God Promises His Presence

International Sunday School Lesson January 29 2023 Winter #9

Joel 2:21-27 ESV  “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!  (22)  Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.  (23)  “Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.  (24)  “The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.  (25)  I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.  (26)  “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.  (27)  You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Joel 2:21-27 ESV

Notes

Background

• Scofield: Joel, a prophet of Judah, probably exercised his ministry during the reign of Joash (2Ch_22:-12.). In his youth he may have known Elijah, and he certainly was a contemporary of Elisha. The plagues of insects, which were the token of the divine chastening, give occasion for the unveiling of the coming “day of the Lord” (Isa_2:12, refs.), in its two aspects of judgment on the Gentiles and blessing for Israel.
  Joel is in three chief parts: (1) The plague of insects, Joe_1:1-20. (2) The day of the Lord, Joe_2:1 to Joe_3:8. (3) Retrospect of the day of the Lord, and full kingdom blessing, Joe_3:9-21.
• JFB. His predictions were probably delivered in the early days of Joash 870-865 b.c.; for no reference is made in them to the Babylonian, Assyrian, or even the Syrian invasion; and the only enemies mentioned are the Philistines, Phoenicians, Edomites, and Egyptians (Joe_3:4, Joe_3:19). Had he lived after Joash, he would doubtless have mentioned the Syrians among the enemies whom he enumerates since they took Jerusalem and carried off immense spoil to Damascus (2Ch_24:23, 2Ch_24:24). No idolatry is mentioned; and the temple services, the priesthood, and other institutions of the theocracy, are represented as flourishing.
• The first chapter of Joel prophesies about the locust and attack on the crops as punishment for the sins of the people.

Fear Not — Joel 2:21-22

• Psalms 126:1-6 ESV A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. (2) Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” (3) The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. (4) Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (6) He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Rejoice in the Lord — Joel 2:23

• Philippians 4:4 ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
• Romans 12:11-12 ESV Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (12) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Restoration — Joel 2:24-25

• Amos 9:13-14 (ESV) “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. [14] I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.

Eat in Plenty — Joel 2:26

• Psalms 22:26 (ESV) The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

In the Midst — Joel 2:27

• Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.