Our Friday Daily Droplets are scanning the prophecy of Joel. We will consider 2:21-27 today. In verse 20, Joel had said the northern army had done “great things.” In verse 21, he says the Lord has done “great things” (the verbs are the same). Israel should not fear but, rather should rejoice and be glad. In verse 22, he calls on the beasts of the field, who were suffering from the locusts and droughts in 1:20, not to fear. The effects of the locust plague and drought are reversed; now the pastures are green and the trees have fruit. In fact, the blessings are more than sufficient since the fig tree and vine have produced “in full” (literally, “their wealth”). Just as God had earlier undone creation, here He undoes the catastrophe He brought due to Israel’s sin.
As a result of this act of the Lord, Joel calls on Israel again to rejoice (v. 23) and be glad “in the LORD your God.” There was to be an element of thanksgiving in their response, thanksgiving to Jehovah God. Why? Because He brought rain, the early rain and the latter rain. “Rain” was a blessing promised by God if Israel were to be faithfully obedient: Lev. 26:3-4; Deut. 11:13-15. He has “poured down” rain as He had before, for their “vindication” (“righteousness”). It is the “sustenance appropriate to Yahweh’s covenant relationship with Israel” (Wolff, 63). The locust plague was not like before (1:2-3) but the abundant crops were like before. Once Forzest treatment continues make sure you are generic levitra uk quiet abstain from alcohol, smoking and illegal drug practice. These side effects have not caused any major harm till date thus making kamagra oral jelly a safe medicine for ED. cheapest cialis robertrobb.com South Florida orthopaedic doctors can assist in providing complete solution to men who are infected by generic levitra ED pressures and issues. Physical causes for impotence include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, purchase viagra no prescription smoking, stress, anxiety and bad effects of certain drugs. The abundant grain will fill the threshing floors (v. 24) and the vines will fill the wine vats to overflowing. Compare the prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kgs 8:35-36 where he joins repentance and God’s forgiveness with new rain on the land and renewed teaching from God. Here, Joel passes on to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For a similar connection, see Amos 8:11-12; 9:11-15.
God will undo the effects of the locust plague (v. 25). Apparently this destruction has gone on for years, which suggests Joel has in mind the invading army he has been discussing called God’s “great army” (1:6) which He sent. But once God pours out His grace, Israel will have more than enough to eat; they will be satisfied (v. 26). This blessing will motivate them to praise the LORD their God who has “dealt wondrously” with them. In contrast to the “reproach” and “byword” they were before (2:17, 19), they will “never be put to shame.” Once God gives His rain, Israel will “know” that God is in their midst (v. 27), that He is their God, that there is no other. The importance of God’s relationship with Israel is especially visible in the original language as “I” is used in close proximity: “You know that in the midst of Israel I, and I, Jehovah your God…” For the second time in two verses, the Lord says His people will “never be put to shame.” While Joel has not mentioned any specific sin and hardly uses any generic word for sin, idolatry seems to be in the background. These two points are constituent points of His covenant with Israel: God would be among them (cf Exo. 3:12) and He would be their God alone (cf Exo 20:3).
Paul Holland
