Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 4

 The Day of the Lord

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Joel 2:4

The appearance of... The resemblance of the locust’s head to that of a horse is striking, so much so that the prophet reiterates the word “appearance.” Horses were not used for agricultural purposes in ancient times, but were the most feared military equipment (Exo. 15:1, 19; Deut. 20:1; Jos. 11:4).

The simile continues with “as of chariots” (verse 5), “Like a mighty people” (verse 5), “like mighty men” (verse 7); and “like soldiers” (verse 7).

The noise these locusts would make would sound like many horse hooves. They can destroy an entire farm in just a few minutes.

Rev. 9:7 “And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.”

In the context of the overall comparison to locusts, the invading force is likened to an army (Joel 2:5) consisting of horses… cavalry, and chariots (Joel 2:4-5). Such an association is facilitated by three facts: (1) The heads of locusts and horses are similar in appearance. The German and Italian words for “locust” literally mean “hay-horse” and “little horse,” respectively (Wolff, Joel and Amos, p. 45, n. 46; cf. also Driver, The Books of Joel and Amos, p. 52).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 5

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:5 “And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,”

This ancient prophecy from (Mic. 5:2). was written in the eighth century B.C. The original prophecy, not quoted in full by Matthew, declared the deity of Israel’s Messiah: “From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago from the days of eternity.”

The answer to Herod’s question was simple, because Micah the prophet had given the precise location centuries before: the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). This answer from the people’s chief priests and teachers of the Law (scribes, KJV) was apparently carried back to the Magi by Herod himself.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 3

 The Day of the Lord

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. Joel 2:3

A fire devoureth... This is not to be understood of the heat of the sun, or of the great drought that went before and continued after the locusts; but of them themselves, which were like a consuming fire. Wherever they came, they devoured all green grass, herbs, and leaves of trees, the same as fire does stubble.

They sucked out the juice and moisture of everything they came to, and what they left behind shriveled up and withered away, as if it had been scorched with a flame of fire.

the land is... Abounding with fields and vineyards, set with fruitful trees, planted with all manner of pleasant plants, and all kind of corn growing upon it, and even resembling a paradise.

and behind them... All green grass eaten up, the corn of the field devoured, the vines and olives destroyed, the leaves and fruit of them quite gone, and the trees themselves stripped of their bark.

So that there was just the same difference between this country before the calamities described came upon it, and what it was after, as between the Garden of Eden, or a paradise, and the most desolate wilderness; such ravages were made by the locusts, and by those they resembled.

and nothing shall... No herb: plant, or tree, could escape the locusts; nor any city, town, or village, nor scarce any particular person, could escape them.

The magnitude of locusts, spoken of here, would easily turn a Garden of Eden into a very desolate place, as if it had burned. Perhaps, the farmers tried to burn the locusts out, and the fire came from there. It is possible; also, that God sent fire on the crops and burned them up.

The invaders, like the locusts in Joel 1:1-20, are compared to a fire that consumes everything in its path (cf. Joel 1:19). Fruitful lands, whose lush growth was comparable to the Garden of Eden (cf. Gen. 2:8-9), would become a desert waste.

The destructive power of the Lord’s army

Again, the invaders, like the locusts in Joel 1:1-20, are compared to a fire that consumes everything in its path (cf. Joel 1:19). Fruitful lands, whose lush growth was comparable to the Garden of Eden (cf. Gen. 2:8-9), would become a desert waste. The reality behind this figure is the devastating effect of a huge, invading army on the land (cf. Deut. 28:49-51; Isa. 1:7; Jer. 5:17. The words nothing escapes them may allude to Exo. 10:5, 10:15.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 4

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:4 “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.”

the chief priests... Heads of the 24 courses (1Ch. 24:1-31) and of the council (Greek: Sanhedrin, Acts 5:21).

and scribes of... Referred to 120 times in the Bible. Formerly secretaries to kings (2Sam. 8:17; 20:25; 2Kgs. 12:10; 22:3-12). Later, they were copyists and interpreters of the Scriptures and laws of Israel, keepers of all records, and were the lawyers and schoolmasters in Israel (Ezr. 7:6-21; Neh. 8:1-13; Mat. 23:2-34; Mark 9:11; 14:43; 15:1; Luke 5:17; 22:66; 23:10; Acts 4:5; 5:34; 1Tim. 1:7).

