Joel 1:10

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. THE FIELD IS WASTED, THE LAND MOURNETH - differing in that "field" [ saadeh (H7704)] means the open unenclosed country; "land," the rich RED soil [ 'ªdaamaah (H127), from a root, 'aadam (H119), to be red] fit for cultivation. Thus, 'a man of the field,' in Hebrew, is a hunter; a man of the ground or land, an agriculturist (Genesis 25:27). Field and land are here personified. THE NEW WINE, [ tiyrowsh (H8492)] - from a Hebre...

The Prophet goes on here with the same subject, and uses these many words to give more effect to what he said; for he knew that he addressed the deaf, who, by long habit, had so hardened themselves that God could effect nothing, at least very little, by his word. This is the reason why the Prophet so earnestly presses a subject so evident. Should any one ask what need there was of so many expressions, as it seems to be a needless use of words; I do indeed allow that all that the Prophet wished to say might have been expressed in one sentence, as there is here nothing intricate: but it was not enough that what he said should be understood, except the Jews applied it to themselves, and perceived that they had to do with God; and to make this application they were not disposed. It is not then without reason that the Prophet labors here, and enforces the same thing in many words. Hence he sa...

8-13 All who labour only for the meat that perishes, will, sooner or later, be ashamed of their labour. Those that place their happiness in the delights of sense, when deprived of them, or disturbed in the enjoyment, lose their joy; whereas spiritual joy then flourishes more than ever. See what perishing, uncertain things our creature-comforts are. See how we need to live in continual dependence upon God and his providence. See what ruinous work sin makes. As far as poverty occasions the decay of piety, and starves the cause of religion among a people, it is a very sore judgment. But how blessed are the awakening judgments of God, in rousing his people and calling home the heart to Christ, and his salvation!...

THE FIELD IS WASTED, THE LAND MOURNETH - As, when God pours out His blessings of nature, all nature seems to smile and be glad, and as the Psalmist says, “to shout for joy and sing” Psalms 65:13, so when He withholds them, it seems to mourn, and, by its mourning, to reproach the insensibility of man. Oil is the emblem of the abundant graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and of the light and devotion of soul given by Him, and spiritual gladness, and overflowing, all-mantling charity....

EXPOSITION JOEL 1:1 THE WORD OF THE LORD THAT CAME TO JOEL THE SON OF PETHUEL. The name Joel signifies "Jehovah is God," or "whose God is Jehovah." We read in Scripture of several of the same name, but the prophet is distinguished as "the son of Pethuel," a name signifying "the sincerity of God," or "godly simplicity." We are not certain of the exact period at which Joel prophesied, but he is generally believed to have been the earliest prophetic writer of the southern kingdom, and one of the earliest of the twelve minor prophets, while Jonah is generally thought to have been the earliest prophetic writer whose book has found a place in the sacred canon. It is at least certain that Joel preceded Amos, who begins his prophecy with a passage from Joel (comp. Joel 3:16 wi

THE FIELD IS WASTED,.... By the locust, that eat up all green things, the grass and herbs, the fruit and leaves of trees; and also by the Chaldeans trampling on it with their horses, and the increase of which became fodder for them: THE LAND MOURNETH; being destitute, nothing growing upon it, and so looked dismally, and of a horrid aspect; or the inhabitants of it, for want of provision: FOR THE CORN IS WASTED; by the locusts, and so by the Assyrian or Chaldean army, before it came to perfection: THE NEW WINE IS DRIED UP: in the grape, through the drought after mentioned: or, "is ashamed" r; not answering the expectations of men, who saw it in the cluster, promising much, but failed: THE OIL LANGUISHETH; or "sickens" s; the olive trees withered; the olives fell off, as the Targum, and so the oil failed: the corn, wine, and oil, are particularly mentioned, not only as being the chief...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS II. THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD: THE RUIN, THE REPENTANCE AND THE RESTORATION III. THE EVENTS OF THE DAY OF THE LORD: ISRAEL'S ENEMIES JUDGED AND THE KINGDOM ESTABLISHED I. THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The prophet's appeal (Joel 1:1) _ 2. The call to the drunkards (Joel 1:5) 3. The call to the people and the priests (Joel 1:8) 4. The day of the Lord and the suffering land (Joel 1:15) 5. The prayer of the prophet (Joel 1:19)...

THE DISTRESS CAUSED BY THE PLAGUE. Joel 1:5. The wine-bibbers no censure is implied; they are mentioned first because of the contrast between their accustomed merriment and the tears they are bidden to shed are summoned to arouse from their drunken sleep and bemoan the devastation of the vineyards. The many-mouthed host of invaders (for nation _cf._ Proverbs 30:25 f.) has wrought such destruction that it is likened to a ravening lion. Vine and fig-tree are stripped bare, so that the twigs splinter and the branches gleam white. [ JOEL 1:6 B. The comparison with lions-' teeth (Revelation 9:8) is very apt, for in proportion to i

Part I. Chap. Joel 1:2 to Joel 2:17 Description of the present calamity (ch. 1.). The terrible "Day of Jehovah," of which it is the harbinger (Joel 2:1-11), but which may yet be averted by the nation's timely repentance (Joel 2:12-17)....

_A CALL TO REPENTANCE -- JOEL 1:8-13:_ The nation of Judah would suffer severe anguish. The farmers planted and tended his crops but it was all in vain. The crops were destroyed by the locust and by the army before the harvest. The people would mourn like a virgin for the husband of her youth. The picture is that of a young woman that was put away by her husband. She was then forced to live as a virgin. She would be girded with sackcloth and would be in a state of mourning. The fulfillment of this would be when Judah was sent away from God and made to live in a strange land. The destruction would be so great in the land that the priest in the Temple would not have enough grain or drink offering to give to God. The land faced total devastation. They needed God help but they could not even offer the sacrifices He required. The harvest was a complete loss. The wheat, barley, figs, vin