Westminster Annotations, Joel 1
ANNOTATIONS ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JOEL.
CHAP. I.
Vers. 2. YE old men] Signifying the Princes, the Priests, and the Governours. Or, such who by reason of old age have seene and heard many things.
hath this been in your dayes] He calleth the Jews to the consideration of Gods judgements, who had now destroyed the fruits of the ground for the space of foure years, which was for their sinnes, and to call them to repentance.
V. 4. That which the palmer-worm hath left] Heb. the residue of the palmer-worm.
hath the locust eaten] A description of a most great spoile made by these vermine, which joyned with an extreme drought, had caused a most cruel dearth.
V. 5. ye dr…nkards] Meaning, that the occasion of their excesse and drunkennesse was taken away.
V. 6. a nation] Joel tels of swarms of Locusts, and Caterpillers like horses, and with lions teeth, spoken of in vers. 4. by a terme improperly attributed to those insects. See Prov. 30. 25, 26.
V. 7. barked my fig-tree] Heb. laid my fig-tree for … barking.
cast it away] Having thus made them unprofitable, men care not now for dressing them, or to look for any fruit from them.
V. 8. Lament] O thou Jerusalem or Judah, mourn grievously.
like a virgin] Espoused, and not yet had ho…e: or presently after her espousals.
for the husband of her youth] Mourn grievously, as a woman which hath lost her husband, to whom she hath been married in her youth: Or her young husband, as elsewhere it is said, a wife of youth, for a young wife. See Prov. 5. 18. Isa. 54. 6. Mal. 2. 15. Others say, by husband is meant one that hath espoused a maid, and died before he came in unto her; or soon after the wedding; because here is speech of the virgins mourning.
V. 9. meat-offering] The extreme dearth hinders them from furnishing their sacred offerings with bread, wine, and oyle, &c. See Exod. 29. 40. Levit. 3. 1.
mourn] Partly because Gods service is interrupted: partly also because they want their ordinarie food, which they go… from the offerings and sacrifices.
V. 10. new wine] All comfort and substance for nourishment is taken away.
dried up] Or, ashamed.
V. 11. O ye husbandmen] Or the husbandmen are confounded, and the vine-dressers howle.
V. 12. …oy is withered away.] He hath relation to the feasts and merriments which were in harvest time, and in time of vintage, Psal. 4. 7. Isa. 16. 10. Jer. 48. 33.
V. 13. Gird your selves] He sheweth that the onelyonly means to avoyd Gods wrath, and to have all things restored, is unfained repentance.
V. 14. Sanctifie ye a fast] Chap. 2. 15. Appoint a time for this holy exercise, and prepare your selves unto it by all acts of piety and devotion.
call a sol…mn assembly] Or, day of restraint. Levit. 23. 36.
the elders] The Magistrates and chiefe of the people.
cry unto the LORD] Pray that he would take away the present evils.
V. 15. Alas] Jer. 30. 7.
for the day of] Isa. 13. 6. We see by these great plagues that utter destruction is at hand.
V. 16. joy and gladnesse] Deut. 16. 11. 14. 15.
V. 17. seed] Heb. grains.
rotten under their clods] Because it could not grow up▪ by reason of the extreme drought, vers. 19, 20.
V. 18. the flocks of sheep are made desolate] Which otherwise feed in the most drie and desert places.
V. 19. the fire hath devoured] The drought hath burnt up the countrey, as if the fire had gone through it.
pastures] Or, habitations.
V. 20. cry also unto thee] Psal. 104. 21. By reason of extreme thirst: so it is said of the young ravens, Psal. 147. 9. and other creatures, Job 39. 3. when by reason of hunger or thirst they lift up their beakes.
CHAP. II.
Vers. 1. BLow ye the trumpet] Or, cor…t. As it were to give notice of the coming of th…se foresaid de…ring creatures; that every one may prepare himself to prevent the scourge, by repentance, and prayer to God to beare it patiently; and to overcome it by faith in his grace.
for the day of the LORD cometh] Chap. 1. 15.
