“Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.”

The warning must go out. The people must hear the final deal. They must know the danger they are in and not walk blindfolded into the wrath of God. There must be the public proclamation of the gospel so that all can have the opportunity to hear. It must be loud and strong like the trumpet sounding a clear note of attention so that no one misses their opportunity to repent and turn from their wickedness. 

“For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?”

1 Corinthians 14:8

The trumpet calls the people a solemn and sacred gathering. This is the most serious of assemblies to gather the hearts of the people to the Lord. There is to be fasting, to focus the mind on the seriousness of this situation for the whole Israelites nation. This is a public and national expression of guilt and confession of sin, that it may be forgiven and covered over by the mercy of God. 

In our day, surely the trumpet sounds an uncertain sound. We pray that God will raise up those who will proclaim the gospel in all its power and glory to a dying culture. We are on the same road as these Israelites in the prophet Joel’s day, and stand at a precipice of doom, though we don’t know it, for we are anaesthetised to our need and our danger. Beloved, let us all awaken and share the good news of Jesus Christ to the dying world and rescue many from the darkness. Let us be bold and courageous for the sake of Christ and the people who will perish without Him.