Joel, 2
16. Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.
16. Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.
Joel's chapter 2 describes a call to penance to the entire nation of Israel and a promise of restoration and blessings if they sincerely repent. There is also a description of a devastating army that God will send as a judgment on the people, but there is hope that those who turn to God will be saved. Below are five verses related to the themes of this chapter:
Psalm 51:17: "Sacrifices to God are the broken Spirit; to a broken and contrite heart thou shalt not despise, O God." This verse talks about what pleases God in terms of sacrifices. Joel also calls the people to sincerely repent of their sins and turn to God.
Isaiah 58:6: "This is not the fast I chose, that it loose the bandages of wickedness, who undoes the juggans and that they leave the oppressed, and shatters all yoke?" The fast mentioned in this verse is not just food abstinence, but a commitment to get rid of injustice and oppression. This relates to Joel's call for the people to regret their bad ways.
2 Chronicles 7:14: "And if my people, which is called by my name, humble themselves, and pray, and pursue my face, and convert from their evil ways, then I will hear from the heavens, and forgive the Your sins, and I will heal your land. " This verse talks about God's promise to forgive and heal those who repent and seek their face. It is a promise similar to what Joel makes to the people of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:18: "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; and I will guide them, and I will give them consolation, namely, to those who cry." This verse talks about God's compassion for those who repent and turn to Him. Joel also talks about God restoring the nation of Israel if they turn to him with sincere hearts.
Revelation 9:3-4: "And from the smoke came on the earth; and they were given power, as the power that have the scorpions of the earth. Any vegetables, nor the tree, but only to men who do not have God's seal on their forehead. " This verse describes a pest of locusts that destroys only those who do not have the seal of God. This is similar to the description of Joel's army that will destroy the earth, but will spare those who turn to God.
“O trabalho é tão sagrado como a oração”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
