In verses 1-11, Joel warned the people of what they faced likening the locust to a mighty army so disciplined and trained that nothing but God could stop them. “The likes of them have not been seen before, and never will again throughout the generations of the world!” (Verse 2). Then in verse 11, Joel adds, “The day of judgment of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?”
What is the solution! “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give Me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments’.” (Verses 12 & 13). In verses 14-17, Joel went on to give more instruction about this repentance; it was not just for individuals but the community as a whole.
What would happen if the people repented? “Then the Lord will pity His people and be indignant for the honor of His land! He will reply, ‘See, I am sending you much corn and wine and oil, to fully satisfy your need’.” (Verses 18-19). Then in verse 25, God said, “And I will give you back the crops the locust ate! – My great destroying army that I sent against you.”
Finally, God gave a glimpse of the future in the remaining verses of chapter 2. This was quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost when the people in the streets were hearing the believers speaking to them in their native languages, but some of the people were saying they were drunk. “No! What you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel.”
The sun has been darkened by a solar eclipse since the beginning of time; the moon turning blood red seems to be the result of a lunar eclipse, but the earliest mention of its blood red color seems to have been January 24, 734 CE according to the internet.
Should believers use unusual signs as a message from God about the imminent return of Christ? No! Jesus said, “The world will be at ease – banquets and parties and weddings – just as it was in Noah’s time before the sudden coming of the flood;” (Matt 24:37-38). But God reminds in Joel 2:32, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” The specific reference is to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.