[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOEL 2
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:12-13)
“Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things. Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches” (Joel 2:21-22)
“Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil” (Joel 2:23-24)
“You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed” (Joel 2:26-27)
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” (Joel 2:32)
AN ARMY OF LOCUST (vs. 1-11)
The trumpet is an alarm to warn people that calamities are coming. The locusts represent God’s army coming on “The Day of the Lord”. The charge like warriors marching to devastate the land. They rush upon the city, and run along the wall,m climb into the houses and enter through the window s like thieves.
REND YOUR HEART (vs. 12-17)
Joel summoned the people to return to God with fasting and confession. For the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.
THE LORD’S ANSWER (vs. 18-32)
God promised to take pity of His people and restore His blessings to the land. he will drive the army away. Wild animals will have open pastures and tress will bear fruits. He will send autumn and spring rains with abundant showers of blessings. he will repay what the locusts have eaten and they will know that the God is their God and they will never be shamed again.[:]