Joel 2:22

22 Do not fear, you animals 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.

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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Joel 2:22 In-Context

20 I will remove the northern army far from you, and drive it into a parched and desolate land, its front into the eastern sea, and its rear into the western sea; its stench and foul smell will rise up. Surely he has done great things!
21 Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
22 Do not fear, you animals 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 O children of Zion, be glad 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 later rain, as before.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.