Three times Joel speaks of the phenomenon of the sun being darkened. With a little variation, the moon and the stars are also a part of this astronomy wonder.
On the doorstep of the third and final chapter of Joel, where this phrase will be used for the third time, I briefly address all three as a review, and also so we are ready to soak in the final prophecy of Joel.
The sun and moon being darkened indicate an aspect of an event where there is judgment, followed by a grand blessing of God.
1.) “Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine” (Joel 2:10).
Recall this passage was a prophecy of the Assyrian army overtaking the ten tribes of Israel as they did in 722 to 721 B.C. Joel’s prophecy happened.
“The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria…” (2 Kings 17:5-6). (Note that Samaria was the capital of Israel.)
The author of 2 Kings was not focused on the military details, rather he was focused on explaining the reason for the collapse of Israel. A long explanation starts with the sentence: “All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.…” (2 Kings 17:7).
Indeed it is a sad story. “The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’ But they would not listen…” (2 Kings 17:13-14).
The three year siege surely was devastating, and I speculate the king of Assyria had some record made of his victory, which was a common Ancient Near East practice. (And usually those same countries would not record their defeats.)
However, there is no record that I know of explaining a miraculous astronomy event occurring during the Assyrian attack on Israel.
No, this was not an eclipse considering Joel always states the phenomenon involving both the sun and moon, and sometimes the stars.
And I do not think this is a metaphor, since it clicks with other “day of the LORD” prophecies which likewise use this phrase in a physical context.
Key: Such a phenomenon was foretold by Jesus Himself! He foretold the sun and moon will be darkened at the time of the first stage of the Second Coming of Christ, as recorded in Matthew 24:29-30. So we know such an astronomy miracle fits God’s intentions.
Thus, I think there was an astronomy miracle.
Joel stated judgment would take place, and it did, due to the sins of the leaders and people of Israel.
The grand blessing from God was that He thwarted the attempt by the Assyrian army to conquer Judah, even though they tried.
2.) “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31).
Considering the context of this passage after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, it is likely a literal occurrence during an event in the future after Pentecost.
And considering the context within the prophecy of salvation being offered to everyone, and the blood moon, which is a different detail than Joel’s other statements about the moon, I think this prophecy is for the final judgment which is prophesied in the book of Revelation.
Permanent judgment will take place against all those who are guilty of sin.
The grand blessing from God will be the eternal salvation of all those who believe in Jesus, and thus have been forgiven of their sins.
3.) “The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine” (Joel 3:15).
This literal occurrence happens at the second stage of the Second Coming of Christ.
Zechariah 14:6 states: “On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime – a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.”
Judgment will take place against all of the people from all nations who rebelled against God during the ‘tribulation.’
The grand blessing from God is that the Jewish people will be rescued by God and will have their homeland preserved by the Messiah for evermore.
Hunter Irvine
