Joel 2:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They will take control of the city's gates, establish their barriers, and infiltrate the temples, entering through the windows like thieves. The ground will tremble before Him, and the heavens will be disturbed; the sun and the moon will lose their brightness, and the stars will cease to shine. Listen: they will scale the walls and, laying waste to the fields, they will breach the windows, creating chaos among the people, effectively overturning everything, making it appear as if the very heavens are in turmoil, while the sun, the moon, and the stars seem to hold onto their radiance. This vivid imagery illustrates the weighty and overwhelming nature of the disaster facing the earth's inhabitants. This description holds true when we consider human armies as they besiege the land and cities, spreading like locusts, devastating the fields, storming the walls, invading homes, and rivaling the terrors of an earthquake in their cruelty.

Moses designated the beginning of time not as the first day but simply as one day (Gen. 1:5), indicating that this name links it intrinsically to the age. This day is fittingly referred to as one day, since it signifies a unique quality that cannot be shared with anything else. Although Scripture brings forth many epochs, frequently mentioning the age of ages and the ages of ages, it does not specify the first, second, or third ages. This highlights more clearly the distinct states and diverse matters, rather than the confines, conclusions, and progressions of time. It is declared, Great is the day of the Lord (Joel 2:11), and radiant.

The sun and the moon will be obscured, and the stars will lose their brightness. This signifies that the Gentile nations along with the people of Judah, including their rulers and leaders, are symbolized by the sun, moon, and stars, and will be engulfed and displaced.

This scenario is likely to occur. The Prophet refers to thunder as a voice, and we have witnessed solar and lunar eclipses on several occasions; at times, the stars can be thoroughly obscured, and the earth may experience the anger of God. However, it is also possible to interpret this differently; those who endure hardships often exist in a state of darkness, unaware of the true condition of the heavens. They may not recognize that while there is light, it signifies day, and the corresponding dimness marks night; to them, all seems to be in total contradiction. The Prophet emphasizes: how powerful are the deeds of His words—no utterance of God fails to be accomplished; whenever God speaks, that word is realized instantly.

The Apostle of Christ charges the Greeks, revealing that although they had knowledge of God, they failed to honor Him as God and were ungrateful. Their minds were led astray, and they transformed the divine glory into the likeness of perishable humanity, choosing to serve created things rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:21-25). Indeed, it is the Lord who fashioned the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1); yet you, in your ignorance, worship the celestial bodies—does this not constitute blasphemy? Heed the prophet's words: ‘The sun shall be darkened and the heavens will be obscured, yet the Almighty will shine eternally. The celestial powers will tremble, the heavens will be shaken and rolled up like a scroll, and the earth will flee from the presence of the Lord.’