Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Joel 2

Joe 2:1 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;

the day of the LORD cometh

Day (of Jehovah). Joe 2:1-11, 28-32; Joe 3:9-21. (Isa 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21).

Joe 2:3 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.

the garden of Eden

Gen 2:8; 13:10; Isa 51:3.

Joe 2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

shall utter his voice

Joe 3:16; Jer 25:30; Amo 1:2.

his army

To Joe 2:10 inclusive the invading army is described; at Joe 2:11 Jehovah's army. This "army" is described, Rev 19:11-18. The call to repentance is based upon the Lord's promise of deliverance, Joe 2:12-17. At Joel 2:18-20 we have the deliverance (Joe 2:20; see "Armageddon," Scofield Rev 16:14, refs.), and kingdom blessing in Joe 2:21-27. Joe 2:28-32 give the outpouring of the Spirit, and Joe 2:29-32 the cosmical signs preceding the day of the Lord. See Scofield Revelation 19:11-21, note.

Armageddon (battle of). Joe 2:1-11, 20; Joe 3:9-13. (Rev 16:14; 19:21.)

the day of the LORD

Jer 30:7; Amo 5:18; Zep 1:15.

Joe 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

turn ye even to me

Jer 4:1; Hos 12:6; 14:1.

Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

repenteth [See also Joe 2:14.]

Scofield Zechariah 8:14, note.

Joe 2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

meat

Literally meal.

Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

heathen [See also Joe 2:19.]

i.e. nations.

Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

afterward

Cf. Acts 2:17 which gives a specific interpretation of "afterward" (Hebrew acherith = "latter," "last"). "Afterward" in Joe 2:28 means "in the last days" (Greek eschatos), and has a partial and continuous fulfilment during the "last days" which began with the first advent of Christ (Heb 1:2); but the greater fulfilment awaits the "last days" as applied to Israel. See Scofield Acts 2:17, note, for phrase, "the last days."

spirit

Holy Spirit. Joe 2:28, 29; Mic 2:7. (Gen 1:2; Mal 2:15.)

upon all flesh

Joe 2:28-32; Act 2:17-21.

Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD

Rom 10:13.

remnant

Remnant. Amo 5:15. (Isa 1:9; Rom 11:5).