Rend Your Heart

I can't think of a proper superlative to describe how much I marvel at the Bible.

Today I read two different scriptures, which I had probably never before read on the same day. The contrast between the two was striking, and reminded me once again, of the immensity and depth of God's Word.

I've been reading about the various kings during the divided kingdom and read today about Athaliah. She was the widow of Jehoram (king of Judah)and the daughter of wicked Ahab and Jezebel of Israel. Athaliah takes over the throne of Judah when her son is killed. An evil, evil woman, she has all of the royal family (or so she thinks) killed. Unbeknownst to her, her baby grandson, Joash, is secreted away to the temple, until he is presented as the rightful king at age seven.

When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people,...she looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, "Treason! Treason!"
2 Kings 11:13-14

Then, during the early years of Joash's reign, the prophet Joel speaks to the nation of Judah. He is telling the people to return to the Lord.

"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:12-13

I suppose ripping your clothes would help get some of your frustration out. But, think how much harder it is to rend your heart. God is always asking us to go beyond "simple" outward tasks and change our hearts. What a tall order that takes an entire lifetime to attempt!