Who knoweth . . . ? That this refers to Jehovah is clear from Jonah 3:9 . return turn away from (His fierce anger], as in Jonah 3:9 , whore it is ascribed to "God". Same word as in Joel 2:12 . a blessing : i.e. a new harvest. Compare Isaiah 65:8 . meat . . . drink offering , &c. See note on Joel 1:9 , Joel 1:13 . read more
"Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?"Who knoweth ..." This was exactly the response of the people of Nineveh to the preaching of Jonah. They said: "Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" (Jonah 3:9). This very likely indicates knowledge on the part of the Ninevites of this very passage in Joel; because all of the... read more
14. leave . . . a meat offering and a drink offering—that is, give plentiful harvests, out of the first-fruits of which we may offer the meat and drink offering, now "cut off" through the famine (Joel 1:9; Joel 1:13; Joel 1:16). "Leave behind Him": as God in visiting His people now has left behind Him a curse, so He will, on returning to visit them, leave behind Him a blessing. read more
III. A NEAR FUTURE DAY OF THE LORD: A HUMAN INVASION 2:1-27Joel had spoken briefly of a coming day of the Lord in Joel 1:15, but now he said more about it.The term "the day of the Lord" seems to have arisen from the popular concept, in the ancient Near East, that a really great warrior king could consummate an entire military campaign in one single day. [Note: See Douglas Stuart, "The Sovereign’s Day of Conquest," Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 220/21 (December 1975,... read more
1. An appeal for private repentance 2:12-14 read more
B. A call to repentance 2:12-17Such an awesome prospect of invasion led Joel to appeal to the people of Jerusalem to repent. This would hopefully turn away God’s judgment. He voiced two appeals, but, unusually, he did not say what the sins of the people were. Evidently they were known well enough at the time. read more
If they did, they could count on Him being gracious, compassionate, patient, loyal to them, and willing to withhold punishment (cf. Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 103:8; Psalms 143:8; Jonah 4:2). Their genuine repentance might-Yahweh is still sovereign-move Him to turn from His previously intended course of action and bless, rather than curse, them (cf. Malachi 3:7). Agricultural blessings would signal a reversal of His judgment in the recent locust invasion, and they would then be able to... read more
Repentance followed by RestorationJoel 2:1-17 are another description of the locust plague. An alarm is sounded as though the Day of Jehovah had come (Joel 2:1-3). The advance of the locusts into the city is described under the figure of an invading army (Joel 2:4-11). A message to the penitent is given from Jehovah (Joel 2:12-14), and a call is issued for a fast of supplication (Joel 2:15-17). Then follow the announcements that Jehovah has had pity on His people, and that He will remove the... read more
(14) Even a meat offering.—The returning favour of the Lord will enable the daily sacrifices to be restored, which had failed through the visitation (Joel 1:9). read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joel 2:12-27
2:12-32 GOD’S MERCY ON THE REPENTANTRepentance and restoration (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 (12-14).Once more a trumpet is blown, but this time to... read more