These men that he gathered were the rabbis, the religious leaders of that day; the men who knew the law and knew of the promise of Messiah. In the Old Testament, it was prophesied that Christ would be born in Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2).

Again, He therefore called the Jewish scholars together and inquired where the Christ was to be born (Mat. 2:4). Interestingly Herod connected the One “born king of the Jews” (Mat. 2:2) with “the Christ,” the Messiah. Obviously Israel had a messianic hope and believed that the Messiah would be born.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 2

 The Day of the Lord

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Joel 2:2

Darkness and gloominess... These features describe the blackness of a locust invasion, so thick that it blots out the sun with its deadly living cloud of insects.

Such terms are often common figures for misery and calamity in the Old Testament (Isa. 8:22; 60:2; Jer. 13:16; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph. 1:15), and past visitations of the Lord (Exo. 10:12; 19:16-19; 24:16; Deut. 4:12; 5:22-23).

This darkness can be of a spiritual nature, or it could be dark because of the number of locusts. There is a third possibility as well.

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”

Perhaps, all three of these things are spoken of here. In the physical sense, the locusts are so thick that it is dark as night. The fact that they had eaten all vegetation would bring great gloominess. Perhaps, the fact that there were 4 different types of locusts at once was unique to this area.

Darkness, both physical and spiritual, comes with judgment from God. We must remember this is a judgment from God.

a great people... Seven Proofs that These People Are Supernatural:

1. There have never before been any like them appearing on earth before (Joel 2:2).

2. Nor will there be any like them again for many generations—until the end of the Millennium when Satan and his angels and demons will appear on earth in an effort to take it over, at which time God will send this army of heaven against them (Joel 2:2; Isa. 24:22; Rev. 20:7-10).

3. A fire will devour before them (Joel 2:3; Eze. 38:17-21; 2Thes. 1:7-10).

4. They will be riding horses or be in chariots (Joel 2:4). This is pictured several times of God’s army (2Kgs. 2:11-12; 6:16-19; Zec. 1:7-11; 6:1-8; Rev. 19:11, 19:14, 19:21).

5. They will not be hurt even if they fall upon a sword (Joel 2:8).

6. Different from men, they are able to climb walls; they will climb upon the houses and enter into the windows like a thief (Joel 2:9).

7. They are the Lord’s army and He will be leading them personally (Joel 2:11). His army is definitely spoken of as being all the holy angels and the resurrected saints from heaven (Zec. 14:4-5; Mat. 16:27; 24:31; 25:31; 2Thes. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21).

The day of the Lord is described as a day of darkness and gloom… of clouds and blackness (cf. Zeph. 1:15). The reference to intense darkness following the locust plague of Joel 1:1-20 recalls Exo. 10:1-29, where the same order of events appears. Darkness and clouds — often associated with the Lord in His role as the mighty victorious Warrior (cf. Deut. 4:11; 5:22-23; Psm. 18:9, 18:11; 97:2) — here symbolize both judgment and destruction (cf. Jer. 13:16; Eze. 30:3, 30:18; 32:7-8; 34:12; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph. 1:15).

The innumerable size of the invading force receives special attention. Like the rays of the morning sun (dawn) its hosts will cover the horizon. This army is said to be more awesome than any that had ever come or would come. The hyperbolic language may echo Exo. 10:14. If so, it emphasizes that the “locusts” of Joel 2:1-11 would be even more overwhelming than those that overran Egypt. Something even worse than the Egyptian plagues was about to engulf the land!

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 3

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:3 “When Herod the king had heard [these things], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Herod the king... Herod the Great, son of Antipater (an Idumean) and Cypros (an Arabian woman). Antipater was made Procurator of Judea by Julius Caesar in 47 B.C. Herod was made governor of Galilee when he was 25 years old and was made king of Judea in 37 B.C. He rebuilt the Jewish temple (John 2:20). At his death in 4 B.C. his kingdom was divided. His son Herod Antipas reigned over Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 (Luke 3:1-2). He killed John the Baptist (Mat. 14:1). His son, Archelius, was made ruler of Judea and Samaria (Mat.2:22). He is called "Philip" in Mat. 14:3. Philip was succeeded by Herod Agrippa I in A.D. 37. In A.D. 40 he took over all the original territory of Herod the Great. He is mentioned in Acts 12:1-25. He was succeeded by Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13; 26:32).

