Joel – “rend your heart and not your garments”

The beginning of the book of Joel paints the picture of a terrible locust plague coming from the Lord upon Judah and devastating the land (1-2:11), yet it ends with the Lord restoring the land (2:18-32) and judging all the enemies of Judah (3).  What would lead to such a change?  The Lord’s love and the people’s repentance.  The Lord told them, “Now return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (2:13).  But He was not seeking some superficial and empty display of repentance.  He said, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.” (2:12-13).  He wanted heartfelt sorrow that produces true repentance.  The same sorrow today still produces the repentance that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:8-10), for we serve the same gracious and compassionate God. Have a great day in His word!

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