“But,” Joel continued, “God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. If His people would repent of their ways and seek His forgiveness, they may be able to avoid punishment for their disobedience.”
Blog – God’s Messenger: Joel, Part 1
Joel went to the city gates and began by asking the elders a rhetorical question about devastation by locusts. He continued by answering his question for the benefit of all that would listen. He outlined four different devastations; but, it appears that the forewarning of God’s punishment for disobedience fell on deaf ears.