JOEL – Chapter 1
A DIVINE WAKE-UP CALL
The Book of Joel is a very relevant book for our time, in that Joel’s ministry takes place
during a time of great social unrest and “pending” judgment. Such an atmosphere
exists today, within our society. With the growing national debt, the rise of social
anarchy, a nuclear threat looming in the east, economic instability; accompanied by an
increasingly “hostile” environment, nationally, toward Christ. As with ancient Judah,
our rebellion against God has made us “willing” candidates for God’s divine judgment,
unless we repent.
To awaken His people, Judah (southern Israel), the Lord sends a massive plague of
locust against the nation, as a precursor of impending judgment, in hopes that Judah
would turn from the darkness of their sins to the light of His truth! Through His servant
Joel, God reminds Judah of the only “true” path of hope for their nation, “sincere
repentance,” coming back to their God! In fact, the Hebrew name for Joel is Yo’el
meaning: Yaweh is God. In Christ there is salvation for every person and nation!
(v.1-4) Agriculture has been completely decimated in the land. Notice: Joel starts at the
top, with the “leadership” of the nation. Never before had the people seen a locust
infestation like this; God was trying to tell them something; it’s time to “wake up!”
(v.5-7). It’s not a time for rousing political speeches, or self-help seminars or positive
confession prognosticators, “desperate” times require “desperate” measures! (v.6a) “a
nation” – the locust invasion was a precursor (warning) of an actual military invasion
from the north, due to Judah’s rebellion; probably a reference to the Babylonians.
We live in a time whereby we are seeing the erosion of the Biblical principles, upon
which this nation was established, being eaten away like a plague of locust, as never
before! As with the Roman Empire in its decline, many have chosen the temporary
escape of entertainment and pleasure to “numb” themselves to the “reality” which
surrounds us! But entertainment and laughter was not a solution then (for Rome), and
it is surely not a solution today. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:7-10)
(v.8-10) The locust invasion “depleted” the supply of grain, new wine, (or “sweet wine”
– produced from the grape harvest of the same year), and oil. These were used in
offering sacrifices, as an act of worship, before the Lord. They are also symbolic of the
word, (grain); joy (new wine - prosperity –Prov. 3:10) and anointing (oil - presence of
God). As with ancient Judah, compromise will always “cut us off” from the word
(grain), joy (new wine), and oil (anointing), of God.
(ttt) Nehemiah 13:4-12 - Tobiah weaseled his way into the courts of the Lord’s house,
due to his “connection” with the Jewish community through marriage, (6:17, 18).
Eliashib, being a priest should have known better; yet, he embraced Tobiah as an
“ally” (Nehemiah 13:4), but in fact, he was an enemy of God. Tobiah means:
“goodness of Jehovah” or “Lord is good.” The lesson regarding “compromise” is just
because it looks good - doesn’t mean it’s the Lord! Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test
the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1) As
Judah would find out; “compromise” only produces “shame” and “joylessness,” in our
walk with God, (v.11, 12).
Joel also issues a “wakeup” call to the spiritual leadership of the land; for them to set
the example for the nation. “Gird yourselves,” a call to “expectant-faith,” looking to
God alone! (v.13, 14). As believers in this “low time” our present wicked and rebellious
generation, it is “high time” to sincerely seek the Lord. And do this, knowing the time, that now
it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)
God would rather have us “cry out,” than “complain!”
Joel charges them to lament (grieve) and “wail” over the condition of their nation and
the temple; the “grain and drink” offerings are withheld from the House of God, due to
the locust infestation. Leaders in the church should be grieved over the plight of their
nation, but even more so the spiritual bankruptcy of God’s house. Yet many leaders in
the church seem unmoved by the spiritual deficit of grain and drink offerings, (true
worship) in God’s house, the church. They appear more concerned with marketing,
numbers, celebrity, appeasement, and comfort. But if we will see true change we must,
“pray,” “cry out!” (v.14). “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray
and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and
heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Opportunity; monthly “Selah” meetings.
The people not only had to deal with the locust plague, but also with a severe drought
in the land (v.15-18). The “food” has been cut off from the land. For the church our
“food” is our Father’s will and His word. Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who
sent Me, and to finish His work. (John 4:34) There is a “famine” in the church today, not of bread
and water, but of reverence for God’s “word” (Amos 8:11). Therefore the “seed” (word)
shrivels under the “clod,” of carnality; the storehouses and barns (churches) lie in
shambles, because we refuse to allow His word to dwell within us, “richly,” (Colossians
3:16).
Chapter one ends with the prophet “crying out,” declaring His utter dependence upon
the Lord in the midst of total devastation, (v.19, 20). Communion reminds us, because
of the “cross,” God will hear our “cry!” (ttt) Psalm 143:7-12. God hears us that He
might deliver us, teach us and revive us! This is your wake-up call! "Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:14) Only a fool would hit the snooze
button; but “desperate” people will arise and “live!”