Joel 1:2–2:17 – Judah Experiences A Foretaste Of The Day Of The Lord
Joel 2:18–3:21 – Judah Is Assured Of Salvation In The Day Of The Lord
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
My prayer is for you to join me on this journey. Subscribe to this blog below to get an email when a new post is available.
Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Joel was a prophet for the people of Judah, that is the southern kingdom, during the time of Jeremiah.
Suffice it to say, the locusts were a very real problem for Israel at this time! But this doesn’t last forever, “the threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil” (Joel 2:24). We read stories like this throughout the Old Testament, the people are bad and are disciplined, then the Lord restores them. It’s the time in between that always attracts my attention. What happens to those that are far from the “bookends” of the historical event? This is perhaps the most challenging time because we are neither at war or at complete peace. During a time of war, we are all focused on the common enemy, but we don’t want war because of the destruction and loss of life. We desire peace, but peace gives us comfort and we start to wander. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not advocating war by any means, but we must learn self-discipline even in good times. Joel preaches, “Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand…” (2:1), in an attempt to stir up the people and get them to remember it is God we serve. Sure, we tire of hearing, “it is close at hand,” perhaps because “close” isn’t definitive. Tell me it’ll happen next week or next month and you’ve got my attention, but close? What does that mean?
The root of the problem is self-centeredness. As long as I must be pleased through whatever trials and tribulations, I have missed the point. Our time on earth is brief and whatever comes our way here is temporary, no matter how difficult. Life eternal is something to be savored and shared with everyone! Lord, help me to keep this in mind every day! Forgive me for my self-seeking thoughts and help me to keep my eyes on you.
The famous quote in Joel is one that I long to see:
That is a fantastic promise! “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” (3:14). Without any bias toward gender, race, or social status, the multitudes of people will come to the Lord. Like a huge Billy Graham revival meeting, the land will be filled with those convicted by the Holy Spirit and there will be much rejoicing. This, this is the day I long to see! Amen!