Even amidst impending judgment, God's "saith the LORD" is not just a statement, but a weighty, authoritative utterance, conveying the profound seriousness of His appeal to turn. This isn't just an invitation, but a crucial, life-saving directive, revealing mercy at its most urgent.
“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. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just unleashed a devastating locust plague, described as an unstoppable army, that has brought widespread destruction and famine. In the midst of this terrifying judgment, God, through the prophet Joel, issues an urgent call not to despair, but to return to Him with genuine repentance. This plea emphasizes that even now, with ruin all around, there is still hope if they turn back to God wholeheartedly, expressing their sorrow through fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Judgment is coming, but before disaster strikes, God issues a desperate plea. What does it mean to heed this call?
The book of Joel describes a devastating locust plague, symbolizing God's coming judgment. Yet, amidst this terrifying prophecy, God Himself speaks through the prophet, offering a lifeline: 'Yet even now... return to me.'
A Gracious Interruption
This isn't a reluctant offer; it's a powerful, authoritative declaration from the LORD. Even with the impending doom, God's heart still longs for His people. He interrupts the devastating pronouncements to extend an invitation to turn back. It's a profound display of His grace – offering a chance for hope and salvation even when judgment seems certain.
Repentance isn't just saying sorry; it's a radical shift. What does it truly mean to turn 'with all your heart'?
God's call to 'return to me with all your heart' is the core of this passage. In ancient Hebrew thought, the 'heart' wasn't just the seat of emotions, but the center of intellect, will, and decision-making – the whole inner person.
Beyond Surface Sorrow
This means a repentance that is not superficial or partial. It’s not about a fleeting feeling or a token gesture. It’s a complete redirection of your entire being towards God. It involves your mind, your desires, your choices, and your deepest affections.
True Contrition
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This is why the verse calls for fasting, weeping, and mourning. These aren't just optional add-ons; they are the outward expressions of an inward reality. They signify a deep sorrow for sin, a recognition of how far you’ve strayed, and a profound grief over offending a holy God. It's the inner contrition that gives meaning to the outward actions.
Understand the original words
shuv · Hebrew Verb
To turn back or turn around; in a spiritual sense, it denotes a radical change of mind and direction (repentance) away from sin and back toward God.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
In biblical usage, the heart is the center of the human personality, encompassing the intellect, the will, the emotions, and the moral conscience.
qara' · Hebrew Verb
The act of tearing one’s clothing as an external expression of intense grief, shame, or distress. The prophet calls for an internal equivalent—contrition of the spirit—rather than mere external display.
channun · Hebrew Adjective
Showing kindness and favor, often toward those who do not deserve it; it describes God’s disposition of grace that initiates salvation.
rachum · Hebrew Adjective
A deep, compassionate, and visceral love that God feels for His people, often compared to the tenderness of a parent or the pity shown to the suffering.
erek appayim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A term denoting God’s patience and restraint in the exercise of His righteous judgment, allowing time for repentance.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A foundational Hebrew term (hesed) describing God's loyal, covenant-keeping, and unfailing love; it is the basis of His enduring faithfulness to His promises.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
To change one's mind or purpose, particularly regarding a decree of judgment, usually in response to the genuine repentance of the people.
The prophet Joel calls the people to a deep, heartfelt repentance using outward signs like fasting and mourning. This message is urgent because they are living in a period of severe hardship, likely after the exile, when the land is devastated by drought and locusts, and they need to turn back to God with their whole being to avoid complete destruction.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was at its peak of power, exerting immense military and political influence over the Near East, including the region of Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Under King Sennacherib, the Assyrians invaded Judah, capturing many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem, leading to a significant crisis for the kingdom.
Early 7th century BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
King Josiah initiated a major religious reformation, centralizing worship in Jerusalem and purging idolatry, following the discovery of the Book of the Law.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah, initiating a period of vassalage and deporting some of the Judean elite, including Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deported more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, intensifying the crisis of exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians utterly destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, leading to the final and most devastating exile for the people of Judah.
Post-Exilic Period (exact date uncertain)— this verse
Prophecy of Joel Delivered
The prophet Joel delivers his message during a time of post-exilic distress, possibly following the return from Babylon, where the community faces severe drought and locust devastation. He calls for sincere repentance to avert further disaster.
This passage echoes Joel's call to repentance, urging Israel to 'wash the evil from your heart' and return to the LORD, highlighting the necessity of inner cleansing for true repentance.
Luke 6:21Jesus' beatitude, 'Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh,' draws a parallel between the sorrow and mourning called for in Joel and the promised future joy for those who grieve over their sins.
Hosea 6:6This verse emphasizes that God desires 'steadfast love and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings,' aligning with Joel's call for heartfelt repentance (fasting, weeping, mourning) over mere outward religious acts.
Jonah 3:8The repentance of Nineveh, described as turning 'from their evil ways' and calling out to God with fasting and sackcloth, provides a powerful example of the kind of deep, outward expression of sorrow that Joel is calling for.
jfbJoel 2:12: "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:"
- With such judgments impending over the Jews, Jehovah Himself urges them to repentance.also now—Even now, what none could have hoped or believed possible, God still invites you to the hope of salvation.fasting … weeping … mourning—Their sin being most heinous needs extraordinary humiliation. The outward marks of repentance are to signify the depth of…
pulpitJoel 2:12: "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:"
Verses 12-14. - The judgment of the locusts was typical of the great day of judgment. The tartars of that day were designed to bring the people to repentance. Thus judgment was mingled with mercy. Verse 12. - Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with great fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. At this period of sore judgment God, by the p…
Even amidst impending judgment, God's "saith the LORD" is not just a statement, but a weighty, authoritative utterance, conveying the profound seriousness of His appeal to turn. This isn't just an invitation, but a crucial, life-saving directive, revealing mercy at its most urgent.
God has just unleashed a devastating locust plague, described as an unstoppable army, that has brought widespread destruction and famine. In the midst of this terrifying judgment, God, through the prophet Joel, issues an urgent call not to despair, but to return to Him with genuine repentance. This plea emphasizes that even now, with ruin all around, there is still hope if they turn back to God wholeheartedly, expressing their sorrow through fasting, weeping, and mourning.
God has just unleashed a devastating locust plague, described as an unstoppable army, that has brought widespread destruction and famine. In the midst of this terrifying judgment, God, through the prophet Joel, issues an urgent call not to despair, but to return to Him with genuine repentance. This plea emphasizes that even now, with ruin all around, there is still hope if they turn back to God wholeheartedly, expressing their sorrow through fasting, weeping, and mourning.
"“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 m…" — Even amidst impending judgment, God's "saith the LORD" is not just a statement, but a weighty, authoritative utterance, conveying the profound seriousness of His appeal to turn. This isn't just an in…
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Last reviewed October 2026
