SOUNDING THE ALARM IN ZION - Joel 2:1-17

The Imminent Attack

2:1-11

Chapter 2 continues the themes of judgment and the Day of the Lord. It begins by announcing another Day of the Lord, in the future. It says the day is coming and is near. (1) It is an imminent disaster coming to Zion. 

The command to blow the trumpet is the image of a watchman on the wall around Jerusalem warning that he spots an enemy approaching. It is also used to signify the coming of the Lord. (Exodus 19:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Mount Zion is the name for the mountain on which the Jebusites originally had a fortress which David conquered and took for his city. (2 Samuel 5:7) 

The hill of Mount Zion is south of Mount Moriah on which the temple was built. It came to refer to the city of Jerusalem and, on occasion, the nation of Israel. 

It sometimes refers to the Heavenly City of Jeruslem, such as in the hymn “Marching To Zion”. The chorus says: 

We're marching to Zion

Beautiful, beautiful Zion

We're marching upward to Zion

The beautiful city of God

The Day of the Lord, the day of his coming, will accompanied by signs. There will be darkness, gloom, and clouds. (2) This is reminiscent of the Lord’s appearing on Mount Sinai to give the terms of the covenant to Moses. On that occasion, a thick cloud came on the mountain with thunders and signings and a trumpet blast. (Exodus 19:16)

This is to reinforce the idea that this plague comes from the Lord; it is his coming, not a haphazard natural event. 

Joel then begins describing what at first seems like another wave of locusts, but the attackers change into a different kind of threat as Joel starts using metaphors about military ranks and cosmic catastrophe. (4)

The locusts become a huge army, greater than any seen before. (2)  It destroys everything in its path. (3) It turns the beautiful land into a desolate wilderness. Nothing can stop it.

The cosmic events show that this is the Lord coming in judgment. The earth quakes and the sky comes dark. (10)  Joel tells us this is all the Lord’s coming in judgment, saying: “The Day of the Lord. It’s dreadful, who can endure it?” (11)

The apostle John picks up this theme in the book of Revelation. When Jesus opens the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake accompanies by cosmic signs. All of the people tried to hide, telling the mountains “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lam, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:12-16)

The Call To Repentance

2:12-17

Once more, God speaks through Joel & calls on the people to repent. He tells them to return to him with all their hearts. (12) They have turned away from him, so they need to return to him completely and whole heartedly. 

This is shown by fasting, weeping, and mourning.

It cannot be just an outward show. Thus, he told them to rend their hearts, not their garments. “Rend” means to tear. Tearing garments was a sign in the Middle East for grieving and mourning. They needed a change of heart and mind, throwing off their current affections and returning them to the worship of God and obedience to him.

Another way of expressing this truth in the Bible is the “circumcision of the heart”. The Bible refers to this numerous times.

For example, after Israel made the golden calf idol, God reminded Israel that he chose them and said ”circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart and be no longer stubborn”. (Deuteronomy 10:16)  

They needed to turn from idols and purify their hearts in devotion to God.

So, what is repentance?

Repentance is a fundamental change of mind and heart, a complete turning away from sin and towards God It includes, but is not limited to, genuine sorrow for wrongdoing and commitment to a new, obedient path. It's more than just feeling bad; it's a redirection of one's life. It is demonstrated or proved by fruits of repentance, such as a change in sinful behavior and coming, or returning, to fellowship with God that includes obedience to his commands. 

Repentance is necessary for salvation. John the Baptist preached: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. (Matthew 3:2) 

Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. (Matthew 4:17) 

We must turn from our old life of disbelief and disobedience to God, and turn to a life of faith in Christ and obedience to his commands.

Then, as believers, we continue to repent as we discover ways in which our lives are not aligned with God’s laws. Martin Luther famously stated in his 95 Theses: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance”.

In verse 13, Joel begins speaking instead of the Lord, starting with the word “return”. (It is an odd verse break there.) 

Joel’s urging for the people to return to God is based on the character of God (his attributes). God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. These are the words God used to describe himself to Moses on Mount Sinai when God forgave Israel after they made the golden calf. (Exodus 34:6) Joel knows Scripture.

God often relents from sending disaster when his people repent. We see this in the book of Judges. Joel does not promise this, but says, based on God’s character, that he may relent and bless them. (14)

This need for repentance is so important that it must be done nationally. A solemn assembly of the whole population should be called. It must include the leaders and even the children. It is so important that even those about to be married should leave their ceremonies and attend the assembly. (15-16)

The priests should lead the way. They should cry out to the Lord, asking him to relent for the sake of his name and reputation. (17) 

Takeaways

God is faithful. He is faithful even when we are unfaithful as shown by the fact that Israel was often unfaithful.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict you of anything for which you need to repent. When you receive that, repent immediately and reset your course to holy living.