Its Been A While Since I've Been Smacked in the Mouth-Bring on the Pain!

Was July a crazy month or what? It is August 1 and I am back in action. It has been a while since my last blog on this blogosphere. You probably forget- but we were bloggin' through the minor prophets. My slow down in productivity has no doubt caused a cloud of forgetfulness in your brain. But I am not abandoning the ship. Instead- we are plogging (a new word I just invented. It's a mix of plodding and blogging) along. It's time for a new and most wonderful book- Jonah. 

Intro

I realize not everyone is a dork like me and likes to know all the historical background jibber jabber to every book in the Bible. So I will spare you the reading and give you the option. If you are interested in this material, one of my most favorite professors @ seminary has written a very concise and quality intro in the Bible Knowledge Commentary. You can find this introduction here: {to be posted in a few}

I do want to point out one thing from the introduction. Jonah was flighty. The only Old Testament prophet to run from God. This is where Jonah hits hard on the home front. You may have thought that Jonah was just about a big fish that eats a prophet because he didn't want to go to Nineveh. It is this and much much more. Jonah hits me in the kisser because I am prone to flightiness. In fact, I think we might all be able to admit that from time to time we are tempted to run from God. Jonah was given a difficult job to do. His answer- flee! Jesus has given us a difficult job. If you are like me- you are tempted to flee, and have fled from time to time. 

Get ready for Jonah, because it will smack you in the mouth and knock you down. But when you get back up, you will have a renewed sense of purpose and conviction, hopefully, in obedient conformity to God's most non-conformist ways!

Jonah Ch 1:1-3

1. The word of the Lord came to ^aJonah the son of Amittai saying, 

2 “Arise, go to ^aNineveh the great city and ^bcry against it, for their ^cwickedness has come up before Me.” 

3 But Jonah rose up to flee to ^aTarshish ^bfrom the presence of the Lord. So he went down to ^cJoppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 

Nineveh, the capital city of Babylon, was a very great city. But equal to its greatness was its wickedness. Their wickedness was so great that it wafted up to God's nose and smelled awful. The world is a super wicked place now. But it was also super wicked then. Amidst all this wickedness, you had to be pretty stinkin' wicked to draw the extra attention of God. So God decides to send His prophet Jonah to go bring a message to Nineveh. A totally acceptable and normal thing for God to do. God's message to Nineveh? Most likely a message of judgement in hopes they will repent.... God always gives the repentant heart a way out.

Notice the play on words here- God tells Jonah, "arise- flee to Nineveh." What does Jonah do, he arises and flees to Tarshish. The exact opposite direction of Nineveh, the exact opposite of God's will! He was attempting to run from the presence of God. He went to the port of Joppa and went down into the ship--- down into a dark place, both spiritually and literally. He was on the run.

What is Jonah thinking? He is thinking probably lots of things, but paramount in his brain are most likely two things- (1) Nineveh is such and evil place they will probably kill me and (2) The Ninevites are filthy gentile good-for-nothings, why should I go to them. Jonah's selfishness is oozing out of his eye sockets. God is about to bring the pain on Nineveh. Those women, children, dogs, and cats- their doom is immanent. But rather than confront the Ninevites with God's message- Jonah takes the easy road and bails in a futile attempt to run from God and God's message.

Hmm. I don't want to ruin the whole book for you. But remember God told the Israelites that they were to be a "light to the nations." To live in a such a way that other nations will salivate to worship Yahweh. To have an insatiable desire to bask in the light of God's glory. Also remember that God's mandate to we believers- we spirit-filled folk- is to be a light to the nations. To live in such a way that people can't help but crave God's presence.

So this leads me to a point that I am not going to hit hard right now, just tap. Can we relate to Jonah at all here? I can. The world is a sick and wicked place. People are dying, simply put. The Word has a message of eternal life, salvation, peace, and comfort- but I am too scared sometimes, or too selfish, to shine it. This is why I have a love/hate relationship with Jonah. It smacks me in the mouth with conviction. I actually just picked myself off the ground. 

