Going through Joel

So I'm working through the "Bible in a year" concept, and I admit I'm woefully behind. So I'm in the book of Joel starting today, and it has me reading the entire book. The time of this minor prophet is a bit uncertain, there is some thought that he was there during the time of King Jorma, because there was a great famine in that timeframe, but ultimately there is not any indication in the book itself of the timeframe, so it;s best to leave it this way. As a companion to reading the Book, I'm also looking at John Calvin's commentaries on the minor prophets which includes Joel. I was really struck by the first two chapters.

Joel 1 is pretty grim stuff for the people of Judah, and the first part of Chapter 2 is no better. A bitter famine. Where first Joel speaks of the luxuries of a good land being destroyed and then the necessities.   Joel 2 uses the imagery of an active occultation as well, and judgement, but as always the Lord , even in declaring judgement, offers a potential reprieve

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

“Return to Me with all your heart,

And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

13 And rend your heart and not your garments.”

Now return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and compassionate,

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness

And relenting of evil.

14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent

And leave a blessing behind Him,

Even a grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?

15 Blow a trumpet in Zion,

Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,

Assemble the elders,

Gather the children and the nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom come out of his room

And the bride out of her bridal chamber.

17 Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,

Weep between the porch and the altar,

And let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,

And do not make Your inheritance a reproach,

A byword among the nations.

Why should they among the peoples say,

‘Where is their God?’ ”

A call for repentance!! What an awesome God we have that even in our rebellion and faithlessness that He still gives us a means for reconciliation. 

After a call for repentance in the early part of Chapter 2, God then Lays out the promise of Deliverance, and bleeding including sending his holy spirit to bless all , not just the people of Judah. It is this part in particular that has me thinking of what the Lord did on Pentecost. For the passage says:

28 “^aIt will come about after this

That I will pour out My Spirit on all ^cmankind;

And your sons and daughters will prophesy,

Your old men will dream dreams,

Your young men will see visions.

29 “Even on the male and female servants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Finally Chapter 2 ends with a declaration of Judgement and a promise of Deliverance for those who call on the name of the Lord. 

Chapter 3 moves on to Judgement of all the Nations, and then Blessing of Judah. The prophet Joel started off with dire warnings, but ultimately ends with a great and wonderful ending.