Joel 1:16-2:17
Dealing with trauma
Message 2, the second of four messages in Joel, expands on the first message as it describes reactions to the locust invasion – how the people did react compared to Yahweh’s expectations. This message, however, is blended into teaching about how to prepare for a literal enemy army invasion. It is presented metaphorically so that helps the message to still speak to us today as we experience loss, trauma and suffering. It features Yahweh’s perspective on suffering and how he expects us to understand suffering.
You may find it helpful to have an overview of the poetic layout of this message while reading through the following. Use the link to print (single A4 page) or view on a separate screen: Joel message 2 – overview.
| Stanza 1 | The ‘natural,’ normal response to suffering |
| A | Focus on own loss and suffering |
| 16 Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes – joy and gladness from the house of our God? 17 The seeds are shrivelled beneath the clods. The storehouses are in ruins, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up. 18 How the cattle moan! The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering. | |
| B | Want Yahweh to resolve the loss and suffering |
| 19 To you, O Yahweh, I call, for fire has devoured the open pastures and flames have burned up all the trees of the field. 20 Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the open pastures. | |
| C | Gather together to grumble in a fearful and negative response |
| 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh is coming. It is close at hand – 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. | |
| Stanza 2 | Description of the suffering |
| D | Land of Israel |
| 3 Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste – nothing escapes them. | |
| E | Speeding army |
| 4 They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. 5 With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, | |
| F | Overpowering army |
| like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. 6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. | |
| G | Individual soldiers |
| 7 They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. | |
| F1 | Overpowering army |
| 8 They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defences without breaking ranks. | |
| E1 | Speeding army |
| 9 They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. | |
| D1 | The universe |
| 10 Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. | |
| Stanza 3 | How Yahweh wants us to understand suffering |
| A1 | Focus is on Yahweh who is in control and is responsible |
| 11 Yahweh thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of Yahweh is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? | |
| B1 | Yahweh instructs about what he expects |
| 12 ‘Even now,’ declares Yahweh, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing – grain offerings and drink offerings for Yahweh your God. | |
| C1 | Gather everyone together in worship that features repentance and seeks Yahweh’s glory and fame |
| 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. 17 Let the priests, who minister before Yahweh, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Yahweh. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?” |
Link to Joel – Message 3
Written: 19 February 2025
Published: 22 April 2025