September 13: Joel 1-3

September 13, Joel 1-3

Today we get to read together the book of Joel. We don’t know much about Joel but we do know that God spoke to and through Him. Joel’s name means “Yahweh is God.” One of the major themes is The day of the Lord - let us not get tired of reading about that, rather we should be excited to live in the anticipation of the day of the Lord. Yahweh, through Joel, calls all people to repentance and to turn back to the Lord. Let’s do this!

Joel 1 Yahweh speaks to Joel about an invasion of locusts. In essence, God is saying that there will be physical ramifications because of their disobedience and sin. God will bring pestilence and hardship upon people and nature, in order to bring His people to repentance. The people will see the natural things of life altered and this is in order to have people repent and prepare for the Lord’s coming - because the time is near.

Joel 2 Joel talks about the Day of the Lord, which is a future event. Joel uses the word like a lot in this book, because (like Ezekiel) Joel has a hard time putting into relatable words what God had shown him. The locusts are demonic in nature and have the ability to do things (climb walls and leap on a city) that human armies cannot do. Regardless, God is the one in charge of these locusts… “The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?” Crazy thought, I know - but God is Sovereign and in control of everything. Joel calls the people to return to Yahweh with all their heart, both physically and spiritually come to Him. God will still be gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love - but repentance comes from us. God will renew His people and protect them. Those who trust in Yahweh will be taken care of by God Himself. 

“And it shall come to pass afterward,

    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

    your old men shall dream dreams,

    and your young men shall see visions.

Even on the male and female servants

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

Peter quotes this in the New Testament. This is happening now, it was happening in Peter’s day. We are in the time of preparation of the Day of the Lord. God will do supernatural things that cannot be explained (watch the news and you will see that we have things going on that even the most brilliant of scientists cannot explain). “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is much to look forward to!

Joel 3 God will restore His people and will judge the whole world. God will bring them - those nations that oppose the Lord - to the Valley of Jehoshaphat - is not just referring to a literal place, but it means 'the place that Yahweh has Judged' - this will be a real event. Those who put their hope and trust in God will be taken care of and have a future hope that will not return void. The book ends with a warning that God will avenge. We have been warned…

To sum it all up: 

• We need to really listen to what Joel is saying to us today - we need to stop living a lifestyle of selfishness and literally prepare for the Lord’s coming. It could be 100 years from now or tomorrow… but wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry and begin to live the life that God has called you to live today? Procrastinate and you run the risk… 
• God is the same yesterday, today, and forever - God will have nothing to do with our sinful lifestyles. He is calling us to a lifestyle that is reflective of a full on pursuit of holiness. Anything less than that is not good enough. This is not works based faith I am referring to - it is putting your money where your mouth is. You say you believe in Christ, then live like it. 
• Do not be shocked when you see what Joel said would happen - happening. God is alive and well and getting us ready for Him coming back for us.