v. 5 — “Drunkards” — drunkenness is the national sin that prophets condemn (especially Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos). The drunkards are addressed because the locusts had destroyed the vine that produces the grapes from which the wine is made.
vv. 6, 7 — Locusts are compared to an invading army — indeed they were just as destructive.
v. 8 — The drunkard is to mourn like a young bride for a departed husband. This is the first group called to mourn.
v. 9 — The priests are to mourn because no longer will there be meal and wine for the offerings.Evidently Joel is a prophet to Judah, as he makes several references to the house of the Lord (see also vv. 13, 14).
v. 10 — This total devastation of the land is the result of the plague of locusts. The nation has become a disaster area. The Lord calls ten times upon different segments of the population to mourn and repent (vv. 8, 11, 13, 14) by doing ten things.
vv. 11, 12 — Second group called to mourn — the farmers.Third group called to mourn — the fruitgrowers.
v. 13 — Fourth group called to mourn — the priests.Fifth group called to mourn — ministers of the altar (to lie all night in sackcloth).Sixth group called to mourn — ministers of God (to lie all night in sackcloth).
v. 14 — Seventh group — sanctify a fast.Eighth group — call a solemn assembly.Ninth group — gather elders together in the Lord’s house.Tenth group — elders and inhabitants to cry aloud to God.
Comments