Joel 2:18

"Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, LORD, and don’t give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”"

Key Reflection

The priests and ministers of the LORD were instructed to weep and plead for mercy on behalf of the people, invoking divine compassion before the nations. This call echoes a sense of national crisis, where God’s chosen people face imminent judgment that could result in foreign domination. The original audience would have understood this as a poignant reminder that God's protection was essential; otherwise, their land and heritage might fall into the hands of adversaries, leading to shame and reproach among neighboring nations.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Then will the Lord be jealous for His land -Upon repentance, all is changed. Before, God seemed set upon their destruction. It was His great army which was ready to destroy them; He was at its head, giving the word. Now He is full of tender love for them, which resents injury done to them, as done to Himself. The word might more strictly perhaps be rendered, “And the Lord is jealous” . He would show how instantaneous the mercy and love of God for His people is, restrained while they are impenitent, flowing forth upon the first tokens of repentance.

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