Day 20 - Joel 2:12-13

A Fasted Journey for Spiritual Renewal

Day 20

““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” -Joel 2:12-13

In yesterday’s post you may have noticed the mention of “the day of the Lord.” The “day of the Lord” is mentioned 17 times in the Old Testament, five of which are found in the short book of Joel. Yesterday’s reference to it is the first time it is found in the book. My study Bible describes the day of the Lord as “the occasion when God pours out His wrath on humanity.” It further says that Joel directed this warning toward his own people because the day of the Lord was speedily approaching. Unless sinners repent, dire consequences await them.

This theme of repentance and the outward symbol of fasting has been seen at least once in the last twenty days. We say it when we took a look at Jonah. Although “the day of the Lord” wasn’t explicitly referenced there, Jonah called Nineveh to repent. They did, at the urging of the king. The king whom also consecrated a fast for all people and even livestock in the land.

Did the same thing happen when Joel urged the leaders of his time to repent, call the people to repent, and declare a fast? Yes! As the book of Joel continued, he ramped up his calls for repentance, and by God’s grace, the people listened. They repented. As today’s verse notes, the people were called to return to the Lord with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Yet again we see the Biblical theme of fasting as an outward symbol of repentance.

Another similarity to Jonah is also seen. In the next verse after today’s it says, “Who knows whether he will not turn and relent…” This is the exact same terminology used in Jonah 3:9 by the king where he said, “Who knows? God may turn and relent…” God did in that case as well. The similarities here are striking. Fasting combined with repentance. I pray more in our nation will recognize the need for national repentance.

Shortly after our verses today, the Lord does relent. There is a drastic shift in Joel’s writing from 1:1 - 2:17 and the rest of the book. Verse 18 says, “Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people.” This biblical account in Joel is also similar to Jeremiah 18:7-10 which was discussed on Day 10 when we covered Jonah a bit. God can and will relent from the disaster He intends a nation, or even an individual as has been discussed previously too. We just have to see our need for Him and the work that Christ did on the cross to cleanse us from our own unrighteousness. We must repent.

Of the remaining verses in Joel, my study Bible again notes, “With the advent of v.18, the text makes a decisive transition, devoting the remainder of the book to restoraration. It assumes an interval of time between v.17 and v.18 during which Israel repented. As a result of their repentance, the three major concerns [addressed in the preceding verses in Joel] are answered by the Lord: physical restoration, spiritual restoration, and national restoration. I pray all these come to our land as well.

I am not a medical professional. This journal is about my spiritual path and about that which the Lord has placed on me. This is not medical advice, nor was this fast done for any medical purpose. If you have a medical interest, seek medical advice. If you have particular health concerns, seek medical advice and/or conduct your own research. Any fasting advice, effects, realizations or anything else related to my fast come from my personal reflection and experience. If you are considering fasting, consulting with a healthcare provider may be appropriate for you.