WHAT YOU DO ON JUDGEMENT DAY
Key verse 2 : 12
Joel's call for repentance continues. As he witnessed the
devastation of the Earth by the grasshoppers (sauterelles) Joel warns the
people that the Lord's Day is approaching.
1. God's big army
(1-14)
God
says to Sonnez du cor. This is the priest's role and he does this to announce
the coming of the Lord. This glorious moment hails hope, victory and salvation
(Am 5 : 18). However, Joel forwarns his people that should they not repent
of their ways, it will be their judgement day. Joel describes this day in Great
detail explaining that it starts with the invasion of the sauterelles. It will
be a day of absolute darkness and one with an overcast sky. The Earth that was
once like Eden will change into a desert Land and this will be due to the
sauterelles. These sauterelles have heads similar to those which horses have. The
sound they make when marching is similar to that of chariots. The insects run
like soldiers that climb a wall in rank and file as they prepare for war. Faced
with the silmultaneous changes in weather and in nature, the people tremble
with fear. This description, often considered as a part of Joel’s exageration, is
only used to help his people to repent. No one can withstand the great Day of
Judgement.
2. Come back to me
(12-17)
After having showed the Israelites
the great and terrible judgement that shall fall upon them should they not
repent, He reassures them that it's not too late to come back to Him. He
promises them that should they return they will avoid this calamity. However,
God does not a formalistic type of penitence but a real one coming from the
heart (12,13). We must not mourn in appearance but mourn deep down in our hearts.
For God is good, merciful and slow to anger but He also knows the heart of
every single one of us. If our heart is really sincere God will come and
restore us. The priest plays a very important role in this process as it is
they who consecrates themselves to God and offer him prayers of intercession
whilst crying (17). It is they who declare a fast for everyone including the
babies in the community (16). Even though God’s anger is impetuous it will
dissipate due to Israelites's penitence. 
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