In 2 Kings 22, the long-lost but newly-discovered book of Deuteronomy is read before Josiah, and the king rends his garments in anguish and mourning over the sins that he and his people have committed apart from knowledge of the law.
In Romans 2:12, Paul writes: “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.”
I possess the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and have read them several times in their entirety. I own more than twenty copies of the Bible, in seven different languages, including seven different English translations. I have three degrees in biblical studies.
I know “what is good and what the Lord requires of me” (Mic 6:8). When was the last time I “rent my garments” in repentance for my sins?
Joel 2 instructs us to rend our heart and NOT our garments…just sayin old friend.
Bradus… Good point. Also worth considering: if I rend my rented garments, I would be destroying someone else’s property.