The prophet Joel begins his book by warning of the coming judgment of the Lord. He begins by drawing on the image of a plague of locusts. In Exodus, Yahweh had sent such a plague on the Egyptians; now He turns them on His own people. Yet these locusts are actually a metaphor for the army that is going to come into Israel. Judgment also comes with the Day of the Lord, a major focus in the book of Joel. Yet for the one who “tears your hearts, not just your clothes” (Joel 2:13), Yahweh may have mercy on them. This is a clear call to repentance. To those who repent, Yahweh says they will be restored. In fact, He promises that He will pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:28) and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32). The Apostle Peter applied the pouring out of the Spirit to the Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts, while the Apostle Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in his letter to the Romans. Joel closes with a promise that when God restores all things, the nations of the earth will be judged but Israel will be pardoned.

 

Joel chapter 2 has been used frequently by pastors to call people to a time of urgent and fervent repentance. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the death toll is climbing rapidly in the United States, I believe we all need to be called to a time of repentance. Perhaps the Lord is judging the world in part now; perhaps He is simply using this as a method of calling people to faith in Him. As a Christian, our hope is not found in this world, but in Christ alone. Yahweh the Father brought salvation to all through Christ Jesus the Son and by the power of His Spirit. You and I need to be telling the message of hope for all eternity during this time of despair and uncertainty. In this darkness, we need to shine forth the light of Christ Jesus our Lord. We need to proclaim the One who has defeated death and conquered the grave, Who gives victory over all of life circumstances. May I be found faithful in the proclamation of the gospel during this time.

 

How about you? Is your faith in the One Who has overcome? Are you sharing this message of encouragement to those around you?