Episode notes
The Lord refreshes the land
From the first word of Joel through verse 17 of chapter 2, the outlook is gloomy. Ominous.
Downright nasty.
From locusts and judgment to battles and earthquakes, we wonder if there is anything good in this book.
And then verse 18, the pivot of the entire book, jumps off the page like a bolt of light-ning: "Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, and pity His people."
God would not abandon His people or His promises. Yes, He would punish. Yes, He would judge. Yes, He would give them over to their enemies.
But He would not turn His back on them.
Not only that, but everything used for punishment would become undone: the grain and wine and oil would be sent to satisfy (v. 19), the enemies would be driven away (v. 20), and God would restore the years the locust had devoured (v. 25).
It's one thing to return a land to harvest and remove our enemies, but God also has the power to give us back the years we lost. Oh glory.
But there's more. "And it shall come to
STUDY THE BOOK
Joel 2:18-32
pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (v. 28).
Look at believers today. The Spirit is available to all, men and women both speak the Word, both young and old have the anointing of the Spirit on their lives, and we are no longer "Jews" and "Gentiles" but all flesh, found righteous in God by our faith in Christ. And
"whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (v. 32).
MORE INSIGHT
The minor prophets share a similar message many times, particularly when it pertains to a prophecy about Christ. Note the similarity between Joel 2:27 and Zephaniah 3:14-20.
The apostle Peter made reference to Joel in his great sermon in Acts 2:14-21. Joel (1)V15
Joel (3)Vv1-15