I have given you a lot to think about already. I will take the rest of Ch 1 next time. Until then- have this in your fore, "do I share God's will for the wicked?"

PJ

Your Meditative Video For the Day

Greetings all. I was watching this today, enjoying some meditative moments in scholarship, and thought I might share. Many of you have seen this before, some have not. Regardless, take a few moments of your time to reflect on Thomas a'Kempis' words. Let us together promise to try and strive to be one of the few (not the Marines, but they are good too).

Here is the video: Imitation of Christ

Side Blog: Date Rape, Incest, Jesus, and My Favorite Worship Song

While Mal, Mimi, and I were reading Genesis this morning, we came across a passage I totally forgot about- Jesus comes from a line with incest in it. Crazy, right?

Let me set the stage. God tells Abram to leave his family and go to Canaan. Abram grabs his nephew Lot and heads out (Lot always gets into lots of trouble... no pun intended... or, pun intended). They get to the triangle of wilderness that will, in the future, become very familiar to the wandering Hebrews, the Negev, and decide to split up their camps because of fighting among the shepherds.  Lot thinks the Sodom area looks nice and decides to head that 'a way. So they part ways.

Now hope in your DeLorean and Fast Forward >>>>>>>>>>>>

Some angels show up, the same angels that visited Abraham and said that Sarah would have a baby. They get to Sodom to warn Lot to bust out of there because God is going to destroy it (why? Well, I think the name helps us to understand). The Sodomites (pun intended) go to Lot's place and want the angels. Lot offers his virgin daughters (who will come into play later). They say no, go blind, and Lot and his virgin daughters + wife escape the next day. Sodom gets destroyed, wife gets turned into pillar of salt for her disobedience- meanwhile, Abraham looks on.

Lot wanders around, fearing for his safety, takes up a home in a cave (caves play a big role in the OT). This is where it gets weird. Lot's daughters are panicked that they live in a cave and all Lot's sons are either non-existent or dead (died in Sodom b/c they "didn't believe Lot"). They fear Lot's line will die out unless something is drastically done. So they get Lot, what I only assume is extremely, drunk on wine and date rape him. As a result, both daughters become pregnant.

This is where Jesus comes in. The firstborn daughter had a son and called him Moab... which weirdly enough means "from the father" (not sure I would want to advertise that). As you know, Moab has a long and convoluted history in the OT. But, what is important to note is Ruth. You know Ruth, the Moabitess. She marries Boaz (interesting more, the kinsman redeemer  keeps Elimelech's line alive) and they have a son, Obed, who is the father of Jesse the father of David. As we know, David is the "father" of Jesus... Jesus traces his lineage through David, consequently and partly through Ruth, and ultimately through Moab and one of Lot's oldest virgin daughters. Hence Jesus has a shady lineage: date rape, incest, and gentiles. Very interesting, huh? I thought so, that is why I wrote about it. But isn't that comforting for us, that Jesus traces his humanly lineage through such a line as that? I think so. Just further proof that Jesus came to save all man- Jews, Gentiles, and date rapers.

I know this is some crazy stuff to ponder, so I gifted you with my hands-down, most favorite worship song of all time, "In the Light," by D.C. Talk. No matter the times or circumstances, this song is always the best! Enjoy.

Hands Down My #1 Favorite Worship Song EVER! DC Talk!! OH Yeah

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
click on that link

Joel 3- Hooray for the Day when Bad Guys Go Away!

I am a total nincompoop, of this I am aware. In the spirit of procrastination, this blog sat unwritten on my desktop for eons... days, actually, but to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years a day- so, eons...

Joel 3 is the final chapter of Joel. Yes, just what I was thinking, why did it take over 1 month to finish a small little gem like Joel (see above)? Alas we find the close of days- when those who have wronged Israel/God's chosen are brought to justice... If you haven't yet, I highly suggest you read Joel 3 now!

