Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 2

Verses 2-20: The prophet described the contemporary Day of the Lord. The land was suffering massive devastation caused by a locust plague and drought. The details of the calamity (verses 2-12), are followed by a summons to communal penitence and reformation (verses 13-20).

An Invasion of Locusts

Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Joel 1:2

ye old men... The reason he addressed the old men was that they had heard and known much of the past, and what he had to say would make their ears tingle. Among the people of the East reports concerning events of the past were handed down generation after generation for long periods of time. The prophet wanted them to get his message from God clearly, so that they might pass it on to coming generations (Joel 1:2-3). The former term refers to the civil and religious leaders, who in light of their position, were exhorted to lead by example the entire population toward repentance. Again, The reason this is directed to the old men first, is because their wisdom of years would cause them to listen. It is also, for all the inhabitants. This message seems to be for generations to come, and not just for this generation that Joel is speaking to here.

give ear, all... All inhabitants of the land were also commanded to "give ear" or listen to the word of the Lord. They would hear of strange things to come, much that would concern them and their descendants—things not even heard of by their fathers. The gravity of the situation demanded the undivided focus of their senses, emphasizing the need to make a conscious, purposeful decision in the matter. The terminology was commonly used in “lawsuit” passages (Isa. 1:2; Hos. 4:1), intimating that Israel was found guilty and that the present judgment was her “sentence.”

Hath this been... Question 1. Next, Joel 1:16.

The Locust Plague

The opening chapter describes the effects of a severe locust plague which had swept over the land, destroying the agricultural produce on which both man and beast so heavily depended for survival. This disaster signaled an even worse calamity to come — the destructive day of the Lord.

An opening appeal

The prophet opened his message with an appeal to all who were living in the land, headed by the elders, to consider the uniqueness and significance of the disaster which had come on them. The elders were civil leaders who played a prominent part in the governmental and judicial systems (cf. 1Sam. 30:26-31; 2Sam. 19:11-15; 2Kgs. 23:1; Pro. 31:23; Jer. 26:17; Lam. 5:12, 5:14).