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Lent · Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-19

Rend Your Heart

February 18, 2026

The Procession of Flagellants (Los Disciplinantes), Francisco de Goya
The Procession of Flagellants (Los Disciplinantes), Francisco de Goya, c. 1812–1819Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, via Wikimedia Commons
One of Goya's small paintings of Spanish popular religion, made for himself rather than a patron: a procession of hooded penitents beating themselves in white light.Rend your hearts and not your clothing: Joel asks for the inward thing, and Goya painted the outward one being done instead.Francisco de GoyaCourt painter to Spain who went deaf, watched a war, and spent his last years painting things nobody had commissioned and nobody wanted.Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, via Wikimedia CommonsSpain's royal academy of fine arts, where Goya was a director, holding several of his most private paintings.Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:(1-6) 16-21Mt 6:(1-6) 16-21
Epistle2 Pet. 1:2-112 Pt 1:2-11
Old TestamentJoel 2:12-19Jl 2:12-19Alt. OTJonah 3:1-10Jon 3:1-10
PsalterPs. 51:1-13 (14-19)Ps 51:1-13 (14-19)

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

Joel 2 - Enduring Word Bible CommentaryJl 2 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on the call to return to the Lord with fasting and weeping, and God's promise to restore.

Joel 2 CommentaryJl 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-level notes and word studies on rending the heart, the day of the Lord, and God's relenting mercy.

Joel 2:12 CommentariesJl 2:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the summons to genuine repentance rather than outward show.

Background & Word Study

Book of Joel OverviewBook of Jl Overview BibleProject

Animated overview tracing Joel's call to repentance and hope of restoration.

The Day of the Lord (theme) BibleProject

A theme study on the biblical day of the Lord that stands at the center of Joel 2.

Joel 2:12 InterlinearJl 2:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text with parsing for the verbs of turning, rending, and returning to God.

Joel 2 (Hebrew text with commentaries)Jl 2 (Hebrew text with commentaries) Sefaria

The Hebrew of Joel 2 with Jewish commentary and cross references for close reading.

The Church Fathers

Joel 2 commentary from the Church FathersJl 2 commentary from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic readings of Joel's call to repentance and the outpouring promised by God.

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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