V. 2. of darknesse and of gloominesse] Of affliction and trouble: and it may be he hath relation to the coming of these creatures in great swarmes, whereby the aire may be darkened, vers. 10.
spread upon the mountains] Which shall in an instant cover the whole countrey, even as the morning, or morning clouds and mists spread abroad on a sudden over the tops of hills.
a great people] Chap. 1. 6. & 2. 11. 25.
there hath not been] Exod. 10. 14.
of many generations] Heb. of generation and generation.
V. 3. A fire devoureth before them] These creatures going along to devoure the countrey, which is rich and full of goods, Chap. 1. 19. and after they are gone by, every thing is found gnawen and consumed.
garden of Eden] Gen. 2. 8.
V. 4. The appearance of them] Rev. 9. 7.
V. 5. shall they leap] Rev. 9. 9.
V. 6. all faces shall gather blacknesse] Heb. pot. Through horrour and hunger.
V. 7. not break their] They shall not stop nor stay their pace.
V. 8. fall upon the sword] Or, dart. A terme taken from the meeting of Armies: to signifie, that there will be neither defence nor resistance that can stay this tempest.
V. 9. run to and fro in the citie] A manner of speech taken from a citie wonne by assault.
V. 10. The earth] Hyperbolicall termes, frequent in the Prophets, to signifie a horrible desolation.
quake before them] Heb. before his face. Meaning the people, whereof mention is vers. 2.
the sonne and the moone] This may also be understood in the same manner, as Isa. 13. 10. Ezek. 32. 7. Joel 3. 15. Matt. 24. 29. unlesse it be interpreted, as upon vers. 2.
V. 11. shall utter his voyce] Like a Captaine, incouraging his souldiers: or giving the signe of the battle.
day of the LORD] Jer. 30. 7. Amos 5. 18. Zeph. 1. 15.
V. 12. turn ye] Jer 4. 1.
V. 13. rent your heart] Psal. 51. 17. Mortifie your affections, and serve God with purenesse of heart, and not with ceremonies.
gracious and mercifull] Exod. 43. 6. Psal. 86. 5. Jon. 4▪ 2.
repenteth him of the evil] Out of his infinite mercy he changeth, not his counsell or his will, as being sorrie for having done evill, as men do when they repent: but the effects of his rigour into effects of his mercy.
V. 14. Who knoweth] Amos 5. 15. Jon. 3. 9. Zeph. 2. 3.
return and repent] He speaketh this to stirre them up from their securitie, and not that he doubted of Gods mercies, if they did repent.
a blessing] Namely, the fruits of the earth, growing, and preserved by Gods singular blessing. See Isa. 65. 8.
behind him] After these devourers are gone by.
a meat-offering] Chap. 1. 9.
V. 15. Blow the trumpet] Numb. 10. 3. Namely, the holy trumpet, to call the generall assembly of the people.
sanctifie a fast] Chap. 1. 14.
V. 16. sanctifie the congregation] Appoint by Proclamation, that all men being duly purified according to the Law may come to the Temple, to call upon the Lord with mourning and fasting. See Exod. 19. 10. 22.
gather the children] That as all have sinned, so all may shew forth signes of their repentance, that men seeing the children, which are not free from Gods wrath, might be the more lively touched with the consideration of their own sinnes.
V. 17. between the porch and the altar] Whereof, see 1 King. 6. 3. This was the voyd space, Ezek. 8. 16. where the sacred Ministers prayed, after the sacrifices were offered; called in the New Testament, Solomons Porch, because it was built by him, Act. 3. 11. and 5. 12.
rule over them] Or, use a by-word against them] Thy people being constrained through want to put themselves into bondage to strangers: Or having no means to defend themselves, if the enemie should set upon them.
wherefore should they say among the people] Psal. 42. 10. & 79. 10. & 115. 2. Mic. 7. 10.
V. 18. Then] He sets forth the effects of their precedent prayers.
jealous for his land] He will feele and be moved at the afflictions of his dear people, and for his own glory, which by that means was trodden down by profane nations, Isa. 9. 6.