Welcome back, congratulation- you are better now than you were before for having read this passage. Because as the Bible says, it's words do not return void... which means that you always get something out of the Bible.... maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, and either way, you are a better person spiritually for having taking the time to read it- bravo! If you haven' t read Joel yet, and are now feeling convicted, I suggest that you read it so that you can be better in a few minutes then you are right now, and so your conscious will be at ease.

So what is this all about? Joel 3? Simply, the wicked are judged for the wickedness and God's chosen live in prosperity.... the end.

I told you it was easy to understand. See, Biblical prophecy is really quite simply summed up in a few words: bad guys loose and God wins.

But, there are you sticklers out there who "want to know what the Bible is really talking about." So for you "realists," "literalists," "desktop scholars (like myself)", and "bored people," I offer the following explanation.

(Hold-on, Mimi woke up from her nap... ok, she is plopped in front of "Praise Baby," that should buy me about 1/2 hr... on a side note- if anyone ever tells you that aloe is soothing on poison oak, brush the dust of your feet as you leave that place after slapping them... b/c they are liars!)

You will notice a few things going on here in Joel 3. (1) Specific issues relating to the "sons of Judah and Jerusalem," and (2) General description of an event that sounds quite like armageddon.

(1) As always, Joel pronounces that God will bring immediate judgement on those who were afflicting Israel. For example, the Phoenicians and Philistines were told they would be judged for selling off the Hebrews into slavery. Alexander III sold a bunch of people, Sidonians, people from Tyre, and Gaza, into slavery, which would have been the descendants of the same people Joel condemns, Phoenicians and Philistines. There is an example of a temporal fulfillment. There are a number of other things mentioned... but you get the picture.

(2) Verses 9-16 seems to point toward a future event. The Lord's armies will assemble and fight against "the nations."How many? Multitudes upon multitudes will pour into the "valley of decision," aka "the Valley of Jehoshaphat." Therefore, alot. The Lord will wipe them out.

Verses 17-21 describes the Millennial Kingdom and complete restoration- Yay!

To sum up Joel is quite simple. God has promised complete restoration. Those who do not choose God (or, better, who are not chosen by God), will fall in with the "multitude of nations," that will come face-to-face with God in the valley of decision. I want to be on God's side in this epic end times event. Why? Because I want to inhabit the place where, "the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; and a spring will go out form the house of the Lord to water the Valley of Shittim." Sounds like a nice place, much better than being included in this group, "Egypt will become a waste, and Edom will become a desolate wilderness, b/c of the violence done to the sons of Judah, In whose land they have shed innocent blood. But Judah will be inhabited forever (I want to be here) and Jerusalem for generations (here too). And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged (don't want to be avenged upon).

So then, faith in God? If you say YAY, then relax and wait for that great day. If you say NAY, then pray that God will open your eyes and soften your heart so we can hang out together in the Millennial Kingdom and drink some sweet milk that flows from the hills! Sounds too idealistic? Well, it's better than the alternative..

For practical purposes, lets live today in light of that promised future. For our God is great and worthy to be praise and adored. Let's let our life be a "sweet fragrance" wafting up to the divine nostrils of God! Amen

Repentance, Restoration, and the Holy Spirit! Joel 2:18-32

A few days have since elapsed since we have gathered together for a breeze through Joel. It was a busy week; wedding, Sunday school, and preaching. I thought about posting this installment on Thursday, but instead worked on the wedding ceremony. Sorry, you'll have to take it up with the bride.

Quick review: Judah got in trouble for too much drinking and worldly stuff. God sent a plague of locusts in Judgement. As a result, the people could not fellowship w/Yahweh b/c their thanks offering was resting the belly of the locusts. The Spirit of the Lord led Joel to use this judgement to point forward to the greater judgement of The Day of the Lord at the end times. Joel compares the vast destructive power of the locusts to God's armies- promising that there is no hope for those outside God's camp. Rather than be fearful of the judgement, Joel urges national repentance as for the priests and people to remind God of His obligation to them as covenant partner. Joel 2:18-32 then is God's response to their repentance.

