Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 06, 2026

The Book of Joel,
 Study 5: Joel 2:12-17 Bible Study Questions

After the alarm of judgment comes one of Joel's most gracious invitations: "Yet even now." God calls His people to return, not with empty religious display, but with fasting, weeping, mourning, and hearts truly torn before Him. This study explores the meaning of wholehearted repentance, the call to a solemn assembly, and the priests' plea for God to spare His people. Even under deserved judgment, the Lord reveals Himself as gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness.

Book of Joel: Importance of Joel

Study Questions: Intro1-Purpose | Intro2-Design | 1:1-20 | 2:1-11 | 2:12-17 | 2:18-27 | 2:28-32 | 3:1-21

Commentary and Reflections: 1🔢11 | 2:12-27 | 2:28-32 | 3:1-21

Joel 2:12-17 Study Questions

1. Read Joel 2:12-27 aloud in your preferred translation.
2. What does ‘yet even now” in 2:12 refer to?
3. Joel 2:12-26 is divided into two main sections by the word “then” in verse 18. The Lord establishes a new cause-and-effect pattern: if someone does ___, then ___ will happen. What is the cause—the change in behavior that the Lord desires from them (12-17)? List at least five clauses that describe this change, along with their verse numbers.

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1. Joel 2:12 states, “Return to Me with all your heart.” This clause contains three elements. Explain each.

(1) “Return”

(2) “to Me”

(3) “with all your heart”

1. How does the “fasting, weeping, and mourning” (also from 2:12) fit into the meaning of the above clause?
2. Joel 2:13 explains how to return to the Lord: “Rend your heart and not your garments, Now return to the Lord your God.” What does it mean to rend your heart? Feel free to look it up in a dictionary. Write a prayer that arises from such a heart.
3. Joel also explains why a return to the Lord is possible in verse 13. Clarify. Define each key term or phrase in your own words.
4. The first part of 2:14 says, “Who knows whether he will not turn and relent.” Can you recall another passage that illustrates this? Elaborate. Explain how 2 Samuel 24 serves as an example of this.
5. The last part of 2:14 is unclear and can be understood in several ways. It might mean that He leaves a small amount of food during His fierce judgment (instead of consuming it), or more likely, that He won’t destroy every last person but will leave a remnant that seeks Him. Explain the last part of verse 14 as best as you can, using either this interpretation or another.
6. Read 2:15. Where did we read of blowing a horn before?
   
   • In Numbers 10:3-8, instructions for blowing the horn are given. Why was a horn told to be blown? 
   
   
   • To what might this horn refer?
7. What were people supposed to do to find possible relief at the sound of the trumpet? List at least five actions from verses 15-17.

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1. Use verses 15-17 to describe the specific signs of the “solemn assembly.’ How does this differ from a particularly lengthy prayer gathering?
2. The phrase “solemn assembly” has recently been used to encourage God’s people to gather humbly and pray for an extended time, earnestly seeking God’s grace. Is this a good practice? What reasons might there be for someone to call for this in your area today?
3. Verse 16 says to “sanctify the congregation.” What might it have meant back then (also refer to Nehemiah 8-9)? What could it mean for us today?
4. Describe the most important point from this study for you and pray about it.

Joel 2:12-17 Study Verses

12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; 13 And rend your heart and not your garments. “Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil. 14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a libation For the LORD your God?

15 Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. 17 Let the priests, the LORD’S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Spare Thy people, O LORD, And do not make Thine inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” (Joel 2:12-17)