Joel 2:18-32. Today’s reading continues the though from yesterday. Yesterday the people were encourage to turn back to God and to not make the mistake that they would not suffer just because they were God’s people.
Today’s reading further encourages the people that if they turn back to God that he will passionately care for them. He will take care of their physical needs (grain, new wine, and oil) and will help them fulfill their spiritual destiny as well (they will be a good example of God’s care in the eyes of those around them).
In the earlier part of chapter 2 they were told that they would be invaded but now in verse 20 God tells them that he will push the invaders out. It is interesting that the invaders are described as the “Northern army”. Many time in the history of Judah since the time of Joel they were invaded. Usually the invasions would come from the North. But remember that this chapter is talking about God’s ultimate time of dealing with sin on the earth; the “Day of the Lord”. That time is talked about in many of the prophets but the ultimate description of God’s final judgment is found in the book of Revelation. In chapters 16-19 of Revelation we see the land of Judah being invaded by the “kings of the earth”. Their defeat by Jesus results in the beginning of Jesus’ reign on Earth.
Verses 21-27 describe the goodness of having God as king on earth. There will be plenty to eat and drink and in keeping with the spiritual emphasis of the message the people are also told that God will be in their midst. For those who think that bringing up the New Testament and the book of Revelation is reading into the book of Joel verses 28-32 of chapter 2 are quoted by Peter in Acts 2:16-21. In that story Peter is telling some Israelites in Jerusalem that they are seeing the fulfillment of Joel’s prediction in the actions of the believers in Jesus who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate the good news about Jesus in a miraculous way. The Holy Spirit was promised to his followers by Jesus just before he went up to Heaven after his resurrection and final ministry (Acts 1:8). That was the beginning of the church. The church is, in a way, God’s second string, brought in to share Jesus with the world until God takes them out of the game and puts the first string players (Israel) back in. (Daniel 9; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; Revelation). Joel was foretelling he events which would occur in God’s plan to save mankind from their sins. Events which started with Adam and Eve, worked out through Abraham and his descendants the Israelites, made further progress through the followers of Jesus (the church), will return to the Israelites and end with people from every tribe, tongue, and nations living with God in Heaven for eternity. No one is automatically guaranteed a place in Heaven and no one is automatically excluded. According to Joel it depends on how we respond to God’s mercy.
God thank yo for making a way to heaven for everyone. Thank you for reaching out to me. Thank you for waiting for me to respond. Help others respond to you too. Judgement is a reality too. I hope many people miss out on it. But that cannot be because of who we are, what family we are a part of, where we were born, or even how we live our lives (“for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”; Romans 3:23). E can only be a part of eternity with you through your forgiveness, made possible by Jesus sacrifice for us. Let many return to you then they will not fear but rejoice as you provide for them and we all live together with you in eternity.