COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Joel 2:23-32
After the plague of locusts Yahweh will bless the land with plenty and with his spirit. Today's Lesson 1 is taken from the latest of the prophetic books written in the post-exilic period around 400-350 B.C. Judah experienced a plague of locusts accompanied by drought and famine. Joel calls upon the people to gather in Jerusalem to repent and pray for relief. Because the people obeyed, Joel assures them that Yahweh will give them plenty to make up for the years of the drought. Never again will they be put to shame. But, something more terrible than locusts is coming: the Day of the Lord. Its nearness will be known when Yahweh pours out his spirit upon all citizens and will be accompanied by signs and wonders in the sky and on earth. The promise of th…