If you haven't already, please read vv. 18-32.

Welcome back. Most all the prophets do this, which is comforting. They give a glimmer of hope after crushing our spirits with what is to come.... or what has already come. V. 18 is no different. Apparently the people have repented and God has "remembered" His people and became zealous for them.... Just a quick note- it is good to have God zealous for you... Have you ever met a sports fan? They are zealous for their team, right? Yes, completed nuts they are. God is even more so zealous for His people- what a comforting thought.

As a result of their national repentance, God promises restoration,  grain, grape, and olives, such that they will be full satisfied! God not only promises to restore- but to fully restore! Not just provide only what is needed for survival, but for satisfaction- how great is our God.... (its ok to shout amen to yourself here if you want... no one is looking, unless of course you are in coffee shop or something, then its still ok, just make sure to evangelize the people in there).

So their produce is restored, but so also will be their national pride. Along with their national pride, comes national safety. God promises to clear out the enemies of Judah so that she can rest easy and satisfied... at least until they mess up again.

What is great about this passage is that is doesn't just pertain to the people, but the land and the animals on the land. God is talking about complete restoration after the locusts.... The land will once again grow vegetation and the animals can again feed on that vegetation. This is the temporal fulfillment... But one has to wonder if this is also an allusion to the new heaven and the new earth that is coming? Or, perhaps, this is an allusion to the Millennial Kingdom? Yes, I suppose.

Then Joel gives a promise to the actual people- rejoice, because the rains are coming again, the grain is coming again, and your vats will again overflow! This is messianic imagery here- all things that are supposed to happen once the Messiah arrives. How often does this imagery make its way form the pages of the bible to our ears? Are your vats overflowing, the messiah has come!

What will be the response of the people? "You will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has acted wonderfully in your behalf." The people's sorrow will turn to praise and worship! The object of wrath again becomes the object of worship. It is amazing how swift to forgive is our God, and how fully the restoration. God will restore the nation such that the response will be to worship and rejoice in God's goodness...

Not only will they rejoice, but the nation will again turn its heart toward God and "be convinced that I am in the midst of Israel."

When all this happens, the Spirit of God will come upon the people....vv 28-29 "And after all of this, I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your elderly will have revelatory dreams; your young men will see prophetic visions. Even on male and female servants I will pour out my Spirit in those days." This is the verse Peter referenced in Acts 2:16... So then, this verse finds at least its partial fulfillment on the day of Pentecost, it not its complete fulfillment.

To close it up (I know I'm getting long winded now), Joel closes with some "signs of the times," (c.f. Ezek 32:6-8) that will precede the Day of the Lord and that in order to be saved from the coming destruction, one must call on the name of the Lord. These are the same people on whom the Spirit indwelled (Joel 2:28-29), who are most likely the remnant spoken of in v. 32, specially called by the Lord... whew!

There is a lot going on here for sure. If you are trying to wrap your brains around this prophecy, let me try and help. Remember a while ago I talked about partial/complete fulfillment of prophecy. This is a common thing in the Bible. Joel promises immediate restoration to the people of Judah, which foreshadows the full restoration that is coming to all people as a result of the coming of the Messiah. When the Messiah comes, he will usher forth a time of great, bountiful harvest and the coming of the Spirit on all people that will cause tremendous blessing. After this, there will be a coming great judgement and only those so called by the Lord, the Spirit-filled remnant, will be delivered through the destruction. Now, some of this has happened and some has not. Let's start with the "has happened."

Ok, Jesus the Messiah came and offered the Kingdom to the Jews. Where is the bountiful harvest and land restoration? This was forfeited as a result of Christ's rejection. This was what was on the table at the arrival of the Messiah. This doesn't mean the prophecy was wrong, this means that the prophecy is still yet to be fully fulfilled at the Millennium (that is the "has yet to come" portion).

Jesus comes, is rejected, then offers an alternative solution- the Church. Jesus' death on the cross brings us the spiritual restoration, and the promised Spirit, but not the physical land promises, yet.... This is saved for a later day, until the full measure of believers have been called. Then, as promised, Jesus will return and the prophecy of Joel will be finally fulfilled.

