John Calvin Commentary Joel 2:22

"Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength." — Joel 2:22 (ASV)

Here the Prophet turns his address to the animals; not that his instruction was suited for them, but it was a more effective mode of speaking when he invited the very animals to share in the people’s joy. For unless the Jews had been made to know that God’s wrath was now near, no consolation which the Prophet has until now applied would have carried any weight with them.

But now they perceived that God’s wrath not only hung over them but extended much further, even to the animals. Since the Lord would have mercy on them, so that His blessing would be shared by the animals and other creatures, the address was far more impressive.

We therefore see that the Prophet, for the best reason, directed his discourse to the very animals, though they lacked mind and discernment. For in addressing these animals, he addressed men with double force; that is, he impressed their minds more effectively, so that they might seriously acknowledge how great God’s wrath was, and also how great His blessing would be.

Beasts, he says, fear not. Then the animals of the field should have dreaded the judgment of God which he had previously proclaimed; for unless God had been appeased toward His people, the fire of His wrath would have consumed the whole land, trees, and pastures, so all the animals must have starved. But now, when God is reconciled to His people, His blessing will smile upon the other animals. What then is to be said of men? For God is truly favorable to them, and not, in the same primary way, to other animals. We therefore see that the fruit of reconciliation is made more evident when it is partly extended to the animal creation.

He therefore says, Fear not, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the desert will grow, the trees will bring forth their fruit. By these words the Prophet implies that if God’s wrath toward His people had been implacable, the sterility of the land would not have been remedied. Now then, from where did such a sudden change come—that the pastures grew, that the trees produced their fruit, both the fig tree and the vine—if not because God was pleased to bless the land after He had received people into favor? We now therefore understand the Prophet’s meaning, namely this: that the land would be made by an angry God to execute His judgment, and that there would be no remedy for the barrenness of the land until people propitiated God. This is the essence of the matter.