Joel 2:12-17--Return to the LORD

Joel 2:12-17
English Standard Version

Return to the LORD
12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD,
    “return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13     and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the LORD your God,
    for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
    and he relents over disaster.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
    and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
    for the LORD your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
    consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16     gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
    assemble the elders;
gather the children,
    even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
    and the bride her chamber.

17 Between the vestibule and the altar
    let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O LORD,
    and make not your heritage a reproach,
    a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’”

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Even though they are on the brink of disaster, the LORD calls His people to repentance once more and offers to be their Savior.  The people are reminded of His goodness and mercy that He told Moses of in the book of Exodus, but along with that came the promise of judgment for the wicked.  He is both things at the same time.  There is a chance He might relent, though not a definite promise.  As opposed to the invading army that is leaving nothing but wasteland behind them, perhaps the LORD will fight for them and destroy their enemies once more and leave a blessing behind Himself for them.

The priests and the government leaders are to blow the trumpets to call for a solemn assembly and declare a fast unto the LORD.  All people great and small, young and old are to gather together to fast and repent.  Even those who were ready to celebrate their weddings should stop and come to participate in this fast, because it is the most important thing they can do right now--to fast and pray for the mercy of God and to ask Him to change their hearts as only He can.

The priests were never supposed to show their emotion or mourn, but they are commanded to do so here because of their sin and the sin of the people.  They are to mediate and cry out for mercy.  Joel says the LORD should do this not just for the sake of His people, but for the sake of His own name, which the other nations now disparage.  They mock Him and wonder if He even exists if He will not defend His people who are called by His Name.  We know He does exist and He is directing events, and the Babylonians are His agents of change for His people, but there is coming a day when He will act to save His people, but not before their 70 years of exile are up.