God is great and promises full restoration, and has already provided for it. At some point, Jesus will return to gather up those believers on earth and bring forth the destruction that leads to total restoration. You have the possibility now of full restoration with God through faith in Jesus christ, just as the people of Judah looked forward to full restoration from the devastation wrought by the plague of Locusts, and to the promise of national, spiritual restoration at the coming of the Messiah. If you haven't already believed in Jesus for restoration- I challenge you to do so... Then the promised bountiful harvest will be yours and your spiritual vats will be overflowing and you will be included as the "remnant" at THE Day of the Lord.

If you are already saved, rest easy in the hope of complete restoration one day. The world is a sick and dying place. We haven't experienced God's full restoration of His creation- that day is coming. So let's worship our God of restoration!

Joel 2.1

Welcome back Bible buddies. Today let us partake of the sweet fruits of Joel chapter 2. This is a huge chapter, both content wise and theologically, so I will divide it into 2 parts. The part we are going to be looking at today is Joel 2:1-17. Remember that Joel is writing in response to a recent plague of locusts' that have smote the land, rendering Judah incapable of communing with God and w/out food stores. Joel focuses not only on the drunkenness of Judah, but uses the occasion to prophesy concerning the coming of the Day of the Lord... I also mentioned that Joel breaks up this little prophecy into 3 segments dealing the the day- segment 1, which we talked about, Joel described as a "type" of day of the Lord. He further clarified that this "mini" day of the Lord was nothing compared to The Day. In response Joel called for nation repentance in the form of sack cloth, fasting, and crying out to God...

In Ch 2 Joel gets a little more direct. He no longer alludes to The Day of the Lord. Instead, he prophecies directly concerning The Day of the Lord. Ch 2, then, is a prophecy about what the The Day of the Lord will be like. Please read Joel 2:1-11.

Ok, so things are going to get bad. There is a lot going on here. Notice first that Joel compares the invading locusts to the invading army that will come at the great tribulation time in The Day of the Lord. How can we be so sure Joel is talking about the tribulation? Well, v. 2 makes it pretty clear that this is a unique event and nothing like it will ever happen again. No matter how bad you think times are now, we've seen similar things before, it will continue, and it will get worse. Our time does not fit the model of the tribulation. It can get much worse, as Joel implies.

Side-Note: If you are in the Bible scanning mode, you may want to check out first Exodus 10. Note the similarities in the locust motif.... then Rev 9:1-12. Here we see a plague of demon-locusts (weird, huh?) ascending from the abyss to descend upon man, tormenting mankind with all kinds of nastiness. So much so that men will want to kill themselves, but will be unable to. Is this what Joel is referring to? Maybe, the word "locust" in German and Italian means "hay-horse" and "little horses". Additionally, both human armies and locusts advance swiftly (v.4). Also, the sound of locusts' wings is like that of chariot wheels (v. 5) (thanks to BKC for that info). So it is definitely a possibility that Joel and John are describing the same events. Or, it is also possible that Joel is describing the invading armies of the North on the The Day (see Ezek 38:15, Dan 11:40).

Either way the point of the Day of the Lord is clear; earthquake, darkness, torment, torture, and horribleness such that, "before them the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale." (v. 6). God will bring judgement and destruction. This prophecy has a cousin prophecy (I just invented this concept) in Rev 6:12-13. Elsewhere, Joel 2:30-31 (we'll see this later), is also similarly described in Rev 6:12-13... which is to say that Joel is indeed describing events that happen during the Great Tribulation.

In essence, the land will be totally destroyed. Anyone who has ever been through a forest fire (not me) can probably relate to this imagery. We see a destructive force "like mighty men," on an unrelenting march, destroying everything in their way. There is no escape from the Day of the Lord.

Please read Joel 2:12-17.

