According to the saying, the role of the prophet is to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” The prophet Joel has is own take on what that looks like. The people are definitely afflicted — apparently a locust plague has ruined their crops. But instead of offering an encouraging word Joel issues a dire warning. You think this is bad, just wait for what is in store unless you change your hearts. The long tradition of prophetic warnings has waned of late. After all, didn’t Jesus come preaching good news! But Joel wants us to understand that there are not “participation trophies” when it comes to God. We are called to conversion, to change from ways of selfishness into ways of kindness, compassion and mercy.