Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year C
Joel 2:12-18
Rend Your Heart
March 1, 2028
Overview & Insights
“Return to me with all your heart… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)
This is one passage in Joel where it is absolutely necessary that we understand what the original Hebrew says, because the NIV translation has missed the force of the opening words. Verse 12 begins with “ But even now,” the “but” being translated from what is known as a waw adversative, and it is that “but” that is all important.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Working Preacher
Covers the Ash Wednesday form of this same passage in the RCL.
Enduring Word: Joel 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse-by-verse walk through the Day of the Lord and the call to repent.
BibleHub: Joel 2 Commentaries BibleHub
Multiple classic commentaries stacked at verse 12, where the call to return begins.
Precept Austin: Joel 2 Commentary Precept Austin
A conservative, resource-heavy verse-by-verse treatment of the chapter.
StudyLight: Joel 2, Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Barnes' classic notes add a fifth distinct commentary voice on the text.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Joel call for?
The Lord calls his people to true repentance, not outward show but a torn heart, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.
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