Categoria: Joel

 Joel 3 points to the final judgement of the nations and the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem. “In those days when I restore Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all nations… and enter into judgement against them… O Tyre, Sidon and Philistia… I will return on your heads what you have done… I will sell your children to the Jews and they will sell them to a nation far away… so prepare for war!… beat your ploughshares into swords… then let the nations be roused and advance into the valley of Jehoshaphat… and there I will judge them… multitudes in the valley of decision… the Lord will roar from Zion… but the Lord will be a refuge for his people… and Jerusalem will be holy… and a fountain will water the valley of acacias but Egypt will be desolate… yet Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations… the Lord dwells in Zion!

 Joel 2 continues to point to impending judgement for Israel whilst also mentioning God’s mercy and future restoration. “Let all who live in the land tremble because the day of the Lord is coming… a day of darkness and gloom… a large and mighty army comes… nothing escapes them… they charge like warriors… they plunge through defenses… their forces are beyond number… the day of the Lord is great… it is dreadful. Who can endure it?… so return to me with all your heart… rend your heart rather than your garments… declare a holy fast… let them say spare your people, O Lord… for why should they say among the people – where is their God?… and the Lord will take pity on his people… and send you grain, and wine and oil… and I will drive the northern army from you… surely he has done great things… rejoice in the Lord your God… for the vats will overflow with new wine and oil… and I will repay you for the years that the locusts have eaten… and you will have plenty to eat and be full… then you will know that I am in Israel and that I am the Lord your God”.

The Book of Job calls God’s people to repentance whilst appointing to the possibilities of judgement or restoration.

This first chapter describes a catastrophic attack of locusts which affects all areas of Jewish society and which acts as a warning to them to repent before God. “Nothing like this locust attack has ever been seen… so wake up you drunkard and weep!… a nation without number has invaded the land… and has laid waste the vines and fig trees… the priests are in mourning… the farmers wail… the harvest has been destroyed… all the fruits and produce is devastated and everyone’s joy is withered away… put on sackcloth O priests… declare a holy fast… call a solemn assembly and cry unto the Lord… for the day of the Lord is near… the storehouses are in ruins… the cattle moan because they have no pasture… and the streams have dried up”.