Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 15

 Return to the Lord

Verses 15-17: This is the second invitation to “blow the trumpet in Zion.” It summons the whole nation to an assembly of repentance in order to implore God’s mercy.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Joel 2:15

Blow the trumpet... The opening words of Joel 2:1, Blow the trumpet in Zion, are repeated. The fear elicited by the sound of the watchman’s trumpet (Joel 2:1) was to prompt another sound of the ram’s horn, this time calling the people to a holy fast and sacred assembly (cf. Joel 1:14). For the blowing of a ram’s horn was also used to call religious convocations (cf. Lev. 25:9; Psm 81:3). For the calling of the people together to religious duties, which was one use of the silver trumpets made for and blows by the priests (Num. 10:2).

Sanctify ye a fast] Sanctify—used three times in Joel:

1. Sanctify a fast (Joel 1:14).

2. Sanctify a fast (Joel 2:15).

3. Sanctify the congregation (Joel 2:16).

The use of the word here, as in all other places in Scripture, indicates setting something apart for a sacred use. Removing what is sometimes called "the old man" is not the idea, as can be seen, for fasts and many other things mentioned in the Bible as being sanctified do not have such to be "taken out." The prophet called the priest to take action, first by example (verse 13), and then by proclamation (verse 14). As the official leaders, it was their duty to proclaim a public fast so that the entire nation could repent and petition the Lord to forgive and restore. Here they were admonished to “consecrate” a fast, denoting its urgent, sacred character.

a solemn assembly... A solemn assembly was a day of restraint, a religious and political gathering of a serious nature (Joel 2:15; 2Kgs. 10:20; 2Ch. 7:9; Neh. 8:18; Isa. 1:13). Here it was a call to cry to God for mercy and deliverance. Directives for calling an assembly, generally for uncontrollable purposes (2Chr. 7:9; Neh. 8:18), are given (in Num. 10:3). Parallel in thought to “consecrate a fast,” no work was permitted on such days (Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35; Deut. 16:8). The second part of this call to repentance is an appeal to the nation to congregate for a formal ceremony of lamentation and prayer.

The fast was used to show the LORD the sincerity of the prayer being prayed. The assembly was not to be one of joy, but sorrow. This is a call of prayer by all of the inhabitants of the land to reach God. The leaders and the ministers were probably, remembering the following Scripture.

2Chr. 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

If there is a possibility of the plague of locusts being stopped, blow the trumpet and gather the people to repent. This is just as true today. We must blow the trumpet, and cause revival to sweep across our land, if we expect God to stay the plague of insurrection being led by certain political groups against the true president.

An appeal for national involvement

The second part of this call to repentance is an appeal to the nation to congregate for a formal ceremony of lamentation and prayer.

The opening words of Joel 2:1, Blow the trumpet in Zion, are repeated. The fear elicited by the sound of the watchman’s trumpet (Joel 2:1) was to prompt another sound of the ram’s horn, this time calling the people to a holy fast and sacred assembly (cf. Joel 1:14). For the blowing of a ram’s horn was also used to call religious convocations (cf. Lev. 25:9; Psm. 81:3).