Joel 2:7

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Depicting the regular military order of their advance, 'One locust not turning a nail's breadth out of his own place in the march' (Jerome). Compare Proverbs 30:27, "The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands." Verse 8. NEITHER SHALL ONE THRUST ANOTHER - i:e., press upon so as to thrust his next neighbour out of his place, as usually occurs in a large multitude. WHEN THEY FALL UPON THE SWORD - literally, among the darts or missiles. THEY SHALL NOT BE WOUNDED - because they are protected by defensive armour (Grotius). They had a kind of gorget round their neck, and a soldier-like helm on their heads. Maurer...

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 7. _LIKE MIGHTY MEN-LIKE MEN OF WAR_ (_and as horsemen_, Joel 2:4)] The prophet does not say _they are such_, but they _resemble_. They are _locusts_; but in their operations they are LIKE the above. _THEY SHALL NOT BREAK THEIR RANKS_] See the account on Joel 2:2, from Dr. _Shaw_....

THEY SHALL RUN LIKE MIGHTY MEN - They are on God’s message, and they linger not, “but rejoice to run their course” Psalms 19:5. “The height of walls cannot hinder the charge of the mighty; they enter not by the gates but over the walls” , as of a city taken by assault. People can mount a wall few at a time; the locusts scale much more steadily, more compactly, more determinately, and irresistibly. The picture unites the countless multitude, condensed march, and entire security of the locust with the might of warriors. THEY SHALL MARCH EVERY ONE ON HIS WAYS - There is something awful and majestic in the well-ordered flight of the winged locusts, or their march while yet unwinged. “This,” says Jerome, “we have seen lately in this province (Palestine). For when the hosts of locusts came, and filled the air between heaven and

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

THEY SHALL RUN LIKE MIGHTY MEN,.... Like men of war, in a hostile way, as soldiers run upon their enemy with undaunted courage and bravery. Bochart from Pisidas describes the locusts' manner of fighting, who says, they strike not standing, but running: THEY SHALL CLIMB THE WALL LIKE MEN OF WAR; scale the walls of cities as besiegers do; walls and bulwarks cannot keep them out; all places are accessible to them, walled cities, towns, yea, even houses, Exodus 10:6; AND THEY SHALL MARCH EVERYONE ON HIS WAYS; in his proper path, following one another, and keeping just distance: AND THEY SHALL NOT BREAK THEIR RANKS; or "pervert their ways", as the word signifies in the Arabic language, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, observe; that is, decline not from their paths, as the Septuagint version; proceed in an orderly way, keep rank and file

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

MEN. Heir plural of _'enosh_. App-14....

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)....