Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 10

The Day of the Lord

 

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: Joel 2:10

earth shall quake... The ground trembles as dust flies along with the growing devastation. Earthquakes and cosmic disruptions are well attested elsewhere as signs accompanying divine appearances (Jud. 5:4; Psm. 18:7; Jer. 4:23-26; Nah. 1:5-6; Mat. 24:7). Joel later refers to these signs (2:31; 3:15).

This is still speaking of the terror the locusts put into the hearts of men. It is also, speaking of the time of the end, when the sun and the moon do not shine. At that time, there will be an earthquake felt around the entire world. This near devastation that Joel is speaking of here, is a type and a shadow of that great and terrible day at the end of the age. The Day of the Lord.

Mark 13:24-25 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,” “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.”

Luke 21:25-26 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

The army’s approach is accompanied by cosmic disorder. The entire area of the ten kingdoms of the antichrist, from earth below to sky above, quivers (cf. shakes and trembles) before the thunderous battle cry of the divine Commander. This cosmic response is a typical poetic description of the Lord’s theophany as Warrior (cf. Jdg. 5:4; Psm. 18:7; 77:18; Isa. 13:13; Joel 3:16). The darkening of the heavenly bodies (cf. Joel 2:2, 2:30; 3:15) is another characteristic of the Lord’s day (cf. Isa. 13:10; Eze. 32:7; Zec. 14:6-7; see also Isa. 34:4).