Bible Pathways 9/21/2000
September 21
Joel 1 -- 3
Joel warned of the immediate destruction of Jerusalem. In mercy, the Word of the Lord . . . came to Joel. . . . Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain (Joel 1:1; 2:1). The trumpet was often used for religious purposes to call the congregation together, to announce solemn days and festivals, and, by watchmen, to warn of approaching danger (Numbers 10:1-9). In this instance, the trumpet was used to warn the people of a great enemy army; but even more serious were the enemies from within, their own sins. The day (of judgment) of the Lord comes . . . a day of darkness and gloom . . . (there comes) a great and a strong people. . . . and nothing shall escape them. . . . The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble. . . . the Lord is strong that executes His Word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible. . . . Therefore . . . turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:1-12).
Throughout the Scriptures, the one indispensable condition for forgiveness and acceptance by the Lord is genuine repentance. True repentance is threefold. First, it is a sorrow for one's sin against God, as well as against others; second, it is a turning to the Lord, asking forgiveness for all sins; and third, it is forsaking sin to live a life pleasing to Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord of our lives. As foretold by Joel: Afterward . . . I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh. . . . Whoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered (2:28,32).
Peter preached the prophetic meaning of Joel's words: Whoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21); he concluded his message by saying: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off (2:38-39).
The prophet Joel also foretold of the day of the Lord. It was partially fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and then by the Romans, as well as a final attempt by the Antichrist that is yet to take place. Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty it shall come (Joel 1:15). A great people and a strong; there has never been the like, neither shall be any more after it (2:2-3) will bring to a close the miserable rule of sinful mankind and usher in the glorious reign of Jesus, the righteous King of Peace.
Jesus spoke of a time of great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24: 21). But, praise the Lord, He concluded triumphantly: They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28) -- fulfilled (in part) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-18).
Word Studies:
1:7 barked means broken, splintered; 1:12 languisheth means wastes away, dies; 1:16 meat means food; 1:17 garners means storehouses; 2:6 all faces shall gather blackness means their faces will turn pale with terror; 2:11 terrible means awesome; 2:13 repenteth means ready to relent when sinners turn to Him; 2:20 the utmost sea means the Mediterranean; ill savor means foul smell.
Government Official: Rep. Robert (Bob) Franks (NJ) · Pray for Rick Hash and the Bible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WOOW-AM, Greenville, NC · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast in memory of Laura Fudge Miller · Country: Czech Republic (10 million) in central Europe · Major languages: Czech and Slovak · Religious freedom · 63% Catholic; 7% Protestant; 4% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Thank God for the spiritual rest that is in Him (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Titus 2:13
