Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
J O E L.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter we have, I. A further description of that terrible desolation which should be made in the land of Judah by the locusts and caterpillars, Joel 2:1 - 11 . II. A serious call to the people, when they are under this sore judgment, to return and repent, to fast and pray, and to seek unto God for mercy, with directions how to do this aright, Joel 2:12 - 17 . III. A promise that, upon their repentance, God would remove the judgment, would repair the breaches made upon them by it, and restore unto them plenty of all good things, Joel 2:18 - 27 . IV. A prediction of the setting up of the kingdom of the Messiah in the world, by the pouring out of the Spirit in the latter days, Joel 2:28 - 32 . Thus the beginning of this chapter is made terrible with the tokens of God's wrath, but the latter end of it made comfortable with the assurances of his favour, and it is in the way of repentance that this blessed change is made; so that, though it is only the last paragraph of the chapter that points directly at gospel-times, yet the whole may be improved as a type and figure, representing the curses of the law invading men for their sins, and the comforts of the gospel flowing in to them upon their repentance.
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
J O E L.
W E are altogether uncertain concerning the time when this prophet prophesied; it is probable that it was about the same time Amos prophesied, not for the reason that the rabbin give, "Because Amos begins his prophecy with that wherewith Joel concludes his, The Lord shall roar out of Zion, " but for the reason Dr. Lightfoot gives, "Because he speaks of the same judgments of locusts, and drought, and fire, that Amos laments, which is an intimation that they appeared about the same time, Amos in Israel and Joel in Judah. Hosea and Obadiah prophesied about the same time; and it appears that Amos prophesied in the says of Jeroboam, the second king of Israel, Amos 7:10 . God sent a variety of prophets, that they might strengthen the hands one of another, and that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established. In this prophecy, I. The desolations made by hosts of noxious insects is described, Joel 1:1 - 2Joel 1:1 - 2Joel 1:1 - 2Joel 1:1 - 2 II. The people are hereupon called to repentance, Joel 2:12 - 17Joel 2:12 - 17 III. Promises are made of the return of mercy upon their repentance Joel 2:18 - 32Joel 2:18 - 32 ), and promises of the pouring out of the Spirit in the latter days. IV. The cause of God's people is pleaded against their enemies, whom God would in due time reckon with Joel 3:1 - 21Joel 3:1 - 21 ); and glorious things are spoken of the gospel--Jerusalem and of the prosperity and perpetuity of it.
