Joel 2:25
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Joel's exact historical setting is debated, with proposed dates ranging from the 9th to the 5th century BC. The book contains no references to specific kings or datable political events. What is clear is that Joel addresses a community experiencing devastating locust plague, which he interprets as divine judgment and a harbinger of the coming Day of the LORD. The book moves from describing literal agricultural catastrophe to prophesying the eschatological Day of the LORD when God will judge nations and pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:16-21) applies Joel's Spirit-outpouring prophecy to the church age, showing the book's prophetic scope extends from Joel's time through Christ's first coming to His return.
Joel's prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring found initial fulfillment at Pentecost and continues in the church age, while his Day of the LORD visions await ultimate fulfillment at Christ's return. The book emphasizes genuine repentance ('rend your heart, not your garments'), God's character as gracious and merciful, and the call to corporate fasting and prayer in times of crisis.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Joel 2:25 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
- What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
- How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God promises restoration: "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." The Hebrew veshillamti lakhem et-hashanim asher akhal ha'arbeh hayeleq vehechasil vehagazzam chayli hagadol asher shillachti bakhem (וְשִׁלַּמְתִּי לָכֶם אֶת־הַשָּׁנִים אֲשֶׁר אָכַל הָאַרְבֶּה הַיֶּלֶק וְהֶחָסִיל וְהַגָּזָם חַיְלִי הַגָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר שִׁלַּחְתִּי בָּכֶם) offers comprehensive restoration after comprehensive judgment.
"I will restore" (veshillamti) uses shalam (שָׁלַם), meaning to make whole, complete, recompense, or restore. The verb suggests not merely returning what was lost but making complete compensation. God doesn't just stop judgment; He actively reverses its effects. "The years that the locust hath eaten" (et-hashanim asher akhal ha'arbeh) indicates prolonged devastation—multiple years of crop destruction causing famine and economic collapse. Yet God promises to restore even lost time.
The four locust terms (appearing also in 1:4) describe comprehensive devastation through successive waves of destruction. Calling them "my great army which I sent among you" (chayli hagadol asher shillachti bakhem) confirms that the plague was divine judgment, not random natural disaster. Yet the same sovereign God who sent judgment now promises restoration. This demonstrates the dual purpose of God's discipline: judgment intended to produce repentance (chapter 1-2:11), followed by promised restoration (2:12-32).
This restoration prophecy finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who restores what sin destroyed. Jesus declared: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The gospel doesn't merely forgive sin; it restores ruined lives, broken relationships, and wasted years. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."