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How the animals groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture. Yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
Verse Takeaways
1
Creation's Powerful Rebuke
Commentators like Calvin and Barnes highlight a stunning contrast: the animals groan and are perplexed by the disaster, while the people remain spiritually numb. The prophet asks "How do the beasts groan!" to shock his audience into realizing their insensitivity. The suffering of innocent animals was meant to shame the people into recognizing the severity of their sin and God's judgment, which they had ignored.
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Joel
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5
18th Century
Presbyterian
How do the beasts groan! - There is something very pitiable in the cry of the animal creation, even because they are innocent, yet …
19th Century
Anglican
How do the beasts groan.— All creation is represented as sharing in the dread perplexity; the beasts are involved in it, …
16th Century
Protestant
The Prophet amplifies his reproof, that even oxen as well as other animals felt the judgment of God. There is then here an implied comparison betwe…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
How do the beasts groan ? &c.] For want of fodder, all green grass and herbs being eaten up by the locusts; or devoured, …
The sorrow of the people is turned into repentance and humiliation before God. With all the marks of sorrow and shame, sin must be confessed and la…