Herod was troubled, because he believed this person (born King of the Jews), would dethrone him. When it speaks of “all Jerusalem”, it means people who might lose their standing, if a new king were enthroned.

It is no surprise that King Herod… was disturbed when the Magi came to Jerusalem looking for the One who had been “born King” (Mat. 2:2). Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 b.c. to 4 b.c. This fact caused most of the Jews to hate him and never truly to accept him as king, even though he did much for the country.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 1

 

The Day of the Lord

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Joel 2:1

Blow ye the... Blowing the trumpet was a call to war (Joel. 2:15; 3:1-16). In the ancient world, horns were used to gather people for special occasions or to warn of danger (Exo. 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18; Num. 10:1-10; Isa. 27:13; Amos 3:6; Zeph. 1:14-16; Zec. 9:14; 1Thes. 4:16). The term here refers to a ram’s horn.

This is the call to worship with the blowing of the trumpet here. The trumpet blowing is an alarm that they must gather and repent of their sins. I would say it is time today to blow the warning trumpet in the church. God will not always look the other way for the abominable sins that are going on in our nation today.

Homosexuality, which God speaks of as an abomination, is an accepted lifestyle in our land. Profanity is so commonplace, even little children know the words. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

let all the... Their trembling was because of the sins they had committed. Our trembling should be for the same reason. Just as John the Baptist shouted, Repent, for the Lord is coming, it should be the cry of every Christian today. The Lord is coming. The "day of the LORD" speaks of a time of judgment.

The Coming Day of the Lord

In this section the theme in Joel 1:15 is more fully developed as details about the approaching day of the Lord are given. Joel spoke of the Lord as a mighty Warrior-King leading His powerful army into battle. If one posits a preexilic date, the Assyrians or Babylonians may be in view. Both are pictured in the Old Testament as instruments of the Lord’s judgment (cf. Isa. 10:5-15 on Assyria; and Jer. 27:4-11; 51:20-25; Hab. 1:5-12 on Babylon). Other Bible scholars, who hold a preexilic date, say the army in Joel 2:1-11 is eschatological, possibly equated with the army in Joel 2:20; 3:9, 3:12; Dan. 11:40; and Zec. 14:2.

If a postexilic date is taken, it is uncertain to which nation the section alludes. The army would then take on a more indefinite, apocalyptic character (cf. Wolff, Joel and Amos, pp. 7, 42), perhaps representing Israel’s enemies in general.

As noted under “Major Interpretive Problems” in the Introduction, this invading force is described in locust-like terms to establish continuity with Joel 1:1-20. At the same time the comparisons to a literal army (Joel 2:4-5, 2:7) hint at the reality in view.

Within this section, four units are discernible (Joel 2:1-2, 2:3-5, 2:6-9, 2:10-11), the last three being introduced by “before them” (Joel 2:3, 2:10) or “at the sight of them” (Joel 2:6). Joel 2:1-2 correspond to Joel 2:10-11 thematically, forming a bracket around the section. These two units focus on the fearful response caused by the approaching army (Joel 2:1, 2:10), the darkness which accompanies it (Joel 2:2, 2:10), and its extraordinary size (Joel 2:2, 2:11). Two of these motifs appear (in reverse order) at the center of the section. Joel 2:5 refers to the army’s great size and Joel 2:6 to the response of fear by people from many nations. Two motifs appear in Joel 2:3-5 : the army is like a destructive fire (Joel 2:3), and it charges relentlessly ahead (Joel 2:4-5). Both ideas are repeated in Joel 2:5 and Joel 2:7-9, respectively.

The nearness of the Lord’s army

The section begins with a call of alarm, emphasizing the nearness of the invader. The trumpet (šôp̬ār) was a ram’s horn, blown by a watchman to alert the people of great danger (cf. Jer. 4:5-6; Eze. 33:2-6). The appropriate response was fear (tremble; cf. Amos 3:6), especially in this instance since the day of the Lord was coming. Holy hill (cf. Psm. 2:6; 3:4; 15:1; 24:3; 78:54; Dan. 9:16, 9:20; Oba. 1:16; Zeph. 3:11) refers to the temple mount.