The call to repentance

“It is clear throughout the Twelve that human penitential response is the preferred remedy for sin. All of the 8th-century prophets call the people to repentance even as they announce God’s judgment. Whereas these three books (Hosea, Amos, Micah) reveal a negative response to calls of this sort, mixed among them are two books, Joel and Jonah, that showcase positive responses. Connections between these two books and their vision for repentance are evident in the striking similarities between the rituals associated with the people’s repentance (fasting, sackcloth; cf. Joel 1:13–14, 2:15–16; Jonah 3:5–8).”—A Severe Mercy, page 347