Joel 2:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And my people shall not be put to shame for ever; you will witness that I am present in the midst of Israel, I am the Lord your God, and there is none like me. My people shall not be forsaken eternally. The manifestation of the Incarnation makes it clear that He who lowered Himself and became like humanity chose to dwell among the people of the earth, as stated in Philippians 2:7. This is when He revealed Himself ‘in the midst of Israel,’ allowing us to be free from disgrace, liberated from humiliation, following the defeat of death, the eradication of sin, and the introduction of true enlightenment. We no longer offer worship to 'the creation instead of the Creator' (Romans 1:25), and we acknowledge no other deity apart from Him. Thus, we have been enriched by the hope that is certain (2 Corinthians 1:7) and by our faith in everlasting life, in holiness and righteousness of conduct.

You will come to realize through your own experiences that I, who have looked after you, choose to reside among you; I, before whom heaven serves as a throne and earth a footstool (Psalm 66:1). You will discern the impotence of your idols and understand that I am the one true God, capable of both chastising those who transgress and forgiving those who turn away from sin. If you persist in these reflections, you will experience perfect confidence and will no longer face the reproaches of the nations. Having proclaimed what would follow my return—namely, freedom from bondage, divine liberation, refreshing air, plentiful harvests, release from falsehood, and the illumination of God's truth—the Lord also reveals the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts, bestowed after the Incarnation, the salvific suffering, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of the Only Begotten into heaven, the God of all people imparted to the holy Apostles and, through them, to all believers throughout the world.