Usually after bad news a prophet gives the reader something to do in response. Joel is no different. The response is similar to what he instructed in Joel 1- repent. The language is interesting, though. "Yet even now," tells me that, although they might have messed up, it is never too late to repent. This same advice goes for us as well. No matter how bad we have messed up, it is never too late to admit your guilt before God and turn to him and sin no more. Joel doesn't just give idle advice. He gives some practical things.

 Fast, weep, and mourn. Just like before, actions go a long way. It is not enough sometimes to just verbalize your guilt. Show God that you are willing to make the necessary steps to life change. Because, "God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil." We read this very casually. But do you realize that only in the Bible will you find such a statement about a god. Nowhere else is a deity descibed in such terms- a loving and king God who is gracious and will forgive you... a God who is slow to anger. This is much cause for celebration! We serve a truly unique God... I want you to remember this always and not take for granted the God we serve!!!

V. 14 is also very interesting. This tells us that though God might forgive us, we shouldn't expect blessings in return... very interesting. How often are we guilty of this? I have asked for forgiveness, all is well with God and I, now bring on the blessings!  Joel says this is possible, but not a guarantee. So if you ask for forgiveness, know that you are forgiven, but don't be totally surprised if you aren't showered with blessings..... the forgiveness is blessing enough!

Finally, the reader is urged to "blow a trumpet," which acts as an indicator of the urgent need to do this thing. In essence, Joel is saying, "do this now!" Fast, worship, cry out.... as the vv. 16-17 finish, we are reminded that national repentance is everyones responsibility. Everyone in Judah was responsible... the people, the wives, the babies, kids, and priests. If national repentance was to come, then a national response was needed out of the Judaites.

Finally, Joel ends by giving some advice as to what the priests should say. They should, in essence, "remind" God that He has promised to protect His people and that what happens to His people is a reflection of Him.... this is similar to Moses' entreaty to God on behalf of the Hebrews after they made the gold cow.

Well friends, Mimi has risen from her nap and is crying for rescue. Just like Joel reminds, God is our source of rescue in the days to come. Joel gives us a brief snap shot of what the tribulation will be like. Perhaps he is alluding to the even John describes in Rev 9 with the demon locusts from hell... either way, the point is clear. The Day of the Lord will be a terrible, awesome, and horrific time for those not firmly rooted in God's camp. For the men of Judah- rooting themselves in God's camp meant national repentance, fasting, crying out to God, and going to the temple to offer sacrifices. Luckily for us, all we need to firmly cement ourselves in God's camp is Jesus Christ. Trust him today and get on God's roster for The Day- lest you find yourselves tormented by evil demon spawn locusts!

Oh How Horrific are those nasty insects, but Jesus is coming back! The Prophet Joel

Apologies are in order- sorry. I can vaguely remember posting that I would post on a regular basis. Well, that lasted for 1 post. But to my defense, mother-in-law was visiting, preached, taught Sunday school, and other things... but I know that is no excuse. Instead of dwelling on the past... let us dwell on the way past- 1200 years ago. 

Rather than blathering on about the introductory material to the prophet Joel, I thought I might just paste it here. This information comes from the handy sheet I created and linked on the first post. It gives a pretty decent intro to the Prophet Joel. Also, please disregard the lazy spelling error on my chart (I know indifference is spelled indifference, but I am indifferent).

Let me fill-in some info that is missing from this poorly presented chart. Joel was writing during the reign of King Jehoash. If you know your litany of biblical kings, you will know then that Jehoash is a unique king. Why? Because he was 7 when he became king. So the priests, namely, Jehoiada, kind of ruled as regency in his stead until he was old enough to rule (which lasted for 40 years).  Generally speaking, the bible says Jehoash was a decent dude, but there were some lingering problems in Judah that Joel confronts...

At the time of Joel's writing- Judah saw a severe draught and an invasion of locusts- which is normally a sign of God's judgement. Joel takes this sign of judgment and extrapolates it out a little further in his discussion of the Day of the Lord- both in his lifetime and in the future. Thus the "Day of the Lord," which pertains to pretty much any day where the Lord steps in to human history and does something (mostly judgement related), is at the fore in Joel and serves as a major theme.

