Joel 2:16

“Gather the people, etc.] The common people, all the inhabitants of the land, (<290114>Joel 1:14); summon them to meet together in the temple, in order to humble themselves before God for their sins, and implore his mercy, and seek his face to remove his judgments, or avert them: sanctify the congregation; see that they are sanctified and prepared for a fast, as the law directs in such cases; that they may be clean and free from all ceremonial impurities; that their bodies and clothes be washed, and that they abstain from their wives, and from all lawful pleasures, as well as sinful ones: assemble the elders; both in age and authority; that they, by their presence and example, might influence…”

“sanctify the congregation--namely, by expiatory rites and purification with water [CALVIN], (Exo 19:10, Exo 19:22). MAURER translates, "appoint a solemn assembly," which would be a tautological repetition of Joe 2:15. elders . . . children--No age was to be excepted (Ch2 20:13). bridegroom--ordinarily exempted from public duties (Deu 24:5; compare Co1 7:5, Co1 7:29). closet--or, nuptial bed, from a Hebrew root "to cover," referring to the canopy over it.”

“Sanctify the congregation - o: “Do what in you lies, by monishing, exhorting, threatening, giving the example of a holy life, that the whole people present itself holy before its God” , “lest your prayers be hindered, and a little leaven corrupt the whole lump.” Assemble the elders - o: “The judgment concerned all; all then were to join in seeking mercy from God. None were on any pretence to be exempted; not the oldest, whose strength was decayed, or the youngest, who might seem not yet of strength.” The old also are commonly freer from sin and more given to prayer. Gather the children - o: “He Who feedeth the young ravens when they cry, will not neglect the cry of poor children. He assigns…”

“The children - Though they understand little what is done, yet their cities ascend, and God with pity looks on their tears. These that suck - Their cries and tears may perhaps move the congregation to more earnest supplication to God for mercy. So the Ninevites, Jon 3:7-8. The bridegroom - Let the new married man leave the mirth of the nuptials and afflict himself with the rest. Joel 2:17”

“2:16 bridegroom . . . and the bride: Newlyweds were exempt from most civic duties in ancient Israel (Deut 24:5; Luke 14:20), but in this emergency, everyone would be summoned to the Temple to cry out to God.”

“sanctify: Exo 19:10, Exo 19:15, Exo 19:22; Jos 7:13; Sa1 16:5; Ch2 29:5, Ch2 29:23, Ch2 29:24, Ch2 30:17, Ch2 30:19, Ch2 35:6; Job 1:5 assemble: Joe 1:14; Deu 29:10, Deu 29:11; Ch2 20:13; Jon 3:7, Jon 3:8 let: Zac 12:11-14; Mat 9:15; Co1 7:5 Joel 2:17”