What follows needs to become the (spiritual) property of the listeners, including all generations after them. This generation has a special responsibility. God engages with them (through Joel). This is a great opportunity: a chance to get to know God and his works and to make them known. What has happened does not only need to be passed on to the younger generation but they themselves must be taught that they need to pass it on to those who come after them. God is doing many great deeds. Not everything is written down for future generations. But what happened in Joel’s time is of such importance that you have to work with it to the present and beyond. Parents also have a duty and responsibility to pass on to their children what they have come to know about God (see Psalm 78:1–72).
Joel increases the tension. What follows is not only from the one true God, it is part of what God considers to have eternal relevance to his people.
3 Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.