Joel: "Yet even now..." Salvation! (2:12-17)
And here we arrive at the key passage in Joel. Another passage may be more well-known, as we will see. Yet here is the turning point. Salvation is possible! The Day of YHWH can have light follow the darkness.
This is the only section in the Book of Joel containing the expected formula of “declares the LORD.” We expect such oracles and prophecies—messages straight from God in prophetic texts. This is the only time Joel delivers God’s speech:
Joel calls the nation to return to God, because of who He is:
Joel does not assume, however. He does not presume that God is someone or something we can control! He goes on to encourage repentance in the HOPE that God will relent. Perhaps God will bless us following the curse that we have brought upon ourselves. He again calls for the mournful assembly, the grief and the prayers.
Just as chapter 1:2-12 was paralleled in 2:1-11, we see here in 2:12-17, hints and paralleles to 1:13-20. Joel is emphasizing and strengthening his message through. repetition, intensification, and increase.
This is the only section in the Book of Joel containing the expected formula of “declares the LORD.” We expect such oracles and prophecies—messages straight from God in prophetic texts. This is the only time Joel delivers God’s speech:
“Return to Me with all your heart,“Rend your heart.” God calls for true repentance and not just outward shows of regret. It is perhaps easy to show that you are sorry for wrong without truly being sorry. “I am sorry if I offended anyone.” It is another thing altogether to truly repent of one’s actions and to recognize the wrong that we have done.
And with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Joel calls the nation to return to God, because of who He is:
“For He is gracious and compassionate,Where have we heard this before? It sounds like the name of God, that He revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6,7:
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness,
And relenting of evil.”
“YHWH (I AM), YHWH (I AM) your God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet. He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”This is the name of God! It is His character to be holy and judging of evil, but also to be loving and patient and gracious and compassionate.
Joel does not assume, however. He does not presume that God is someone or something we can control! He goes on to encourage repentance in the HOPE that God will relent. Perhaps God will bless us following the curse that we have brought upon ourselves. He again calls for the mournful assembly, the grief and the prayers.
Just as chapter 1:2-12 was paralleled in 2:1-11, we see here in 2:12-17, hints and paralleles to 1:13-20. Joel is emphasizing and strengthening his message through. repetition, intensification, and increase.
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