Joel may be a strange book to discuss. For starters, it is one of the “minor prophets” that we read in our last article. Second, it spoke mostly to Israel in the Old Testament so you may be wondering what relevance it has for our lives today. Third, its vibrant imagery can leave us confused sometimes. Yet, every part of God’s word can speak to us as Christians today if we take the time to listen and approach humbly, and Joel is no different as it gives us truth that we can use to nourish our souls.
Joel takes place during a natural disaster that happened in the land of Israel as a locust plague has destroyed both wine and grain, which means the people cannot bring these offerings to God in the Temple. Joel used this to point to the “Day of the Lord” in which God’s judgment would arrive and impact all. At first, when the people heard this they were relieved because, in their arrogance, they thought that God would judge their enemies and leave them alone no matter how corrupt they lived. However, Joel was giving a warning that while judgment was indeed coming for the other nations, it was going to hit Israel too! Therefore, Joel pronounces divine judgment against human sin and a future restoration of God’s people. However, Joel also calls the people to take responsibility and act, proclaiming that fasting and repentance was needed and that the people must return to the Lord. God would surely have mercy upon them as always and would show that powerfully one day by sending His Spirit, pouring it out upon His people so that his activity will be seen in a powerful way. This should be familiar to us because it points forward to Pentecost. Then on that final day, all will face the judgment of God and only one question has ever mattered to determine life or death: “What have you done with Him?”
It is here where Joel can speak to us today. The “Day of the Lord” basically meant that the consequences of sin would be felt by those who reject Him. If God is the source of all life, then to turn away from Him leads only to death. This happened to Israel, but on a larger scale it is the story of humanity as a whole. Yet, the gospel is the truth that God did not leave us to die in our sin and exile, but rather came Himself, “took on flesh and dwelt among us” and was born as a helpless baby, not in wealth nor prestige but in poverty and obscurity. This Chosen One would grow, preach, love, endure hardship, suffer on a cross, die, and be raised to life again.
The Apostle Peter says that Jesus’ death on the cross was the Christians’ “Day of the Lord,” when the judgement for our disobedience was experienced on our behalf by our sinless representative. Jesus experienced dire consequences so that those with faith in Him would not. He took our judgment and has given us a foretaste of the restoration of all things when He returns. For the Christian, the celebration starts when Jesus was born and we can hear in His baby cries the proclamation resounding throughout the heavens that the day of redemption is near! In Jesus Christ, God is outstretching His merciful hand to a lost, dying humanity and saying, “grasp and find life in Me!”
It was this same Peter, along with the other Apostles, who were the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that one day God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, would be poured out upon all people. We cannot overlook the importance and joy that this brings. God’s Spirit lives within us and within every person that accepts His offer of grace and forgiveness of sin. The Holy Spirit is the One who gives the Christian the power to live a life of sharing the gospel, of holiness, and of joy.
God does not change. The future “Day of the Lord” is going to come. The only difference is are we fearful or hopeful? If we learn from Joel, realizing our sins, repenting of them and turning to God for forgiveness, and then committing to live the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of Christ, then the “Day of the Lord” will be met by us not by gasps of fear, but with one mighty singing voice shouting “Hallelujah!”
Your Brother,
Craig