Exposition on Joel -34- 2:15-17

And then Joel nearly repeats his admonition from the first chapter with the reiteration of the command to blow the trumpet. He calls Jerusalem once again, here with the possibility of God relenting, to assemble in religious sincerity, to set aside a time to fast. Everyone was to congregate, all the people: the elders, the children, even the infants. The bridegroom and his bride are even to interrupt the ceremonial honeymoon in order to gather and plead to God for His mercy on all Jerusalem. And then Joel finally calls on the priests. A direct correlation to the representation of blessing that’s mentioned in v. 14, the priests are given explicit instruction regarding their petition before the Lord. They are to pray against the promised curse for their disobedience. In Deut. 28:25, 36-37 God warns the people that if they break His covenant they will be a spectacle in the world. They were to be a peculiar representation of the Kingdom on Earth but they would become the poster child for shame if they continued to break God’s covenant. They were supposed to be an example of God’s heavenly community right here in creation but in their persistent breaking of God’s Law, they would be punished by being made an example of forsakenness. This is what the priests were called to pray against—God disowning His own heritage. And so the priests were to appeal to God’s reputation in the world as a reason for Him not to forsake them and destroy them. God doesn’t just look down the corridors of time and make a plan and lay out promises that happen to be in accord with the future choices of His creatures. God is far more intentional than that. He is trustworthy and we can consider Him our loving Father because of three main things: He knows the future; nothing surprises the plans of God. He is capable; God can do anything He wants. And He is good; all that He wants to do is good. So we know we can trust Him because of His character and His control over all things.