V. 20. northern army] Namely, that great swarme of the foresaid destroying creatures which came out of the North.
into a land barren] That multitude shall be carried away out of your land, and like a great army it shall be driven into the wildernesse: the vangard into the lake of Sodom, towards the East: and the reerward into the Mediterranean Sea, toward the West, Exod. 10. 19.
because] Or, through, as Psal. 23. 4.
he hath done great things] Heb. he hath magnified to do.
V. 22. their strength] Their fruits and increase, according to the vertue which God hath given them, Gen. 4. 12.
V. 23. the former rain] Or, a teacher of righteousnesse.
moderately] Heb. according to righteousnesse. Namely, at the time of your greatest need, and in that just measure, as is required, for to help the barrennesse which was before. Others, in righteousnesse, that is, bountifully, and lovingly.
will cause to come down] Lev. 26. 4. Deut. 11. 14.
in the first monethmonth] Which was the March Moon, for then beganne that time of the year which was called the latter season; by reason of the fruits which grow ripe, and are gathered therein: at which time rain was most necessary: next to September Moon, which was the other part of the year, called the first season; by reason of tilling and sowing of the ground.
V. 26. shall never be ashamed] Because they shall never pray to me in vaine, at any such time of need.
V. 28. afterward] In the Messias his dayes, I will poure down the gifts of my holy Spirit in abundance; as I have heretofore poured out temporall blessings upon you.
I will poure out my spirit] Isa. 44. 3. Zach. 12. 10. Act. 2. 17.
upon all flesh] All manner of people, without any distinction of nations.
and your sonnes] By the inward vertue of my Spirit, I will inlighten the understanding of mine elect, who of their own nature are but children in knowledge; or young men without exp…rience; or aged men weak of understanding; and will give them a lively and spirituall light of the mysteries of the Gospel, accompanied at certaine times, and in certain persons with prophetick revelations, Act. 2. 17.
V. 29. upon the servants and upon the hand-maids] Persons of all conditions, be they never so mean, shall be sanctified by me. It may be by these termes is meant the calling of the Gentiles, amongst whom slaves were bought, Levit. 25. 44. Unlesse he mean the other principall effect of the Spirit of grace, which is to free men from the bondage of sinne and the devill.
V. 30. wonders in the heavens] Chap. 3. 15. Matth. 24. 29. Mar. 13. 24. Luk. 21. 25. He warneth the faithfull what terrible things should come, to the intent that they should not look for continuall quietnesse in this world; and yet in all these troubles hee would preserve them.
V. 31. The sunne shall be turned into darknesse] Chap. 3. 15. The order of nature shall seeme to be changed for the horrible afflictions that shall be in the world. See vers. 10.
V. 32. whosoever shall call] Rom. 10 13.
on the name of the LORD] Gods judgements are for the destruction of the infidels, and to move the godly to call upon the name of God, who will give them salvation.
in mount Zion] Namely, in the true Church of Christ.
deliverance] From those evils which shall trouble the world. Or some remnant shall be saved.
the LORD hath said] In many places by his Prophets. See Deut. 30. & 32. 43.
the remnant] Which are not runne into the generall apostasie, and corruption of the world, Luk. 18. 8.
shall call] When he shall move and effectually put forward to the participation of his grace in Christ.
CHAP. III.
Vers. 1. IN those dayes] This in part, and figuratively may be understood of Gods vengeance upon the enemies of his people, after their deliverance from Babylon. But spiritually it may be referred to Christs judgements upon the enemies of the Church, by him delivered, and especially at the last and universall deliverance at his last coming.
V. 2. gather all nations] The wicked nations which are enemies to me.
into the valley of Jehosaphat] This valley is not mentioned elsewhere. Some beleeve that it is that which is called the valley of blessing, 2 Chron. 20. 26. where Jehosaphat blessed the Lord when he had discomfited his enemies. Also he hath respect to this word Jehosaphat, which signifieth pleading, or judgement; because God would judge the enemies of his Church as he did there. Others do firmely beleeve that between the Mount of Olives, and the citie of Jerusalem toward the East, there was a low valley of that name; and that so the Prophet sheweth that the enemies shall be judged, as it were, in the sight of the Church, Isa. 66. 24.
