Joel

A devastating plague of locusts has stripped the land bare, leaving fields, vines, and grain destroyed, accompanied by drought and fire.[1][5][6] YHWH's priests are called to lament, declare a fast, and cry out, as the day of YHWH approaches.[1][5]

Joel describes a great invading army like locusts on the mountains, heralding the dreadful **Day of YHWH**, and calls Judah to return to YHWH with repentance, fasting, and rending hearts, promising mercy and restoration[1][3][5]. YHWH assures 'Fear not, O land; I will restore you and pour out my Spirit on all flesh' before the great and awesome Day of YHWH comes[1][2][6].

YHWH promises to restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity and gather all nations to the Valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment against those who scattered Israel's people, divided the land, and treated them as commodities.[1][2] After YHWH's victory, Israel will experience abundant restoration with flowing streams and fertile land, while enemy nations like Egypt and Edom will become desolate wastelands, and YHWH will dwell eternally in Zion.[1][2]

YHWH will gather all nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat to judge them for their crimes against Judah and Jerusalem, particularly for selling Israelites into slavery and plundering the temple.[1][5] The nations will be punished like grapes in a harvest, while YHWH restores Israel and establishes Jerusalem as a holy sanctuary from which a spring will flow to water the land.[1][3]