Foundations 15 — Repentance Joel 2

Background: 

 At the time of Joel’s writing, the land suffering from a great famine caused by a devastating plague of locust that devoured the vegetation. The cloud of locusts was so vast that it would block out the light from the sun as they swarmed from place to place. Joel used the occasion to foreshadow a greater judgment the locust could symbolize.

What Can We Observe About God?

Because of God’s compassion, sinners have an opportunity to repent and be restored.

The day of the Lord is more than a plague of locust, but something far greater that will shadow over all humanity. 

“For the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand”

Verse 1b

Like the plague and like a well-disciplined army, the coming judgment is unstoppable.

“They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; And they shall march every one on his ways, And they shall not break their ranks”

Verse 7

This judgment is not something out of the Lord’s control; rather He is the Commander of the army, giving the orders.

“And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: For his camp is very great: For he is strong that executeth his word: For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible;And who can abide it?” (V11)

But the same Commander who is at the head of this army also gives an opportunity to reconcile through repentance.

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning”

Verse 12

God wants a heart-rending, not just a show of fake humility. Those who rend their hearts are expressing a desire to be reconciled and restore the relationship. They turn towards God and away from the things that cause His anger.

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn unto the Lord your God: For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness, And repenteth him of the evil.”

Verse 13

Repentance is an opportunity He gives. Doing it does not make God change His mind or force Him to reward good behavior. He is not forced to respond either way outside of what He is willing to do. This is shown by the expression, “Who knoweth” in verse fourteen.

“Who knoweth if he will return and repent, And leave a blessing behind him.”

Verse 14

Other places in Scripture coincide with this. The Hebrews “repented” when God disallowed them to enter the promised land. They presumptuously attacked the Canaanites supposing God would deliver them. They were defeated and turned back toward the wilderness. Repentance is not a “work” that must be rewarded by God. It is an opportunity given by His compassion. His decision to reverse judgment when someone repents is His own decision and not at all manipulated by our behavior.

” And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised: for we have sinned. And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you. But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.” 

Number 14:40-45

We often think of repentance as the behavior of individuals only. But repentance has its place in the congregation as a whole—unified behind the notion of desiring God above all else. It takes precedence above all situations. Are weddings important? Are mothers who are still breastfeeding encumbered? Does a call to repentance inconvenience anyone? Let them find a way to come and repent before God. We need God!

“Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.”

Verse 16

Leaders need to take charge in corporate repentance. They may have other duties to attend to, such as the priests, but nothing is more important than our hearts having the proper posture before God.

“Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar”

Verse 17

As verse 14 suggests, nothing in repentance forces God to comply to supplication. Ritually wearing sackcloth or throwing dust on our heads cannot manipulate God into withholding judgment. But God’s grace takes another step further by using His word of promise to guaranteeing our acceptance. He will forgive and bless because of His promise.

“Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, And pity his people.”

Verse 18

People don’t win prizes for good behavior and sincere repentance, but God promises to renew them based on His compassion and grace. Temporary judgments like the plague of locust will have destroyed much. Because of sin, many years of people’s lives will have been turned to vanity. But because of God’s compassion, through repentance, God will restore those useless years with meaning and productivity. 

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, The cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you.”

Verse 25

This promise of renewal and cause for rejoicing cannot be earned or divine through magical incantations. Instead, it’s God’s free choice to bestow when His people repent and rend their hearts.

3. How does this passage point to Jesus and the Gospel?

The cross and empty tomb is proof of God compassion and promise to forgive the repentant.

It should be obvious to the reader by now, Joel is not describing one instance of a plague but a future “Day of the Lord.” For many, the Day of the Lord is darkness and judgment. But for those who will repent, it is a reason for rejoicing and gladness.

Even though the following few verses do not explicitly describe the cross or the Lord Jesus, the effects of His accomplishment on Calvary is described. After the Lord ascended, Peter and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as the Lord had said. Peter attributed that day to this prophecy seen here in verse 28:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”

Verse 28

The coming age where God’s people will be indwelled with the Holy Spirit happened on the other side of the cross. The cross became the means by which sinners could confidently repent and know they will be accepted. The mercy of God is the motive behind it all, but ultimately, we have the empty tomb to give us assurance of all these things—God’s goodness, His blessings, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and a promise of restoration.

God’s kindness and promise of restoration is given beyond the scope of Jerusalem only, but to anyone who humbles themselves in repentance before God and His Christ.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.”

Verse 32

4. Application:

Let no one attempt to separate belief that saves and repentance that turns one towards God. Some may turn to quote Romans 10:13 to say, “All that is require is to call! No repentance necessary”. But they would do well to note the verse in Roman’s is a quote from Joel 2, a chapter unmistakenly centered on repentance.

Rejoice in God! Not because repentance is a work that He will reward, but because of His compassion, He has given us a way to escape the Day of the Lord, freely by His grace.