Joel 2:12-14 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12

Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with great fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning . At this period of sore judgment God, by the prophet, calls upon the people to return and repent, to fast and to weep, to grieve inwardly and mourn outwardly for sin. He also instructs them how to engage in the duty of humiliation aright and acceptably. The humiliation was to be that of the heart—sorrow of heart for the sins by which they had offended God, inward shame on account of those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12

Conversion. God is not satisfied to utter threatenings and to foretell evil It is truly characteristic of him that he adds words of gracious entreaty, expostulation, and counsel. He would be deserving of our adoring gratitude did he merely express his willingness to receive the returning sinner; but in this passage he deigns to invite and beseech those who have rebelled and who are in danger of perdition, that they convert and repent. I. WHO ARE THEY WHO ARE THUS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-13

Soul-reformation. "Therefore also now," etc. Observe here three things in relation to soul-reformation. I. ITS PROCESS . Turning to the Lord, "Turn ye unto the Lord your God." The unregenerate man is an alien from God. Like the prodigal son, he has left his Father's house and gone into the "far country" of carnality and sin. Reform is turning and directing his steps back to God. Soul-reformation is not turning from one doctrine, or Church, or habit to another, but turning to God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-14

The judgment of the locusts was typical of the great day of judgment. The tartars of that day were designed to bring the people to repentance. Thus judgment was mingled with mercy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-17

These verses summon the people To humiliation for sin, and thanksgiving for mercy. God, by his prophet, does not forbid the outward sign of sorrow, so customary among Orientals and common among the Jews; he rather insists upon the presence of the thing signified, without which the sign was more a mockery than a reality. I. THE OCCASION OF THE HUMILIATION . It Was an earnest time with the people of the southern kingdom. Terrible desolation had been made in the land of Judah.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God . Where there is real contrition of spirit because of sin, outward manifestations are both suitable and proper, though not by way of display or for sake of ostentation. But they were reminded, on the other hand, that mere outward manifestations avail nothing unless there also exist the deep inward feelings which are in harmony with and naturally underlie those manifestations. Out of such inward feelings those outward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:13

Spiritual repentance. Throughout the Scriptures the one indispensable condition of man's forgiveness and of his acceptance with God, which is insisted upon by all inspired writers, is repentance. It is, therefore, of great importance to have right view of this exercise or posture of the soul. I. TRUE REPENTANCE DOES NOT CONSIST IN ANY EXTERNAL , CEREMONIAL OBSERVANCE . In the East especially it has always been common to practise rites of a symbolical character in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:14

Who knoweth if he will return and repent ; that is, return from and repent of his purpose of executing judgment. And leave a blessing behind him ; that is, leave behind him when returning from the exercise of judgment to resume his seat on the heavenly throne, the blessing being a replacement of the harvest fruits which the locusts had consumed, even a meat offering and a drink offering, for the service of the sanctuary as well as sustenance to supply the people's own bodily wants. Jerome... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:14

The hope of reconciliation. This language is figurative, and may be deemed by some open to the charge of anthropomorphism. Yet it is very simple, very natural, and very expressive. God is represented as a king and warrior, who has been offended by his subjects, and who has come down from his palace at the head of his army, to chastise the rebellious; but who has been met with the language of submission and supplication, and whose wrath is averted, so that it is hoped that, instead of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joel 2:12

Therefore - (And) now also All this being so, one way of escape there is, true repentance. As if God said , “All this I have therefore spoken, in order to terrify you by My threats. Wherefore “turn unto Me with all your hearts,” and show the penitence of your minds “by fasting and weeping and mourning,” that, fasting now, ye may “be filled” hereafter “weeping now,” ye may laugh hereafter; mourning now, ye may hereafter “be comforted” Luke 6:21; Matthew 5:4. And since it is your custom “to rend... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joel 2:12

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