Joel uses a question rather than a statement to invite hope without presumption, acknowledging that repentance does not obligate God but appeals to His character, thereby motivating genuine contrition without manipulating divine grace.

The text does not record a direct verbal response to Joel’s question, but the subsequent prophecy in verses 18-27 reveals God’s answer through action: ‘Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people,’ promising restoration of crops, removal of the locust army, and abundance that would restore the sacrificial system.

Joel’s question ‘Who knows whether he will not turn and relent’ expresses hopeful uncertainty grounded in God’s revealed character rather than despair or presumption. The Hebrew construction yodea mi (יוֹדֵעַ מִי, ‘who knows?’) acknowledges divine sovereignty while inviting Israel to test God’s mercy through genuine repentance. Joel chooses a question because declaration would either presume upon God’s grace or extinguish the hope needed to motivate return. The phrase ‘leave a blessing behind him’ employs vivid spatial language, picturing God’s judgment as a departing army that might yet leave provision in its wake, specifically the grain and drink offerings whose absence had threatened covenant relationship. This question carries profound theological weight because it affirms both God’s freedom and His faithful character, refusing to manipulate divine mercy while anchoring hope in Yahweh’s self-disclosed compassion.