Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 17

 The day of the Lord

The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. Joel 1:17

The seed is... Here we have the desolation of Israel in the day of the Lord pictured (Joel 1:17-20; 1:7-13). Not only was all to be cut off for the present, but with it, all hope for the future. The scattered seed, as it lay, each under its clod known to God, was dried up, and so decayed.

the garners are... The “treasuries”, or storehouses, having nothing in them, and there being nothing to put into them; Jarchi makes these to be peculiar for wine and oil, both which failed (Joel 1:10).

the barns are... In which the wheat and barley had used to be laid up; but this judgment of the locusts and drought continuing year after year, the walls fell down, and, no care was taken to repair them, there being no use for them; these were the granaries, and, as Jarchi, for wheat particularly.

for the corn... That which sprung up withered and dried away, through the heat and drought: or was “ashamed”; not answering the expectation of the sower.

This speaks of a time, when the farmers have given up. The seed rots in the ground, and does not produce. There is nothing to put in the barn, so the farmer has let it run down.

We see drought had apparently set in as well, for the seeds had shriveled. The clods (Joel 1:17) may be translated, “their (i.e., the farmers’) shovels.” When the farmers dug into the ground to investigate the absence of green life, the shovels uncovered seeds that had not germinated.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 23

 The Birth of Jesus Christ

Verses 23-25: “A virgin” relates to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the prediction found (in Isa. 7:14). Matthew used the Greek word parthenos to translate the Hebrew word almah. His contextual usage of “fulfill” is certainly indicative of his understanding the Isaiah passage to contain a definitely predictive element.

The quotation of Isa. 7:14 follows the Septuagint (LXX), rendering where parthenos is also used to translate the Hebrew almah. There can be no doubt that the Greek term parthenos is always to be translated “virgin.”

The Hebrew almah is the most accurate and precise term for virgin used in the Old Testament. Therefore, Matthew is clearly correct in quoting (Isa. 7:14), as being fulfilled in the virgin birth of Christ.

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Behold, a virgin... The 1st Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Matthew (Mat. 1:23; Isa. 7:14). Next, Mat. 2:6.

Scholars sometimes dispute whether the Hebrew term (in Isa. 7:14), means “virgin” or “maiden.” Matthew is quoting here from the LXX which uses the unambiguous Greek term for “virgin”. Thus Matthew, writing under the Spirit’s inspiration, ends all doubt about the meaning of the word in (Isa. 7:14).

Immanuel, which being... This is a title describing the deity of the person of the Son of God rather than a name actually used by Him. It implies God will come to dwell among His own people, which He did in the person of Christ.

God took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was, is, and always will be, God the Word, who became the Son housed in a body for His stay on the earth. A virgin having a child is beyond the comprehension of worldly people even today, and many have decided that Jesus was not, in fact, born of a virgin.

How foolish it is not to believe that Jesus was, in fact, born of a virgin. A God, so great that He could speak a world into existence, can certainly cause a virgin to have a child. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, thought it was impossible to have a child after she was 90 years old, but she did. You see, with man it is an impossibility, but with God all things are possible.

The unnamed angel also told Joseph that this was in keeping with God’s eternal plan, for the Prophet Isaiah had declared 700 years before that the virgin will be with Child (Mat. 1:23; Isa. 7:14). While Old Testament scholars dispute whether the Hebrew almâh should be rendered “young woman” or “virgin,” God clearly intended it here to mean virgin (as implied by the Gr. word parthenos). Mary’s miraculous conception fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, and her Son would truly be Immanuel… God with us.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 16

 The day of the Lord

Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? Joel 1:16

Is not the... Question 2. Next, Joe. 2:11.

meat cut off... Such an interrogation most strongly affirms; it was a matter beyond all question, but they could see it with their eyes. It was a plain case, and not to be denied, that every eatable thing or that of which food was custom to be made, was cut off by the locusts, or the drought.

yea, joy and... The harvest being perished, there were no firstfruits brought to the temple, which used to be attended with great joy. And the corn and vines being wasted, no meat offerings made of fine flour, nor drink offerings of wine, were offered, which used to make God and man glad.

