Bible Commentary

Joel 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary on Joel 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with great fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. At this period of sore judgment God, by the prophet, calls upon the people to return and repent, to fast and to weep, to grieve inwardly and mourn outwardly for sin.

He also instructs them how to engage in the duty of humiliation aright and acceptably. The humiliation was to be that of the heart—sorrow of heart for the sins by which they had offended God, inward shame on account of those iniquities by which they had wronged their own souls and marred their own best interests.

But while there behoved to be this inward contrition, outward expressions of it were also required. Genuine sorrow and shame for sin were to be accompanied by fasting, tears of penitence, and other indications of mourning.

With all your heart. Kimchi comments thus: "That your repentance be not with a heart and a heart."

Recommended reading

More for Joel 2:12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

commentaryMatthew Henry on Joel 2:1-14The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and…Matthew HenrycommentaryExhortation to Repentance. (b. c. 720.)EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE. (B. C. 720.) We have here an earnest exhortation to repentance, inferred from that desolating judgment described and threatened in the Joel 2:1-11: Therefore now turn you to the Lord. 1. "Thus…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Joel 2:12Conversion. God is not satisfied to utter threatenings and to foretell evil It is truly characteristic of him that he adds words of gracious entreaty, expostulation, and counsel. He would be deserving of our adoring gra…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Joel 2:12-14The judgment of the locusts was typical of the great day of judgment. The tartars of that day were designed to bring the people to repentance. Thus judgment was mingled with mercy.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Joel 2:12-17These verses summon the people To humiliation for sin, and thanksgiving for mercy. God, by his prophet, does not forbid the outward sign of sorrow, so customary among Orientals and common among the Jews; he rather insis…Joseph S. Exell and contributorsdevotionCut to the HeartCut to the heart. The right response to real Gospel is the right question: What shall I do?DiscipleDeck