Joe 2:12-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Joel 2:12-17: 2:12-17 Joel calls on the people to repent and throw themselves on the mercy of their compassionate God. 2:12 This verse begins with the words the Lord says , a phrase that frequently accompanies divine speeches in the prophets. This is the only time that it occurs in Joel (“says the Lord ” in 3:1 is supplied by the translators), and it indicates that this gracious invitation came directly from God. • Turn to me now, while there is time: The Lord implored his people to repent because the day of judgment was near. There was still opportunity to avoid the coming destruction if they returned to the Lord their God with true repentance. • Unlike other prophets, Joel never catalogs the sins committed by the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Perhaps they were so obvious that he did not feel the need to list them.

a2:12-17►

b2:12►

c3:1►

d2:13►

eGen 37:34►

f2 Sam 3:31►

g2 Kgs 19:1►

hExod 34:6-7►

iNum 14:18►

jNeh 9:17►

kPss 86:15►

l103:8►

m145:8►

nJon 4:2►

o2:14►

pJon 3:9►

qJoel 2:13►

‏ Joel 2:12-14

Summary for Joel 2:12-17: 2:12-17 ^a Joel calls on the people to repent and throw themselves on the mercy of their compassionate God. 2:12 ^b This verse begins with the words the Lord says, a phrase that frequently accompanies divine speeches in the prophets. This is the only time that it occurs in Joel (“says the Lord” in 3:1 ^c is supplied by the translators), and it indicates that this gracious invitation came directly from God.

• Turn to me now, while there is time: The Lord implored his people to repent because the day of judgment was near. There was still opportunity to avoid the coming destruction if they returned to the Lord their God with true repentance.

• Unlike other prophets, Joel never catalogs the sins committed by the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Perhaps they were so obvious that he did not feel the need to list them.
2:13 ^d One means of showing grief in the ancient world was to tear one’s clothing (Gen 37:34 ^e; 2 Sam 3:31 ^f; 2 Kgs 19:1 ^g).

• tear your hearts: In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will. God’s people were to go beyond external demonstrations of repentance to repent inwardly—to change their orientation, priorities, and attitudes. This could only happen if they would return to the Lord.

• for he is merciful and compassionate ... and filled with unfailing love: The people’s only hope was in the merciful character of the Lord (see also Exod 34:6-7 ^h; Num 14:18 ⁱ; Neh 9:17 ^j; Pss 86:15 ^k; 103:8 ^l; 145:8 ^m; Jon 4:2 ⁿ). God’s desire is not to punish, but to forgive and restore his people.
2:14 ^o Who knows? Joel’s simple question acknowledges God’s absolute sovereignty (see also Jon 3:9 ^p). God is not obligated to restore us merely because we perform certain rituals. Forgiveness comes only through divine grace, but Joel knew that God was inclined to forgive (Joel 2:13 ^q).