Have you ever experienced gardening excitement?
Seeing the seedlings sprout that you planted into rich garden soil can certainly bring an experience of gardening excitement.
Growing up my father and grandmother were avid vegetable gardeners. They taught me to appreciate the taste of a homegrown tomato, sugar snap peas, and many other vegetables.
Seeing a seed spring to life from the soil always yields gardening excitement in my heart!
As I watch squirrels and birds pillage a bird feeder or nibble on other greens in the yard, I know they too experience a level of gardening excitement because they can eat and be satisfied.
Can you imagine the gardening excitement that would ensue in those wild animals immediately following a severe famine and drought?
Read Joel 2:22
22 Fear not, you beasts 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 2:21 told the land to not be afraid but to be glad and rejoice.
Now in Joel 2:22 we learn that the Lord has spoken again, but this time to the animals.
The Lord tells them also to not be afraid.
Earlier in Joel 1:18-20 we were told the following:
18 How the beasts’ groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer.
19 To you, O LORD, I call. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flame has burned all the trees of the field.
20 Even the beasts of the field pant for you because the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
Now in Joel 2:22 we are told the pastures of the wilderness are becoming green!
Gardening excitement is truly felt when one has been starving for something to eat or drink.
The verb used in this section to indicate the pastures are turning green is only used one other time in the Bible.
Read Genesis 1:11:
11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.
In Joel 2:22 the Lord has reminded those hearing or reading it that He has the power to bring about restoration just as He did back in Genesis 1:11.
If he can create vegetation simply by speaking as He did in Genesis 1:11, then He certainly can restore the land and animals that have suffered from the locust infestation described in Joel 1:4.
Read Joel 2:22 again:
22 Fear not, you beasts 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.
Further restoration is promised in this verse with trees bearing fruit again.
The fig tree and vine are described as giving their full yield.
This means they are producing at maximum capacity.
Imagine after having been starving for food seeing the land produce such an abundant harvest. That is gardening excitement indeed.
How can this verse help us today?
Repeatedly throughout this series on studying Joel we have considered that this book is a message directly from the Lord.
The Lord sent this message to get the Judeans attention as well as ours.
Yes, parts of this message are a warning to wake up and look at current circumstances through the Lord’s viewpoint.
Are you or someone you know struggling with a type of famine or drought today?
Maybe the famine or drought is not literally about food and drink.
Consider famine and drought as a deprivation of something that is essential for a thriving spirit.
What does that look like today?
Do you believe and trust that the Lord can and will provide for you or those around you who are struggling in any way?
May you claim the excitement found in the promise from the Lord to the animals in Joel 2:22 that He will provide an abundant harvest when you focus on your relationship with Him wholeheartedly.
ESV Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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- Names and Their Meaning: Joel 1:1
- Breaking News : Joel 1:2
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- Shortages Today : Joel 1:5
- Gone Viral : Joel 1:6
- Vulnerable: Joel 1:7
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- Dressing for Spiritual Leadership Joel 1:13
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- Perspectives and Opinions Joel 1:15
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- Neglect Joel 1:17
- Even the Sheep Suffer Joel 1:18
- Fire Joel 1:19
- Soul Thirst Joel 1:20
- It’s Coming! Joel 2:1
- Thunderstorms Joel 2:2
- Hard Times Joel 2:3
- Power Joel 2:4-5
- Overwhelmed Joel 2:6
- Action Joel 2:7-9
- Earthquake and Eclipse Joel 2:10
- Endurance Joel 2:11
- Hope or Despair Joel 2:12
- Sincerity Joel 2:13-14
- Call to Attention Joel 2:15
- Purpose Joel 2:16
- Compromised Reputation Joel 2:17
- To Take Pity Joel 2:18
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- Be Glad and Rejoice Joel 2:21