Joel 1:19-20

Joel 1:19-20

[19] O LORD,  to thee will I cry:  for the fire  hath devoured  the pastures  of the wilderness,  and the flame  hath burned  all the trees  of the field.  [20] The beasts  of the field  cry  also unto thee: for the rivers  of waters  are dried up,  and the fire  hath devoured  the pastures  of the wilderness. 

What does Joel 1:19-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Joel cried out to Yahweh in prayer in the distress that he shared with his countrymen. Fire had burned the dried pastures and trees, or perhaps drought like a fire had done so. The brooks were dry, and even the wild animals panted for water. Joel could say they panted for Yahweh because the Lord was the provider of the water these animals sought (cf. Psalm 42:1). By panting for Yahweh these animals set a good example for the people of Judah and Jerusalem.