Joel 2:18-27 – This is a turning point in this book of prophecy.  The people repented; God forgave them and now is promising to restore their land.  All will know that God Himself dwells with His people.

21-22 – Then Lord has done great things!  Rejoice and don’t fear!   The Locust plague caused the people to turn to God.   This horrible calamity allow by God has been used by God to turn His people back to Him.  A great thing!  The prophet can see this as a sure thing and speaks it in the past tense – a prophetically completed action.  In the future sense, during the Millenium, a perfect environment will be realized.  The land will be perfect, human bodies will be perfect, the animals will be perfect and all will be in harmony. 

23-25 – Only God’s mercy and grace have made this possible.  Rejoice in the Lord!  The early rain is an expression of His grace, given faithfully or in righteousness.  Some versions render this phrase as the “Teacher for righteousness” which points to Christ, the reason for grace – so we all understand that it is God’s grace that is taught here.  The drought will end, the locusts will be gone, the harvests will return, and the presence of the Lord will be realized.  God will send refreshing rains on the earth to restore and nourish.  All is blessed because of who and what God is and not because of what anyone else is or does. 

26-27 – A practical look at their restoration and also a glimpse into the future when, in the Millenium, food will be plentiful and you can eat as much as you like until you are satisfied, no restrictions due to health or weight or anything else.  Praise God Who has done wondrous things.  The Jews recognize the Lord as their God, and Him only.  He is to be praised for His divine intervention.  Never again!  This phrase is used twice in the two verses.  He had to rain down judgement on His people to bring them to their senses and return to Him again.  NKJ – “Never will my people be put to shame.”  More reassuring to know that God has everything in control, even our judgement and apparent calamity. He is still there to forgive, restore, and raise back up again.  We will never be shamed.  He is our God.

Joel 2:28-32 – Here the prophet moves from the physical and material now to the spiritual and eternal.  He goes past Israel’s repentance and restoration.  He sees a spiritual revival for Israel and deliverance from ALL surrounding enemies.  This prophecy is firsst realized on the day of Pentecost (Acts. 2:13-21) and a further more complete fulfillment in the Millenium.

28-29 – The outpouring of the Spirit of God on ALL flesh – no distinction of age, sex, position, or anything else.  Everyone will have available the Holy Spirit with all His gifts and functions.  In the past, the Spirit was given to selective individuals for a specific purpose.

30 – Wonders – the approaching judgement – Terrors of wars, bloodshed, violence, and resulting clouds of smoke, all before the Day of the Lord.  (Is. 13:6 and Zeph. 1:7)  There are many speculations of what these signs actually are or refer to.

31 – More phenomena of the sky – leading up to the Day of the Lord.  (see: 2:2,10 / 3:15 / Is. 13:10; 34:4 / Jer. 4:23 / Mt. 24:29 / Mk. 13:24 / Lk. 21:25 / Rev. 6:12)

32 – The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord should not be a reason to fear for the true believer in Christ.  Call upon the name of the Lord, with real worship, in spirit and in truth, from the heart.  The only escape is membership in the true Israel (in spirit), not the Israel of the flesh.  Devotion to the Lord!  Pentecost was just the beginning.  The outpouring of the Spirit will continue until all flesh is equiped with Divine Illumination.