Joel 2:22

22 Wild animals, don't be afraid. The grasslands are turning green again. The trees are bearing their fruit. The vines and fig trees are producing rich crops.

Joel 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 2:22

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field
Which before groaned, and were perplexed for want of pasture, and cried because of the drought, ( Joel 1:18 Joel 1:20 ) ; perhaps the Gentiles may be here designed, in the mystic and spiritual sense, in distinction from the Jews, the children of Zion, in ( Joel 2:23 ) ; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring;
grass in abundance springs up in them, and covers them, so that there was plenty of food for the beasts of the field: for the tree beareth her fruit;
brings forth and bears fruit suitable to it, agreeable to its nature: the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength;
send forth their branches, put forth their buds, their leaves and fruit. This and the preceding clause cannot be understood as a reason why the beasts of the field should not be afraid, for they relate not to them, but to men; and may serve to confirm the mystic sense of the words, as they may refer to the great fruitfulness produced in the wilderness of the Gentile world, through the preaching of the Gospel in the times of the Messiah; which are more clearly pointed at in ( Joel 2:23 ) ; and which were introduced with great outward peace and plenty; and the Jews ^F6 by the tree bearing her fruit, in the preceding clause, understand barren trees bearing fruit.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 112. 2.

Joel 2:22 In-Context

20 "I will drive far away from you the army that comes from the north. I will send some of its forces into a dry and empty land. Those in front will be pushed into the Dead Sea. The ones in back will be driven into the Mediterranean Sea. Their dead bodies will give off a bad smell." The LORD has done great things.

21 Land, don't be afraid. Be glad and full of joy. The LORD has done great things.

22 Wild animals, don't be afraid. The grasslands are turning green again. The trees are bearing their fruit. The vines and fig trees are producing rich crops.

23 People of Zion, be glad. Be joyful because of what the LORD your God has done. He has given you the right amount of rain in the fall. He has sent you plenty of showers. He has sent fall and spring rains alike, just as he did before.

24 Your threshing floors will be covered with grain. Olive oil and fresh wine will spill over from the places where they are stored.