Now that we have looked at what the book of Joel in the Old Testament says we now need to try and understand what it all means. That is, we need to interpret it.
There is no clear indication as to when this prophecy was given. It refers to a devastation of the land of Israel wrought by four successive swarms of locusts. Then it refers to an impending invasion by a ruthless, fierce army. God often allowed for famine or locust infestations to discipline His people or punish nations. He also used the armies of foreign nations to inflict punishment on His people to discipline them for their wayward and indifferent ways.
No wonder the prophet calls on God’s people to wake up and humbly seek God for restoration of their relationship with Him. God isn’t interested in a perfunctory act of religious ceremony. The prophet Joel calls for a solemn, sacred assembly where everyone takes part.
There is a call for fasting, weeping and mourning. But the crying out for God must be from the heart. They had a kind of sign language they practiced to show their sincerity, but rending their garments and throwing ashes over their heads could be done as a kind of performance.
God is not looking at the outward acts, even though He prescribed them. Those acts must come as an expression of the heart. So the prophet declares, “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments!” (Joel 2:12-13).
The repentance Joel was calling for is turning from waywardness and indifference toward a genuine heart response to God.
