The Prophecy of Joel,

Chapter 1 – Nothing to offer but ourselves

‘It’s all gone wrong’. ‘I have had such a rough time, it’s not fair’. How many times do we hear, or indeed make, such complaints as these?

Read the book of Joel ch. 1:

A great plague of locusts has spread its destructive blanket over the land of Israel. - While drought has also brought its devastation. – Nothing is left, not even for an offering to God. To the people the calamity suggested God’s displeasure with them, some tried to drown their sorrows.– Most simply felt dispirited, discouraged and depressed.

The prophet’s message is to turn and give themselves totally to the Lord,. Even though they have no offerings to bring to Him they can still bring themselves and call to Him, for He is ready to meet them.

How often our response to God is affected by our circumstances. When things go well, we rejoice and praise God. When things go wrong, we sink into despair and self-pity, feeling that God has forgotten or rejected us.

If we can learn to give ourselves to Him, even though everything seems to be against us and we feel stripped and empty, we will find that He is with us in the mess and that makes a lot of difference.

Chapter 2 – Knowing God makes the difference.

If our reactions to events and circumstances are no different to those of people with no faith or hope in God, are they not entitled to ask the question, ‘Where is your God?’.

Read Joel 2:1-27

Using graphic, poetic language, Joel paints a picture of a locust hoard as a great army destroying a city, Verses 1-11 As a result people of other nations could point their fingers and say ‘Why has this happened to you? Where is your God?’ Verse 17.

Being a Christian does not mean that we are given some sort of Divine immunity to disaster, difficulty, trial or unpleasantness, economic restraints, unemployment, the death of loved ones, suffering and many other things which are common in the world. These will be experienced as much by Christians as by anybody else. In the middle of their problems Joel points the people forward to the expectation of great blessing. No matter what our present situation, with confidence in God, instead of turning inwards in despair and self-preservation, we will still be blessed as we serve others and others will see the difference. God is with us, verse 27.

At every stage of the course it is good to know you are on the winning side.

Read again Joel 2:28 – 3:15

The dramatic military images used by Joel picture the great preparations for the battle of Armageddon. God challenged His enemies to do their worst, to prepare for war bringing all their resources together for the battle, (ch.3:9-10) The language used portrays the conflict intensifying as the Day of the Lord approaches. From God’s perspective there is no doubt about the ultimate outcome of the battle.

GOD LIVING AMONG THE PEOPLE

Throughout scripture the ultimate picture is of God living and ruling among His people through the Lord jesus Christ resulting in blessing, prosperity and justice among them and through them to the whole of creation.

Joel’s prophecy ends with a glorious picture, a complete reversal of all that is portrayed earlier. God expressing His judgement and rule through Jesus and his (then) immortal people.. It is important for us to grasp that God’s desire is to be among us, to bless. The picture in verse 18 is of a beautiful, fruitful land, flowing with life-giving streams. By comparison, all that the world has to offer will seem a ruined waste, verse 19. However, God will be with us if we are not simply seeking personal, selfish blessing, but that we use all that He has blessed us with for the benefit and help of others.

Bro. Fibion Ngozi (Banket, Zimbabwe)