21 September

Bible In 365 Days

Joel 1-3

Joel 1

Joel was a prophet specially sent to Judah. The burden of his message was the Day of the Lord. It seems to be one remarkable utterance rather than notes of a ministry covering a long period. A terrible locust plague which had devastated the entire country was the occasion of its deliverance. Joel spoke of things which were evident to those whom he addressed, then predicted an immediate judgment, and finally looked far on to the ultimate Day of the Lord.

In the first division are two sections. The prophet interpreted the meaning of the actual locust plague, and said it was the sign of yet severer judgment that was imminent. In dealing with the actual plague he uttered a call to contemplation, and to humiliation.

The call to contemplation was addressed, in the first place, to the old men, and then to all the inhabitants. In his description of the desolation the names, "palmer-worm," 'locust," "canker-worm," "caterpillar," all refer to locusts. The reference may be to different stages in the development of the locust, or to different varieties of the same family. The thought in the prophet's mind was of the complete destruction by the pest. Singling out the drunkards, the worshipers, the husbandmen, and the vinedressers, he reminded them of the completeness of the devastation, showing how it had affected all classes.

In the call to humiliation he began with the priests, calling them to penitence in the presence of the depletion of the house of God. Then addressing the people, he summoned them to sanctify a fast, and charged them to cry to Jehovah, declaring as his reason the truth which had been the burden of his message, "The day of the Lord is at hand." Finally, he voiced the cry of the people in penitence, "Oh Lord, to Thee do I cry."

Joel 2

The priests were to alarm the people with the near approach of the Divine judgments. It is the work of ministers to warn of the fatal consequences of sin, and to reveal the wrath from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. The striking description which follows, shows what would attend the devastations of locusts, but may also describe the effects from the ravaging of the land by the Chaldeans. If the alarm of temporal judgments is given to offending nations, how much more should sinners be warned to seek deliverance from the wrath to come!

Our business therefore on earth must especially be, to secure an interest in our Lord Jesus Christ; and we should seek to be weaned from objects which will soon be torn from all who now make idols of them. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, weeping, and mourning; tears for trouble must be turned into tears for the sin that caused it. But rending the garments would be vain, except their hearts were rent by abasement and self-abhorrence; by sorrow for their sins, and separation from them.

There is no question but that if we truly repent of our sins, God will forgive them; but whether He will remove affliction is not promised, yet the probability of it should encourage us to repent.

The priests and rulers are to appoint a solemn fast. The sinner's supplication is, "Spare us, oh Lord." God is ready to succour His people; and He waits to be gracious. They prayed that God would spare them, and he answered them. His promises are real answers to the prayers of faith; with him saying and doing are not two things. Some understand these promises figuratively, as pointing to gospel grace, and as fulfilled in the abundant comforts treasured up for believers in the covenant of grace.

The promise began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, and it was continued in the converting grace and miraculous gifts conferred on both Jews and Gentiles. The judgments of God upon a sinful world, only go before the judgment of the world in the last day. Calling on God supposes knowledge of Him, faith in Him, desire toward Him, dependence on Him, and, as evidence of the sincerity of all this, conscientious obedience to Him. Those only shall be delivered in the great day, who are now effectually called from sin to God, from self to Christ, from things below to things above.

Joel 3

The restoration of the Jews, and the final victory of true religion over all opposers, appear to be here foretold. The contempt and scorn with which the Jews have often been treated as a people, and the little value set upon them, are noticed. None ever hardened his heart against God or his church, and prospered long.

Here is a challenge to all the enemies of God's people. There is no escaping God's judgments; hardened sinners, in that day of wrath, shall be cut off from all comfort and joy. Most of the prophets foretell the same final victory of the church of God over all that oppose it. To the wicked it will be a terrible day, but to the righteous it will be a joyful day. What cause have those who possess an interest in Christ, to glory in their Strength and their Redeemer! The acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favor to some, will be a day of remarkable vengeance to others: let every one that is out of Christ awake, and flee from the wrath to come.

There shall be abundant Divine influences, and the Gospel will spread speedily into the remotest corners of the earth. There is a day coming, when every thing amiss shall be amended. The fountain of plenty is in the house of God, whence the streams take rise. Christ is this Fountain; His sufferings, merit, and grace, cleanse, refresh, and make fruitful. Gospel grace, flowing from Christ, shall reach to the Gentile world, to the most remote regions, and make them abound in fruits of righteousness; and from the house of the Lord above. From His Heavenly Temple flows all the good we daily taste, and hope to enjoy eternally.