(27) I am in the midst of Israel.--This Divine assurance, similar to that with which the book ends, prepares the way for the spiritual blessings about to be announced.
2:15-27 The priests and rulers are to appoint a solemn fast. The sinner's supplication is, Spare us, good Lord. God is ready to succour his people; and he waits to be gracious. They prayed that God would spare them, and he answered them. His promises are real answers to the prayers of faith; with him saying and doing are not two things. Some understand these promises figuratively, as pointing to gospel grace, and as fulfilled in the abundant comforts treasured up for believers in the covenant of grace.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,.... The presence of God among his people shall be so manifest, the tokens of it so clear, that it shall be easily known, by the impressions of his love upon them; the teachings of his Spirit in them; the usefulness of the word and ordinances to them; the spiritual and heavenly frame of soul they shall be favoured with, and the savouriness of their conversation; this is the blessing Christ has promised to Gospel ministers and churches, Matthew 28:20;
and that I am the Lord your God, and none else; that he is their covenant God and Father, and acknowledge none else:
and my people shall never be ashamed; which is repeated for the certainty of it; see Joel 2:26.
and that I am the Lord your God, and none else; that he is their covenant God and Father, and acknowledge none else:
and my people shall never be ashamed; which is repeated for the certainty of it; see Joel 2:26.