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!