Joel 2:5

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. LIKE THE NOISE OF CHARIOTS - referring to the loud sound caused by their wings in motion, or else the movement of their hind legs. ON THE TOPS OF MOUNTAINS. Maurer connects this with "they," i:e., the locusts, which first occupy the higher places, and thence descend to the lower places, while they are on the former, which no chariots can reach, shall yet be "like the noise of chariots." It may refer (as in the English version) to "chariots," which make most noise in crossing over rugged heights. But I prefer taking it, "like the noise of chariots, on the tops of mountains shall they (the locusts) leap....

_Like the sound of chariots. _They expound מרכבות _merecabut_, chariots, though the Hebrews rather think them to be harnesses or saddles as we call them; but yet I prefer to view them as chariots; for what the Prophet says, that they _shall leap on the tops of mountains _like the sound of chariots, would not be suitably applied to the trappings of horses. They then shall leap on tops of mountains — but how? as chariots, that is, they shall come with great force, or make a great and terrible noise. And he speaks of the tops of mountains for there we know the noise is greater when there is any commotion. The Prophet, therefore, does in every way amplify God’s vengeance, that he might awaken the Jews, who by their indifference had too long provoked the Lord’s wrath. _Like the sound, he says, of the flame of fire, _or of a fiery flame, _devouring the stubble_. He compares the Assyrians to a...

1-14 The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned i...

Verse 5. _LIKE THE NOISE OF CHARIOTS_] _Bochart_ also remarks: - "The locusts fly with a _great noise_, so as to be heard _six miles off_, and while they are eating the fruits of the earth, the _sound_ of them is like that of a _flame driven by the wind_." - _Ibid_., p. 478....

LIKE THE NOISE OF CHARIOTS ON THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS SHALL THEY LEAP - The amazing noise of the flight of locusts is likened by those who have heard them, to all sorts of deep sharp rushing sounds. One says , “their noise may be heard six miles off.” Others , “within a hundred paces I heard the rushing noise occasioned by the flight of so many million of insects. When I was in the midst of them, it was as loud as the dashing of the waters occasioned by the mill-wheel.” : “While passing over our heads, their sound was as of a great cataract.” : “We heard a noise as of the rushing of a great wind at a distance.” : “In flying they make a rushing rustling noise, as when a strong wind blows through trees.” : “They cause a noise, like the rushing of a torrent.” To add another vivid description , “When a swarm is advancing, it seems as though brown clouds were rising from the horizon, which,...

EXPOSITION JOEL 2:1 These verses contain a further description of the calamity occasioned by the locusts and the appearance presented by them; the calling of a congregational meeting for penitence and prayer; the reason assigned in the coming of the day of the Lord. JOEL 2:1 BLOW YE THE TRUMPET (margin, cornet) in Zion, AND SOUND AN ALARM (or, cause it to sound) IN MY HOLY MOUNTAIN. The _shophar_, or far-sounding horn, and probably the _chatsoterah_,_ _the _hazar_ or silver trumpet, were called into requisition. The priests are urged with great vehemence, as _tiqu shophar _and _hariu _imply, to apprise the people that the day of Jehovah's terrible judgment was near

LIKE THE NOISE OF CHARIOTS ON THE TOPS OF THAT MOUNTAINS SHALL THEY LEAP,.... The motion of the locusts is leaping from place to place; for which the locusts have legs peculiarly made, their hindermost being the longest; wherefore Pliny i observes, that insects which have their hindermost legs long leap locusts; to which agrees the Scripture description of them: "which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; even those of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind", Leviticus 11:21; which words, as Dr. Shaw k, observes, may bear this construction: "which have knees upon" or "above their [hinder] legs, to leap withal upon the earth"; and he observes, that the הארבה, "locust", has the two hindermost of its legs or feet much stronger, larger, and longer, than any of the foremost; in them the knee, or the articulation of the leg and thigh, is distinguished by a remarkable

II. THE COMING DAY OF THE LORD: THE REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION OF ISRAEL CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The alarm sounded and the day at hand (Joel 2:1) _ 2. The invading army from the north (Joel 2:3) 3. The repentance of the people and cry for help (Joel 2:12) 4. “Then.” The great change (Joel 2:18) 5. Promises of restoration, and the early and latter rain (Joel 2:19) 6. The outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28) 7. Deliverance in Mount Zion

LET THE ALARM BE SOUNDED, FOR THE LOCUSTS ARE PRECURSORS OF THE DAY OF YAHWEH. Speaking in Yahweh's name the prophet bids the priests sound the alarm from Mt. Zion, that all the community may realise that the dreaded Day of Yahweh is approaching. All the mountains, which dawn covers with light, are covered with blackness by the unprecedented hordes of locusts (Exodus 10:1 *). The land they have traversed is left bare as though fire had scorched it, a dreary waste; and so fast do they eat into the fertile country before them that it seems as though they were a flame licking up what comes in its way. Like horses in appearance (Revelation 9:7) the resemblance about the head and mouth has often been remarked they are like them too in the speed of their onrush. The rustling of their wings as they fly over the m

LIKE THE NOISE, &c. Compare Revelation 9:9. Connect this with the end of Joel 2:4. ON THE TOPS, &c. The Hebrew accents connect this with the leaping, not with the chariots. LEAP. rattle along. AS. STRONG PEOPLE. Compare Joel 2:2. Not locusts. The symbol must not be confused with what is symbolized....