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Joel uses the occasion of the locust invasion of Israel that led to great devastation to deliver a powerful spiritual message, calling for national repentance
While Israel already experienced God’s judgment, they should return to God reflecting the outward signs of repentance; fasting, weeping, and mourning
The sincerity of their repentance should not be merely outward but of inner transformation, a more intimate and personal response
Joel affirms God’s nature as gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and abounding in love
He preaches that the people should declare a holy fast and a sacred assembly, not excluding babies and newly wedded couples
The priests should cry between the open area in front of the temple and the altar, interceding for the people.
Now, evidence from the text showed that they did as Joel preached and God responded to them
God took pity on the people and promised new grain, wine, and oil, and the removal of either the locust swarm or an attacking army
The theme of the second passage is that the whole human race both Jew and Gentile, needs to be put right with God, for all are alike under the power of sin
Jews and Gentiles have turned away, no one is righteous, no one seeks God
Jews and Gentiles are characterized by foul talks, lying tongues, mouths full of cursing and bitterness, rush to commit murder, and the lack of fear of God
“What the law says is for those who are under the law. It stops anyone from making excuses. And it brings the whole world under God’s judgment”
“No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”
How then does God make people right?