Joel 2

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for…” Naming Blow and Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD , turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:” Naming Blow and Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the…” Naming Gather keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD , weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” The line’s distinctive content terms include jealous, land, LORD. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.” Naming Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit…” The line’s distinctive content terms include tree, afraid, beareth. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately…” Naming Zion keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include army, cankerworm, caterpiller. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” The line’s distinctive content terms include days, handmaids, pour. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blood, earth, fire. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.