Joel 2:12

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, etc.] Before this terrible and intolerable day, which is near at hand, comes; before these judgments and calamities threatened take place, though just at hand; serious repentance is never too late, now is the accepted time; (see <421942>Luke 19:42-44 <470602>2 Corinthians 6:2); turn ye [even] to me with all your heart; against whom they had sinned, and who had prepared his army against them, and was at the head of it, just ready to give the orders, and play his artillery upon them; and yet suggests, that even now, that if they turned to the Lord by true repentance, not, feignedly and hypocritically, but cordially and sincerely, with true hearts, and with…”

“With such judgments impending over the Jews, Jehovah Himself urges them to repentance. also now--Even now, what none could have hoped or believed possible, God still invites you to the hope of salvation. fasting . . . weeping . . . mourning--Their sin being most heinous needs extraordinary humiliation. The outward marks of repentance are to signify the depth of their sorrow for sin.”

“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 your garments” in sorrow, I command you to rend, not them but your hearts which are full of sin, which, like bladders, unless they be opened, will burst of themselves. And when ye have done this,…”

“2:12-17 Joel calls on the people to repent and throw themselves on the mercy of their compassionate God. 2:12 This verse begins with the words the Lord says, a phrase that frequently accompanies divine speeches in the prophets. This is the only time that it occurs in Joel (“says the Lord” in 3:1 is supplied by the translators), and it indicates that this gracious invitation came directly from God. • Turn to me now, while there is time: The Lord implored his people to repent because the day of judgment was near. There was still opportunity to avoid the coming destruction if they returned to the Lord their God with true repentance. • Unlike other prophets, Joel never catalogs the sins…”

“turn: Deu 4:29, Deu 4:30; Sa1 7:3; Kg1 8:47-49; Ch2 6:38, Ch2 6:39, Ch2 7:13, Ch2 7:14; Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Jer 4:1, Jer 29:12, Jer 29:13; Lam 3:40, Lam 3:41; Hos 6:1, Hos 12:6, Hos 14:1; Zac 1:3, Zac 1:4; Act 26:20 with fasting: Jdg 20:26; Sa1 7:6; Ch2 20:3, Ch2 20:4; Neh 9:1, Neh 9:2; Isa 22:12; Jon 3:5-8; Zac 7:3, Zac 7:5, Zac 12:10-14; Jam 4:8, Jam 4:9 Joel 2:13”

“But there is still time to avert the completion of the judgment by sincere repentance and mourning; for God is merciful, and ready to forgive the penitent. Joe 2:12. "Yet even now, is the saying of Jehovah, turn ye to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Joe 2:13. And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn back to Jehovah your God; for He is gracious and merciful, long-suffering, and great in kindness, and suffers Himself to repent of the evil. Joe 2:14. Who knoweth He turns and repents, and leaves behind Him blessing, meat-offering and drink-offering for Jehovah your God?" As the plague of locusts was intended to bring the people to reflect…”