Study 2 - More to come

Read Joel 2.1-27.

In chapter 1, Joel called all sorts of people to consider what was going on around them and to express their emotions. They were to wake up, lament, mourn, feel ashamed, wail, and pray. Perhaps the words of another prophet might have been cried out to the Lord, “In wrath, remember mercy!” (Hab 3.2).

However, the locust plague, drought, and fire were only a wake-up call. The proper response from the people was to turn back to the Lord and trust him for mercy. But things had gone too far and a further and more devastating judgment was to come. This time it was to be the devastation of invasion by a foreign army.

There are three sections to notice.
vv1-11– Joel gives an alarm call.
vv12-17 – Joel pleads for people to repent.
vv18-27 – Joel holds out hope.

Vv1-11                  The Lord’s people, Israel, lived in the Promised Land but they were to remain loyal to him, turning neither to the left nor to the right (Deut. 5.32). He promised blessing for obedience and calamity for disobedience (see Deut 11). Again and again, his people turned away from the Lord, as the book of Judges records.

The Lord is indeed patient and kind (Ex 34.6,7; 2 Pet 3.9) but the persistent sin and rebellion of his people resulted in judgement. This was the day of the Lord Joel said was coming (vv1,11).

Consider: do I ever take the grace of God for granted? Do I ever turn away from him, ever so slightly perhaps, and forget there could be consequences? See Heb 12.6. However, we are so thankful for as the psalmist wrote, “But with you (Lord) there is forgiveness, that you may be feared” (Ps. 130.4).

Joel’s words not only pointed to the coming invasion by a pagan army when the Lord’s people would be exiled from Israel, he prophesied the time of Jesus and even beyond.

When the Lord Jesus was crucified the world became dark, as he, the Light of the world, died for our sin and rebellion against God (Matt. 27.45, cf. Joel 2.10). That was indeed the day of the Lord. Further, in his prophecy of the end-times, Jesus paints the same picture as Joel when there will be global darkness (Matt. 24.29f). Yet this is not the time of an invading human army. It is the final day of the Lord, the day of judgement which should cause everyone, everywhere to repent and turn to Jesus.

Consider: although natural calamities and personal trials may not be a direct disciplining act of God they are all always permitted by him. Such times, including this current pandemic, are very much wake-up calls for people to turn to the living God through faith in the Lord Jesus while he yet may be found, and to call upon him while he is near. He is ready and willing to forgive. (Isa. 55.6,7).

Vv12-17               To repent is for the whole person to turn around – mind, soul, and body. And the Lord, through Joel, promises he will be gracious (v13). There is always the hope – and not a vain hope – that he will bless and restore a devastated situation (v14). God’s kindness is a motivator for us to repent (Rom. 2.4). There is not a day when we do not need to turn our mind back to the Lord.

Joel is quite insistent there should be a national turning to God. He calls for a solemn assembly (1.14a; 2.15b), he demands an alarm be sounded (2.1,15a). The ministers of God are to lead by example (1.9,13; 2.17) and the congregation of his people will follow (1.14b; 2.1,16).

Consider: do you think that Christian leaders, those faithful and true to God’s word, should be summoning the people together, nationally, to seek the Lord’s mercy at this time, whether there is a pandemic or not?

In May 1940, King George VI took a lead like that. In his address he said, “We and our Allies are sure that our fight is against evil and for a world in which goodness and honour may be the foundation of the life of men in every land. That we may be worthily matched with this new summons of destiny, I desire solemnly to call my people to prayer and dedication. We are not unmindful of our own shortcomings, past and present. We shall ask not that God may do our will, but that we may be enabled to do the will of God…”

Vv18-27               Verses 18,19 are a turning point in the book. The summons to repentance has been heeded. Now the Lord shows his mercy.

The first half of the book (1.2-2.17) deals with the day of the Lord in catastrophic judgment upon God’s wayward people. The second half (2.18-3.21) deals with the day of the Lord in a difference perspective. There will be judgement upon those who do not repent and salvation for those who do.

Today, we are attacked by an invisible army of Covid-19 viruses. There will be a tomorrow, by the grace of God, when it will be in significant retreat (cf. 2.20a). Then shall our world return to some form of normality (whatever ‘normal’ is) and we will have occasion to be glad and rejoice (2.23f).

Consider: one of the wonderful things to notice when reading the Bible is that when God threatens or pronounces judgement there will always be, somewhere close by, evidence of his mercy and grace. See Hosea 6.1-3. “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psa. 147.3). This is a truth not only when reading the Bible it is true in our daily lives, if we have eyes to see and hearts to respond.

What the Lord promised his people in Joel’s time he has fully accomplished in ours, through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our biggest catastrophe would be to perish eternally in hell for our sins but Jesus paid the penalty for us. But now, for those who are in Christ Jesus by repentance and faith, there is no condemnation (Rom. 8.1). Jesus provides for us more than “grain, wine, and oil and … fig tree and vine give their full yield … and restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (v19,22,25). Our God provides for us every need out of his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.19).

Did you notice “the day of the Lord” in chapter 2.1-27?[1]

Michael S Bostock, June 2020.

[1] 2.1,11.