Blessed Promise: God’s Promise to Forgive and Restore (Joel 2)

Scripture reading – Joel 1; Joel 2

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

This second devotional for today continues our study of the brief book of the minor prophet Joel. Joel’s ministry occurs during Assyria’s dominance of the ancient Middle East and before Babylon’s rise.

Joel 2

The Day of the LORD, the Day of Judgment (Joel 2:1-11)

Joel’s penitent prayer for Jerusalem (Zion) continued in chapter 2, as the prophet summoned the priests to pray for the nation. We read, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand” (Joel 2:1). The LORD’s judgment was imminent.

It is widely believed that the immediate threat to Judah and Jerusalem during Joel’s lifetime was Assyria. The approach of that nation’s army was described as “a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Joel 2:2a). The Assyrians had destroyed everything in their path (Joel 2:3). The army encamped outside Jerusalem’s walls was mighty and terrifying to behold (Joel 2:4-5).

All nations, walled fortresses, and cities fell to Assyria, and without the LORD, there was no hope that Jerusalem would be spared (Joel 2:6-9). Indeed, the prophet described the mass movement of a great army as causing the earth and the heavens to tremble (Joel 2:10). In the prophet’s words, even the sun, moon, and stars were shaken by the sight of Assyria’s great army (Joel 2:10-11).

Return to the LORD (Joel 2:12-17)

Despite the people’s sins and rebellion, the LORD called Judah to return to Him with all their heart and “with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12). Joel exhorted the people, “rend [tear] your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God” (Joel 2:13). Cut away the callousness of your sinful hearts and repent, for “the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:13).

Longing for a national revival, Joel called on the priests to “blow the trumpet in Zion” and “gather the people” (Joel 2:15-16). The spiritual leaders of Judah were to “weep between the porch and the altar” and to pray, “Spare thy people, O Lord, And give not thine heritage to reproach, That the heathen should rule over them: Wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” (Joel 2:17).

Repent and Be Restored (Joel 2:18-27)

Joel assured the people that if they returned to the LORD, He would pity them and show them compassion (Joel 2:18). He would answer their cries, send them “corn, and wine, and oil” (Joel 2:19), and drive “the northern army” out of the land (Joel 2:20). Amid their sorrows, the prophet exhorted the people, saying that if they repented, the land would “be glad and rejoice: For the Lord will do great things” (Joel 2:21). The pastures would thrive with life. The trees would bear fruit (Joel 2:22). The rains would return. The storehouses would be “full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil” (Joel 2:24).

Is it not the longing of every believer that the LORD would “restore to [them] the years that the locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25)? Yet the LORD requires His people to acknowledge and confess their sins and to turn to Him. In His grace, He can repay what was lost through our foolishness and give us cause to praise His name (Joel 2:26).

Closing thoughts (Joel 2:28-32)

Joel foretold a season of sorrow and suffering that Judah would endure because of their sins and rebellion. However, the LORD promised that those who repented and turned to Him would hear, “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Joel also prophesied that the day would come when “all flesh” would receive the outpouring of God’s Spirit. On that day, sons and daughters would prophesy, old men would “dream dreams,” and young men would “see visions” (Joel 2:28). 

When did this prophecy come to pass? It was partially fulfilled after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, culminating on the Day of Pentecost. On that day, when the Spirit of God was poured out, the apostle Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32 (see Acts 2:17-21).

However, the “wonders in the heavens and in the earth,” the sun turning to darkness, and “the moon into blood” remain in the future. These wonders will occur “before the great and the terrible day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:19-20). 

What a blessed promise it is to read, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:32). Friend, if you are not saved, stop now, trust the LORD’s promise, and “call on the name of the LORD, and be saved” (Acts 2:21).