To that end Joel points out the historical "days of the Lord," as they relate to Israel and the nations, the "illustrative" days of the Lord that point forward to the THE Day of the Lord at the end of time, and finally, Joel gives us a little taste of THE Day of the Lord, specifically as it relates to the 2nd coming of Christ.... so, is your interest piqued? Mine is!... Horay for Joel... let's get moving.

Without further adieu- I ask that you please open your Bibles to Joel 1 so that we can go through it together, as Bible buddies. 

Ok, done reading? Good. Does it make your skin crawl? If not- check out these youtube video about the destructive power of locusts.

Locusts are gross, no doubt. But even more- they are totally destructive, with the power to wipe out a lively hood and leave a village or city without vital food stores; hence Joel's lament. Everything has been destroyed. There is no longer any vines to make grapes, not more grain for the grain offering and drink for the drink offering. So not only is their livelihood destroyed, but they are now in spiritual turmoil because they have not sufficient goods to make the necessary sacrifices to the Lord.

 In Ch 1, Joel basically says, "the locusts have destroyed everything- everything- and we are ruined!" Did you catch v. 5? We get a little glimpse at perhaps a cause of this plague- too much drinking in Judah. It seems the men of Judah were enjoying their sweet wine a little too much and had incurred God's wrath. It is one thing to partake of a glass of wine here and there. But it seems the people of Judah were drunkards of the first order. As a result- they were invaded by a countless swarm of little soldiers, relentless and merciless.

The response? Vv. 13-14 give us the only response needed- repent. But more than saying "I'm sorry." Joel instructs the people to wrap themselves in sack cloth, fast, and cry out to the living God. These are actions that Joel hopes will, "get God's attention." If that sounds weird, its not. This kind of thing happened all the time. Take for example the Ninevites. God was ready to wipe them off the map- but they repented. The whole city came out in a display of "sorry," by wrapping themselves in sack cloth and sprinkling ashes on their heads? Why? Because this was uncomfortable. If you are doing something so uncomfortable, then God has a good idea that you mean what you say. And of course, God knows the heart of men, but an action drives the point home a little more. If you are really sorry, then you are willing to go the extra step and show a little apologetic spirit. This was not only a way of "getting God's attention," but of showing your neighbor that you are serious and that you recognize that sin is serious and demands a serious response.... I wonder if we have lost this mind-set? Maybe... 

In the final verses of ch1, Joel uses this example as an "illustration," of what the Day of the Lord will be like. In the same way, Joel implies, everything will be laid waste. There will be no food in the barns and no animals in the fields. Your way of life will be kaput. Your livelihood, your sustenance, your everything is laid bare. In essence, Joel is making the reader abundantly aware that, "though you have experienced a day of the Lord, keep this time in the front of your brain, because it will be nothing like THE Day of the Lord, and you want to be prepared when that day comes so that you are not on the receiving end of THE day, like you are today."

So here we have the close of ch 1. Locusts have come and completely devoured the fields. The people don't have any spare grain nor grape with which to give to the Lord, which is indeed a troubling turn of events. They are spiritually, albeit temporarily, separated from giving their thanks and worship to the living God! This would indeed be troubling. 

For us, we can't imagine something like this. We have the ultimate sacrifice of Christ which links us together and with God. We have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, interceding for us and ministering on our behalf to God the Father. As a result, His sacrifice finally ended the need for any other sacrifice. As a result, the risk of our separation from God is null... unless of course you are not a follower of Jesus. Therefore we, followers of Christ, are promised salvation from THE day of the Lord.

How wonderful it is that we never have to worry about being cut-off from worshipping God. Though we ought to heed the practical warning from Joel. Let's contain our sampling of the "adult beverages," lest we fall into the drunken ways of the men of Judah in Joel's days... we may not see a plague of locusts as a result- but a metaphorical "plague of locusts," might be headed our way!