12 "Yet even now ," declares the Lord , " Return to Me with all your heart , And with fasting , weeping and mourning ; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments ." Now return to the Lord your God , For He is gracious and compassionate , Slow to anger , abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil . 14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God ? 15 Blow a trumpet in Zion , Consecrate a fast , proclaim a solemn assembly , 16 Gather the people , sanctify the congregation , Assemble the elders , Gather the children and the nursing infants . Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber . 17 Let the priests , the Lord'S ministers , Weep between the porch and the altar , And let them say , " Spare Your people , O Lord , And do not make Your inheritance a reproach , A byword among the nations . Why should they among the peoples say , ' Where is their God ?' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joel 2:12-17
Commentary on Joel 2:1-14
(Read Joel 2:1-14)
The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come! Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it. But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins, and separation from them. There is no question but that if we truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether he will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent.
Commentary on Joel 2:15-27
(Read Joel 2:15-27)
The priests and rulers are to appoint a solemn fast. The sinner's supplication is, Spare us, good Lord. God is ready to succour his people; and he waits to be gracious. They prayed that God would spare them, and he answered them. His promises are real answers to the prayers of faith; with him saying and doing are not two things. Some understand these promises figuratively, as pointing to gospel grace, and as fulfilled in the abundant comforts treasured up for believers in the covenant of grace.