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As Joel contemplates the two sides of the Day of the Lord he sees that the issue facing God’s people is the matter of choice. They are to decide to which side they belong. They are in the valley of decision (v.14). The Day is at hand. Which will it be, God’s wrath or his refuge? If they choose refuge, it will become perfectly clear to them that Yahweh is Lord and that he is capable of doing that which the prophet claims on God’s behalf (v.17). Not only so, but for those who heed the warning and respond to his gracious offer, there will be a Golden Age not unlike Eden (v.18), but for Egypt and Edom, symbols of rejection and disobedience, there is annihilation (v.19). For Judah, now made up of those who do call upon the Lord, there is forgiveness and a secure future (v.20).
The book of Joel, short as it is, is a beautifully stated affirmation that God is gracious in his willingness to forgive the repentant and supply them with his Spirit, by whom he is constantly present with his people. It is clear that the Lord will prevail in upholding righteousness and in destroying that which is evil.