When considering the book of Joel, many of us will immediately turn our attention to the prophetic words of Joel 2:28-32 (NKJV). This is the prophecy that Peter, by inspiration, brought to the minds of all the nations gathered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21). What Joel had prophesied took place in the days of the Apostles of Christ and the coming of His Kingdom. Depending on the dating of the book of Joel (900 B.C. to 400 B.C.), the fulfillment of the prophecy was 400 to 900 years later. A valuable lesson for us today is God’s word will stand. He is not bound by time nor operates on our schedule.
Joel, the son of Pethuel (Joel 1:1), whose name means “Yahweh is God,” urged Judah to turn away from sin and back to God. A devastating swarm of locusts had laid the land waste. The destruction was like nothing seen before, “Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers” (Joel 1:2)? The variety of locusts came in stages so that the land was left completely bare (Joel 1:4), and the damage was so great it would be known for generations (Joel 1:3). This was not something that could be overlooked, and everyone in Judah was affected by the plague of locusts (Joel 1:13-20). It was a wake-up call by God for His people to recognize their spiritual state. The damage done was physical but was in demand of spiritual change. “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful” (Joel 2:12-13).
With the proper response from the nation, God would bless them both physically and spiritually again. Just as their sin had deprived them of the blessings of God, He is faithful to revive the land when they turn back, wholeheartedly, to Him. “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month” (Joel 2:23). “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame (Joel 2:26). Our sin ravages our lives and strips us of the blessing of God. Yet true repentance and remorse can bring about our spiritual healing. Cry out to the Lord (Joel 1:19) and be zealous for Him.
By: Jerrod Hammond