Jo 2:12-27

Back to Joel~

Back to Contents

Joel 2:12-32 GOD’S MERCY ON THE REPENTANT

Repentance and restoration (Joel 2:12-27)

Although God is the one who has sent this judgment, it is not too late for the people to ask for his mercy. However, this must be accompanied by genuine inward repentance, not just by the outward show of torn clothing, sackcloth and ashes. God may then restore their fields and vineyards, and they will be able to worship him with their cereal and wine offerings again (Joel 2:12-14).

Once more a trumpet is blown, but this time to call the people to the temple to seek God’s mercy. No one is to be excluded, not even the children. All are to fast and mourn, even people who would normally be rejoicing and celebrating, such as those who have just been married (Joel 2:15-16).

The priests gather in the temple court between the porch and the altar, and lead the people in prayer (Joel 2:17).

God accepts the people’s repentance and promises to remove the locusts. He will drive them out to perish in the desert regions to the south, in the Dead Sea to the east, and in the Mediterranean Sea to the west. There may be some unpleasantness at first because of the smell from the millions of decaying locust carcasses, some lying in heaps on the ground, others washed up on to the shores. But after this, the land will become productive again (Joel 2:18-22).

God will give good rains and good harvests to compensate for the losses suffered during the locust plague (Joel 2:23-25).

This whole experience of judgment, repentance, forgiveness, blessing and thanksgiving will cause them to know God better (Joel 2:26-27).