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"Suddenly, Joel's vision of the future unfolds the final, climactic DAY OF THE LORD " Joel sees very disturbing visions of Israel being desroyed by plagues of locusts.
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"Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land." In order to save Israel from this destruction, Joel thinks it is his responsibility to warn the Israelites about a plague of locusts.
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"After picturing the ravages of the locusts, he urges the priests to assemble the community for a solemn fast." Joel believes God has become upset with the Israelites, so he gathers a city council so they can adress the issue.
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"Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes? By fasting, Joel believes that God will become less vengeful of the Israelites. In addition the priests also pray god to have mercy on the people.
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"Only those "who call on the name of the Lord," the remnant of Israel who had remained true to Zion and Jerusalem, will escape total destruction." God palnned this destruction because he felt like the Israelites were not being as faithful as they should. He offers to save the Israelites from this destruction only is they remain faithful. Another display of the Lord's vanity.
