Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 22

 

Joel 2:21-24

The Lord Had Pity

Each of the three elements in Joel 2:20-21 is repeated and/or expanded in these verses. The repeated affirmation that the Lord has done great things is followed by the expanded charges, be not afraid (Joel 2:22) and be glad and rejoice (Joel 2:23).

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Joel 2:22

Be not afraid... The first charge was directed to the wild animals, which had been affected so adversely by the locust invasion and accompanying drought (cf. Joel 1:20). The effects of that judgment would be completely reversed. The open pastures (cf. Joel 1:19) would again bring forth grass and vegetation. The trees and vines would again yield their fruit (cf. Joel 1:7, 1:12, 1:19).

יָרֵא

yârê'

yaw-ray'

A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten: - affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

ye beasts...

בְּהֵמָה

b^ehêmâh

be-hay-maw'

From an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collectively): - beast, cattle.

for the pastures... The 3rd section of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:12-32, unfulfilled; will be fulfilled in the restoration). Next, Joel 3:1.

Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1.Then (when Israel repents as commanded in Joel 2:12-17) the Lord will be jealous for His land, and pity His people (Joel 2:18). Grass in abundance springs up in them, and covers them, so that there was plenty of food for the beasts of the field.

the pastures...

נָאָה

nâ'âh

naw-aw'

From H4998; a home; figuratively a pasture: - habitation, house, pasture, pleasant place.

for the tree... Brings forth and bears fruit suitable to it, agreeable to its nature.

עֵץ

‛êts

ates

From H6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence wood (plural sticks): - + carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.

the fig tree... Send forth their branches, put forth their buds, their leaves and fruit.

תְּאֵנָה תְּאֵן

t^e'ên t^e'ênâh

teh-ane', teh-ay-naw'

The second form being singular and feminine; perhaps of foreign derivation; the fig (tree or fruit): - fig (tree).

the vine...

גֶּפֶן

gephen

gheh'-fen

From an unused root meaning to bend; a vine (as twining), especially the grape: - vine, tree.

do yield...

נָתַן

nâthan

naw-than'

A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.

their strength...

חֵל חֵיל

chêyl chêl

khale, khale

A collateral form of H2428; an army; also (by analogy) an entrenchment: - army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall.

This and the preceding clause cannot be understood as a reason why the beasts of the field should not be afraid, for they relate not to them, but to men.

And may serve to confirm the mystic sense of the words, as they may refer to the great fruitfulness produced in the wilderness of the Gentile world, through the preaching of the Gospel in the times of the Messiah.

Which are more clearly pointed at (in Joel 2:23); and which were introduced with great outward peace and plenty. And the Jews by the tree bearing her fruit, in the preceding clause, understand barren trees bearing fruit.

All-natural vegetation springs forth to feed the beasts of the field. The fruit trees will abundantly produce fruit, and the vines will bring forth in strength.

The first charge was directed to the wild animals, which had been affected so adversely by the locust invasion and accompanying drought (cf. Joel 1:20). The effects of that judgment would be completely reversed. The open pastures (cf. Joel 1:19) would again bring forth grass and vegetation. The trees and vines would again yield their fruit (cf. Joel 1:7, 1:12, 1:19).