Joel 2:15-17
The trumpet sounds again for a sacred fast and solemn assembly; the entire community gathers — from elders to infants — and the priests cry out between the porch and altar: Spare Your people, Lord, and let not Your heritage be put to shame.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.
16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts. Let the bridegroom go out of his room, and the bride out of her room.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, Yahweh, and don’t give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
The trumpet sounds again for a sacred fast and solemn assembly; the entire community gathers — from elders to infants — and the priests cry out between the porch and altar: Spare your people, LORD, and let not your heritage be put to shame.
To command the gathering of every member of the covenant community — from elders to nursing infants to the bridegroom and bride — for sacred fast and priestly intercession, pleading with the LORD to spare his people and protect his name among the nations.
This unit mirrors the structure of 1:13-14 (priests summoned) but now with the return call of 2:12-14 operative. The assembly is more comprehensive, the priests' location is specified (between the porch and altar), and the prayer is recorded in full. The LORD's response in 2:18-20 answers this prayer directly — both concerns (the people's welfare and the LORD's name) are addressed.
The Alarm of the Day of the LORD and the Promise of Restoration
When the day of the LORD exposes the terror of judgment, God summons his people to wholehearted return and promises restoration, Spirit-outpouring, and salvation for all who call on his name.