Nor any other sacrifices, on which the priests and their families lived, and were matter of joy to them; and these they ate of in the temple, or in courts adjoining to it.

The meat, corn, and fruit were all cut off. There was famine in the land. There were no sacrifices, because there was nothing left to sacrifice. This destruction really comes from God. He may use some ruler to finalize the destruction, but it is truly from God who is angry. The loss of foodstuff is a direct judgment from God. The war is indirect, but it comes from God, too.

Joel 1:16-20 contain a detailed description of the aftermath of the locust plague. By again concentrating on the unique nature of this particular event, the prophet supported his contention that the destructive day of the Lord was around the corner (cf. “near” in Joel 1:15).

The people were all too aware (before their very eyes) that their food supply, and with it all reason to rejoice, had disappeared (Joel 1:16).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 22

 The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:22″Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,”

might be fulfilled... Matthew points out fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies no less than a dozen times (2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 26:54-56; 27:9, 35). He quotes from the Old Testament more than 60 times, more frequently than any other New Testament writer, except Paul in Romans.

These words must have brought to Joseph’s mind the promises of God to provide salvation through the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37).

The unnamed angel also told Joseph that this was in keeping with God’s eternal plan, for the Prophet Isaiah had declared 700 years before that the virgin will be with Child (Mat. 1:23; Isa. 7:14).

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 15

 The day of the Lord

 

Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Joel 1:15

Alas for the... The 2nd section of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 1:15-2:11, unfulfilled; will be fulfilled in the day of the Lord, the battle of Armageddon, and the second coming of Christ). Next, Joel 2:12.

Forty-four Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. The day of the Lord is at hand (Joel 1:15).

2. It will be a day of destruction from the Almighty.

3. All worship and rejoicing will be cut off from the temple (Joel 1:16).

4. There will be a crop failure (Joel 1:17).

5. The garners will be desolate.

6. The barns will be broken down.

7. There will be a great drought (Joel 1:18)

8. The pastures and trees will be destroyed (Joel 1:19).

9. The beasts of the field will cry to God because the waters are dried up (Joel 1:20).

10. Fire will devour the pastures of the wilderness.

11. The day of the Lord is near (Joel 2:1).

12. A day of darkness and gloominess.

13. A day of clouds and thick darkness.

14. There will come a great and strong people upon the land (Joel 2:2)

15. There never has been nor ever will be again, even for many generations, a people coming into the land like this.

16. A fire will devour before them (Joel 2:3).

17. Behind them a flame will burn.

18. The land before them will be like the garden of Eden; and what they have gone over will be like a wilderness.

19. Nothing will escape them.

20. Their appearance is like horses and horsemen; so shall they run (Joel 2:4).

21. Their noise will be like chariots on the tops of the mountains (Joel 2:5).

22. It will be like the flame of fire that devours stubble.

23. They will be as a strong people in battle array.

24. Before their face the people will be much pained (Joel 2:6)

25. All faces will gather darkness.

26. They will run like mighty men (Joel 2:7)

27. They will climb the wall like men of war.

28. They will march every one on his ways.

29. They will not break their ranks.

30. They will not thrust one another (Joel 2:8).

31. They will walk every one in his path.

32. When they fall upon the sword they will not be wounded.

33. They will run to and fro in the city (Joel 2:9).

34. They will run upon the wall.

35. They will climb upon the houses.

36. They will enter the windows.

37. The earth will shake before them.

38. The heavens will tremble (Joel 2:10).

39. The sun and moon will be dark.

40. The stars will withdraw their shining.

41. The Lord will be their commander and utter His voice before His army (Joel 2:11).

42. His camp will be very great.

43. He is strong that will execute His word.

44. The day of the Lord will be great and very terrible.

the day of... The day of the Lord is mentioned five times in this prophecy, plainly proving all of it future in that day (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 2:11, 2:31; 3:14). This is the first occurrence of the theme. Later in the book (2:18; 3:1, 18-21), the Day of the Lord (the occasion when God pours out His wrath on man), results in blessing and exoneration for God’s people and judgment toward Gentiles (Isa. 13:6; Eze. 30:3), but here Joel directs the warning toward his own people.