V. 3. a harlot] That which the enemy gat for the sale of my people, he bestowed upon harlots and drink.
V. 4. what have ye to do with me] He taketh the cause of his Church in hand against the enemie, as though the injurie were done to himself.
a recompence] Have I done you wrong that you will render me the like? Or, It lieth not in your power to give me satisfaction, for the spoiles and wrongs which ye have done my people: therefore you must beare the punishment thereof in your persons, according to the law for theft, Exod. 22. 3.
V. 5. pleasant things] Heb. defireable.
V. 6. the Grecians] Heb. the sonnes of the Grecians.
V. 8. and they shall sell them] For afterward God sold them by Nebuchadnezzar, and Alexander the Great, for the love he bare to his people, and thereby they were comforted as though the price had been theirs.
the LORD hath spoken it] The sentence is past, and it is not now to be avoided.
V. 9. Proclaime ye this] An ironicall challenge to all Christs enemies, for to do the uttermost of their power against him and his Church, that they may all be overcome and overthrowne. See Isa. 8. 9, 10. Apoc. 16. 14.
prepare] Heb. sanctifie.
V. 10. Beat your plough-shares into swords] Isa. 2. 4. When I shall execute my judgements against mine enemies, I will cause every one to be ready, and to prepare their weapons to destroy one another for my Churches sake.
pruning-hookes] Or, sithes.
V. 11. cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD] Or, the LORD shall bring down. Namely, the holy Angels, who are thine armies to discomfit thine enemies. See Psal. 103. 20. Apoc. 12. 7.
V. 13. Put ye in the sickle] Rev. 14. 15. 18. O ye Angels, it is time to execute my judgements, for the malice of the world is grown to its height.
V. 14. Multitudes] Multitudes of slain enemies.
decision] Or, concision, or threshing. Or of threshing: for so the word is used, Isa. 28. 27. & 41. 15. naming the place so from the event; alluding to the valley of Jehosaphat, where in time past he threshed the Moabites and Ammonites.
V. 15. sunne and the moon shall be darkened] Chap. 2. 31. Signs also foregoing the last judgement, Mat. 24. 29. Luk. 21. 25.
V. 16. rore out] Jer. 25. 30. Amos 1. 2. Summoning, as it were, with a terrible cry all the world to appeare before him. See Jer. 25. 30. Amos 1. 2.
of Zion] Out of the seat of his glory, whose representation was formerly in the Sanctuarie. See Heb. 12. 22.
hope] Heb. place of repaire, or harbour.
of his people] He assureth his against all troubles, that when he destroyeth his enemies, his children shall be delivered. See Luk. 21. 28.
V. 17. be holy] Heb. holinesse. My Church shall be cleansed from all pollution, and mixture of hypocrites and profane people, Isa. 35. 8. Apoc. 21. 27.
through her any more] The strangers shall no more destroy his Church: which if they do, it is the people, which by their sinnes make the breach for the enemie.
V. 18. the mountains shall] He promiseth to his Church abundance of graces, Ezek. 47. 1. Rev. 21. 1. which would water and comfort the most barren places, Amos 9. 13. Others say, a figurative description of the good and happinesse of eternall life, Psal. 36. 8.
flow] Heb. go.
a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD] Ezek. 47. 1. Zach. 14. 8. Rev. 22. 1.
valley of Shittim] A place in the land of Moab, Num. 25. 1. Josh. 2. 1. Mic. 6. 5. which was desert and dry, by reason it stood so neere the lake of Sodome. See the exposition of this upon Ezek. 47. 1. 8.
V. 19. Egypt shall be a desolation] Namely, all the Churches enemies.
V. 20. Judah shall dwell for ever] Or, abide. The true beleevers and elect.
V. 21. I will cleanse their bloud] He had suffered his Church hitherto to be in their filthinesse; but now he promiseth to cleanse them, and to make them pure unto him.
for the LORD dwelleth in Zion] Or, even I the LORD that dwelleth in Zion. Rev. 21. 3.