ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Joel 1

Joel 1:1–2:17 The Judgment against Judah and the Day of the Lord. This first part of Joel introduces the Lord’s judgment in the form of a locust infestation, drought, and the coming of a great army. These events on the “day of the Lord” are followed by a call to seek the Lord.

1:1–20 Locust Invasion: Forerunner of the Day of the Lord. The first unit (vv. 1–14) describes the devastation that has come upon Judah. This is the reason for the call to lament in the second unit (vv. 15–20).

Joel 1:1 The word . . . came to. This message is from God. The prophet is given the privilege of delivering that message to the people.

Joel 1:2 Elders likely refers to older members of the community.

Joel 1:3 Tell your children. See Deut. 6:4–9.

Joel 1:4 The locust is a kind of grasshopper. Under the right conditions they travel in large swarms and destroy all plant life in their path (cutting . . . swarming . . . hopping . . . destroying).

Joel 1:5 drunkards, drinkers of wine. Both groups are unaware of the coming chaos. They will have no sweet wine to drink when the locusts destroy the vines.

Joel 1:6 Locusts are compared to a nation, powerful as a great army.

Joel 1:7 The vine and fig tree are symbols of a prosperous and peaceful life for Israel, which the Lord who provides it sees as his property.

Joel 1:8 bridegroom of her youth. The people are called to grieve as deeply as a betrothed virgin whose promised husband dies before they are married.

Joel 1:9 offering. Nothing is left for the offerings that accompany the daily burnt offering (see Lev. 1:3–17). priests mourn. Their loss is personal, since they would ordinarily eat a portion of the offering.

Joel 1:10 ground mourns . . . oil languishes. Joel poetically personifies these things as experiencing grief. The presence of grain, wine, and oil is evidence of God’s covenant blessing, and their absence is evidence of his judgment.

Joel 1:13 The commands to put on and lament imitate the actions of the virgin (v. 8). The priests lament because the offering is withheld.

Joel 1:14 Consecrate and gather are further tasks for the priests. a fast . . . cry out. Old Testament fasts are a sign of mourning, repentance, and humility. They are a way of seeking God’s help.

Joel 1:15 The day of the Lord is a major theme in Joel. It can refer to a particular act of judgment, like the devastation of the locusts, or it can refer to the future final judgment. “That day” can also be a blessing. For God’s people, it is also associated with his presence, blessing, and salvation.

Joel 1:17 seed shrivels . . . clods. The precise meaning of these three words is uncertain. Nevertheless, it is clear from what follows that a drought has also come upon the land.

Joel 1:18 the flocks of sheep suffer. Creation suffers because of Israel’s guilt.

Joel 1:19–20 To you, O Lord, I call. The devastation brought by the Lord can be relieved only by him.