The Day of the Lord is speedily approaching; unless sinners repent, dire consequences await them.

a destruction from... Fifteen Curses of the Day of the Lord

1. A day of destruction from God (Joel 1:15).

2. A day of darkness and gloominess (Joel 2:2).

3. A day of clouds and thick darkness.

4. A day of invasion of earth by the armies of the Lord coming from heaven (Joel 2:2-11).

5. A day of devouring fire destroying all before it (Joel 2:3).

6. A day when men will be much pained and discouraged (Joel 2:6).

7. A day when supernatural beings and all heavenly armies will appear on earth to destroy multitudes (Joel 2:4-11; 3:14).

8. A great and terrible day with only a few living through it (Joel 2:11, 2:31).

9. A day preceded by a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32).

10. A day when all nations gathered against Jerusalem will be destroyed (Joel 3:2-16; Zec. 14:1-5, 14:14-15; 2Thes. 1:7-10; Rev. 19:11-21).

11. A day of war and destruction (Joel 2:1; 3:9-16).

12. A day of judgment for the nations (Joel 3:11-12; Mat. 25:31-46).

13. A day of decision—one to decide the rulership of the earth forever (Joel 3:14-16; Rev. 11:15; 10:11-21; 20:1-10).

14. A day of darkness of the sun, moon, and stars (Joel 3:15; Mat. 24:29-31).

15. A day of great earthquakes (Joel 1:16; Zec. 14:4-5; Rev. 16:17-21).

The Hebrew term “destruction” forms a powerful play on words with the “Almighty.” The notion of invincible strength is foremost; destruction at the hand of omnipotent God is coming.

Again, this had a near fulfillment to then. Now there is also, coming a Day of the Lord at the end of this Gentile age. The judgment of God was upon them for the sins in their lives. The wrath of God will fall upon the disobedient, in our generation as well. It is bad to fall into the hands of the devil or Satan, but it is much worse to fall into the hands of God, when He pours out His wrath.

The significance of the plague

This locust plague was meaningful because of its role as a harbinger of the day of the Lord. The locusts had destroyed the crops in the fields (see esp. Joel 1:10, where the Heb. verb šāḏaḏ is used twice and is trans. “ruined” and “destroyed” in the NIV). Similarly this coming day would be one of destruction (šōḏ, related to the verb šāḏaḏ) from the Almighty (šadday; cf. see Gen. 17:1; this divine name was probably used here because of its similarity in sound to the word šōḏ, “destruction”).

It was natural for the prophet to see this plague as an ominous sign of an extraordinary event. In Egypt a locust plague (Exo. 10:1-20) had preceded the final plagues of darkness (Exo. 10:21-29; cf. Joel 2:2) and death (Exo. 11:1-10; 12:29-30). The Deuteronomic curses threatened locust plagues (Deut. 28:38, 28:42) in conjunction with exile and death (Deut. 28:41, 28:48-57, 28:64-68).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 21

 

Verses 21-22: “Call his name Jesus”: The name of the child Jesus (Hebrew Yehoshua), means “the Lord is Salvation”. Placed early in the New Testament, this statement becomes the foundational concept of the gospel. Jesus, by His very name and nature, is the Savior.

The phrase “that it might be fulfilled” (Greek pleroo), indicates the inevitability of the fulfillment of the words of Isaiah the prophet (in Isaiah 7:14). As well as the fact that Matthew saw the fulfillment in the birth of Christ.

This then points to the very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world, to save sinners. Placed early in the New Testament, this statement becomes the foundational concept of the gospel.

