
Text -- Joel 2:15 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
JFB -> Joe 2:15
JFB: Joe 2:15 - -- To convene the people (Num 10:3). Compare Joe 1:14. The nation was guilty, and therefore there must be a national humiliation. Compare Hezekiah's proc...
Clarke -> Joe 2:15
Blow the trumpet - Let no time be lost, let the alarm be sounded.
Calvin -> Joe 2:15
Calvin: Joe 2:15 - -- Here again the Prophet reminds them that there was need of deep repentance; for not only individuals had transgressed, but the whole people had becom...
Here again the Prophet reminds them that there was need of deep repentance; for not only individuals had transgressed, but the whole people had become guilty before God; and we also know how many and grievous their sins had been. There is no wonder then that the Prophet requires a public profession of repentance.
He bids them first to sound the trumpet in Zion. This custom, as we have seen at the beginning of the chapter, was in common use under the Law; they summoned their meetings by the sound of trumpets. There is then no doubt but that the Prophet here refers to an extraordinary meeting. They sounded the trumpets whenever they called the people to the festivals. But it must have been unusual for the Jews to proclaim a fast on account of God’s heavy judgment, which was to come on them unless it was prevented. He then shows the purpose of this, bidding them to sanctify a fast By this word
We slightly touched on the subject of fasting in the first chapter, but deferred a fuller discussion to this place. Fasting, we know, is not of itself a meritorious work, as the Papists imagine it to be: there is, indeed, strictly speaking, no work meritorious. But the Papists dream that fasting, in addition to its merit and worth, is also by itself of much avail in the worship of God; and yet fasting, when regarded in itself is an indifferent work. 5 It is not then approved by God, except for its end; it must be connected with something else, otherwise it is a vain thing. Men, by private fastings prepare themselves for the exercise of prayer, or they mortify their own flesh, or seek a remedy for some hidden vices. Now I do not call fasting temperance; for the children of God, we know, ought through their whole life to be sober and temperate in their habits; but fasting, I regard that to be, when something is abstracted from our moderate allowance: and such a fast, when practiced privately, is, as I have said, either a preparation for the exercise of prayer, or a means to mortify the flesh, or a remedy for some vices.
But as to a public fast, it is a solemn confession of guilt, when men suppliantly approach the throne of God, acknowledge themselves worthy of death, and yet ask pardon for their sins. Fasting then, with regard to God, is similar to black and mean garments and a long beard before earthly judges. The criminal goes not before the judge in a splendid dress, with all his fine things, but casts away every thing that was before elegant in his appearance, and by his uncombed hair and long beard he tries to excite the compassion of his judge. There is, at the same time, another reason for fasting; for when we have to do with men, we wish to please their eyes and conciliate their favor; and he who fasts, not only testifies openly that he is guilty, but he also reminds himself of his guilt; for as we are not sufficiently touched by the sense of God’s wrath, those aids are useful which help to excite and affect us. He then who fasts, excites himself the more to penitence.
We now perceive the right use of fasting. But it is of public fasting that the Prophet speaks here. For what purpose? That the Jews, whom he had before summoned, might present themselves before God’s tribunal, and that they might come there, not with vain excuses, but with humble prayer. This is the design of fasting. We now see how foolishly the Papists have abused fasting; for they think it to be a meritorious work; they imagine that God is honored by abstinence from meat; they also mention those benefits of fasting to which I have referred; but they join fasts with festivals, as if there was some religion in abstaining from flesh or certain meats. We now then perceive by what gross puerilities the Papists trifle with God. We must then carefully notice the end in view, whenever the Scripture speaks of fasting; for all things will be confounded, except we lay hold on the principle which I have stated — that fasting ought ever to be connected with its end. We shall now proceed.
TSK -> Joe 2:15

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Joe 2:15
Barnes: Joe 2:15 - -- Before, he had, in these same words Joe 2:1; Joe 1:14, called to repentance, because the Day of the Lord was coming, was near, "a day of darkness,"e...
Before, he had, in these same words Joe 2:1; Joe 1:14, called to repentance, because the Day of the Lord was coming, was near, "a day of darkness,"etc. Now , because God is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and plenteous in goodness,"he agains exhorts, "Blow ye the trumpet;"only the call is more detailed, that every sex and age should form one band of suppliants to the mercy of God. : "Most full abolition of sins is then obtained, when one prayer and one confession issueth from the whole Church. For since the Lord promiseth to the pious agreement of two or three, that He will grant whatever is so asked, what shall be denied to a people of many thousands, fulfilling together one observance, and supplicating in harmony through One Spirit?""We come together,"says Tertullian of Christian worship, "in a meeting and congregation as before God, as though we would in one body sue Him by our prayers. This violence is pleasing to God."
Poole -> Joe 2:15
Haydock -> Joe 2:15
Trumpet. Thus were festivals announced, Numbers x. 7.
Gill -> Joe 2:15
Gill: Joe 2:15 - -- Blow the trumpet in Zion,.... For the calling of the people together to religious duties, which was one use of the silver trumpets made for and blows ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Joe 2:1-32
TSK Synopsis: Joe 2:1-32 - --1 He shews unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.12 He exhorts to repentance;15 prescribes a fast;18 promises a blessing thereon.21 He comforts...
MHCC -> Joe 2:15-27
MHCC: Joe 2:15-27 - --The priests and rulers are to appoint a solemn fast. The sinner's supplication is, Spare us, good Lord. God is ready to succour his people; and he wai...
Matthew Henry -> Joe 2:12-17
Matthew Henry: Joe 2:12-17 - -- We have here an earnest exhortation to repentance, inferred from that desolating judgment described and threatened in the foregoing verses: Therefo...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Joe 2:15-17
Keil-Delitzsch: Joe 2:15-17 - --
To make this admonition still more emphatic, the prophet concludes by repeating the appeal for the appointment of a meeting in the temple for prayer...
Constable: Joe 2:1-27 - --III. A near future day of the Lord: A human invasion 2:1-27
Joel had spoken briefly of a coming day of the Lord ...

Constable: Joe 2:12-17 - --B. A call to repentance 2:12-17
Such an awesome prospect of invasion led Joel to appeal to the people of...
