Scriptural text: Joel 1:1-4; 2:18-31
Lesson Background: During the time that Joel prophesied, possibly between 835 and 796 B.C., the people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they turned to self-centeredness, idolatry, and sin. Joel was appointed by God to warn the Southern Kingdom of Judah of God’s impending judgment because of their sins and to urge them to turn back to God.
God Will Restore the Nation (Joel2:2125):The people are no longer to be afraid (Joel 2:21). A number of disasters had hit the “land” causing desolation (Joel 2:2-12). In addition, invading armies had aided in destroying the ” land.” This part of God’s judgment upon Judah, referred to by Joel as “the Day of the Lord.” Although the “land” was desolate, God commanded it to be “be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.” Just as God “will do great things” by restoring His people after He had judged them with the Babylonian Captivity. He will also restore their “land.” The destroyed “land” will be watered and made fruitful. For we know if God said it, it will come to pass (Numbers 23:19).
The land will be fruitful (Joel 2:21-25). (v. 22) “Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.” First, God promised that “the pastures of the wilderness do spring.” God promises the “pastures” which the locusts had left as bare as the “wilderness”, shall again “spring” or become green. Second, as a result of the destruction done to the land, the trees failed to bare any “fruit.” But when God restores the nation of Judah, the “trees” shall again “bear her (their) fruit.” God promised that “the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.”
(vs. 23) “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He has given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” The “former rain” refers to the “rain” that normally came in Israel during autumn (see Psalm 48:6) or during the Jewish month of Tishri which coincides with September or October. The land was experiencing a drought because of the people’s sins, and God had cut- off this early or “former rain.” And to demonstrate His mercy, God said that He would send “the former rain moderately” meaning that the “rain” would come heavy enough to prepare the soil for planting new crops, but not heavy enough to cause floods and turn into judgment. The “latter rain” would once again fall during the spring “in the first month” which is Nisan or Abib on the Jewish calendar which coincides with our March /April.
(v. 24). “And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.” The threshing “floors” would be useful for they will be “full of wheat.” In addition, God said that “the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.” The term “vats” probably refer to the barrels that were used to catch the juice from the grapes and the “oil” from the olives after they were crushed or treaded upon into the “wine” presses into the vats or barrels.
God’s Promise To Be With His People (Joel 2:26-27). “They shall not be ashamed (Joel 2:26). This verse says “And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath deal wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” As a result of God restoring what Israel had lost due to the devastation of the land and famine, they had much to look forward to. God said they “shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied.” Then God declared that this reversal of fortunes will cause the people to “praise the name of the LORD your God that hath dealt wondrously with you.” But once God hath dealt wondrously with them and restored them to their covenant position, they would “never (again) be ashamed.”
References: International Sunday School Commentary KJV 2022-2023