Jesus, by His very name and nature, is the Savior. “That it might be fulfilled”: This phrase indicates the inevitability of the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, as well as the fact that Matthew saw Isaiah’s statement as predictively fulfilled in the birth of Christ.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

And she shall... The 1st New Testament prophecy in Matthew (Mat. 1:21, fulfilled, Mat. 1:25). Next, Mat. 2:13.

call his name... Last of seven persons named before birth: Ishmael (Gen. 16:11); Isaac (Gen. 17:19); Solomon (1Ch. 22:9); Josiah, (325 years before birth, 1Kgs. 13:2; 2Kgs. 22:1); Cyrus (175 years before birth, Isa. 44:28-45:1); John the Baptist (Luke 1:13, 1:60-63); Jesus (Mat. 1:21).

JESUS: for he... Used 983 times in the New Testament It is the earthly name of God’s Son. As God, He was not called Jesus or Christ. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew: Yehowshuwa‛ (rendered "Joshua" 218 times), meaning "Savior" or "God Who is Salvation."

save his people... Greek: sozo. Used 110 times in the New Testament of salvation from sin (Mat. 1:21; Heb. 7:25), danger (Mat. 14:30; 27:42), spiritual conflict (John 12:27; 1Tim. 4:16), sickness (Jas. 5:15), hell (John 3:16-18; Mark 16:16), and slavery (Jude 1:5).

from their sins... Greek: hamartia (see, John 1:29).

The name actually means “Savior”

You see in these Scriptures that Jesus is the Son of God. He had no earthly father. Joseph was not Jesus’ father. God was His Father. Mary furnished the flesh, and God furnished the Spirit.

Even in the name that was chosen for the Son of God to use on this earth, there is a message.

All of this explanation here, of the birth of Jesus is startling to us, but can you imagine how startled, or surprised, Joseph was when an angel told him that Mary was carrying the Messiah. His people had been looking for Messiah all of Joseph’s life. Messiah was to actually live in his home.

The Child Mary carried in her womb was a unique Child, for He would be a Son whom Joseph should name Jesus for He would save His people from their sins. These words must have brought to Joseph’s mind the promises of God to provide salvation through the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37).

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 14

 A Call to Repentance

Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Joel 1:14

Sanctify ye a fast] Sanctify—used three times in Joel:

1. Sanctify a fast (Joel 1:14).

2. Sanctify a fast (Joel 2:15).

3. Sanctify the congregation (Joe 2:16).

The use of the word here, as in all other places in Scripture, indicates setting something apart for a sacred use. Removing what is sometimes called "the old man" is not the idea, as can be seen, for fasts and many other things mentioned in the Bible as being sanctified do not have such to be "taken out." The prophet called the priest to take action, first by example (verse 13), and then by proclamation (verse 14). As the official leaders, it was their duty to proclaim a public fast so that the entire nation could repent and petition the Lord to forgive and restore. Here they were admonished to “consecrate” a fast, denoting its urgent, sacred character.

a solemn assembly... A solemn assembly was a day of restraint, a religious and political gathering of a serious nature (Joel 2:15; 2Ki. 10:20; 2Ch. 7:9; Neh. 8:18; Isa. 1:13). Here it was a call to cry to God for mercy and deliverance. Directives for calling an assembly, generally for uncontrollable purposes (2Chr. 7:9; Neh. 8:18), are given (in Num. 10:3). Parallel in thought to “consecrate a fast,” no work was permitted on such days (Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35; Deut. 16:8).

The fast was used to show the LORD the sincerity of the prayer being prayed. The assembly was not to be one of joy, but sorrow. This is a call of prayer by all of the inhabitants of the land to reach God. The leaders and the ministers were probably, remembering the following Scripture.

2Chr. 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

A call to repentance

The priests were told not only to mourn (Joel 1:13) but also to call a sacred assembly at the temple for all the people. The nation was to fast and cry out to the Lord. Fasting was often associated with repentance (cf. 1Sam. 7:6; Neh. 9:1-2; Jon. 3:5). The attitude that was to accompany this outward act is emphasized in Joel 2:12-17.