You oppress the poor and crush the needy.
You turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.
You hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth.
You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes.
You deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
You have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness.
Sounds like a timely tirade for 2012, right? Well, yes, it actually does. But these words were actually written closer to 750 B.C. by the prophet Amos. It seems things haven't changed much in the world over the last 2,762 years.
A key theme of Amos' message was social justice… or the lack thereof in the nation of Israel. Along with perversion of worship (see previous post!), oppression of the helpless was a major reason God's judgment was about to be poured out. Even without giving specific examples, the accusations from Amos cited above paint a sufficiently sordid picture of the corrupt culture into which the prophet sopke.
Now, for some steppin' on toes… There is really no need arguing that America, like ancient Israel, often turns a blind eye and deaf ear while the poor get poorer and the rich get richer… at the expense of the poor. However, what is more disturbing is that, also like ancient Israel, those who should be the first to rise up and stop the abuse are often the most loathe to do so… and are occasionally even party to the injustices.
It has been my experience that "conservative evangelicalism," or at least the more "fundamentalist" segment of it to which I have long been exposed, seems almost afraid to "take up the cause of the poor." My personal opinion is that this is due primarily to knee-jerk overreactions against what is often called the "social gospel." Without doubt, there are those (often labeled "liberal") who substitute physical sustenance for substitutionary atonement or replace repentance with rehab. The sad truth is that there will be a lot well-fed, clean & sober people in hell, and simply meeting physical needs without ultimately sharing the gospel does a great disservice to the very people we're trying to help.
Nevertheless, it seems to me that the time has come for more of those who espouse a conservative theology to recognize the very real physical needs of people around them and serve up the Gospel with a healthy side of meat & potatoes… or coats & shoes… or clean water… or rebuilt houses… or, you get my point! Obviously it's just as much a disservice to the hungry to let them starve to death while we try to figure out how to get the Gospel to them!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Worthless Worship
My nine-year-old daughter has recently developed a great love for doing personal devotions. She's genuinely excited about spending time each day in God's Word and journaling what she learns. It makes a daddy happy! But it has also led to a couple of conversations with her about the book of Amos. You see, from time to time, my wife or I will tell her to do something and her response will be, "But I have to do my devotions!" Uh huh…
If there was a font that could somehow communicate sarcasm, I'm sure Amos 4:4-5 would be written in it. "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings. Boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do."
The northern kingdom of Israel, at the direction of King Jeroboam, had established an "alternative worship center" at the city of Bethel. The main reason was to prevent Israelites from traveling to Jerusalem (in the southern kingdom of Judah and God's prescribed location for worship) and potentially renewing their allegiance to the South… and to the Lord! Worse yet was that in what they called "worship" of Jehovah, they had incorporated the perverse, cultic rituals of the pagan nations around them.
So less sarcastically and more to the point, God's word through Amos continues: This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing… I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps." (Amos 5:4-5, 21-24)
The point… Worship, divorced from obedience, is not worship at all. Like when "doing my devotions" becomes an excuse for not doing what she's been told by her parents. Or when sacrifices at Bethel becomes an excuse for sexual immorality and disregard for God's clear instructions regarding the where & how of worship. Or, as we'll see in the upcoming chapters of Amos, when the alleged "blessings of God" on a few become an excuse for "social injustice" toward the many.
The Bible is FULL of references to this issue. 1st Samuel 15:22, Proverbs 21:3, Isaiah 1:11, Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 9:13 are just a few worth digging into. What they all bring me back to is that "worship" is not just singing some songs about or to God. It's not even the sum of all that we do on a Sunday morning in a "worship service." It is a lifestyle. Our daily obedience is what really shows God what we think of Him… how much He is worth to us. Without it, our liturgies, rituals, disciplines, ordinances and the like become meaningless. With it, they become the celebration of who God is and what He is doing in our lives.
So go have your devotions. Go to church. And in between… WORSHIP!
If there was a font that could somehow communicate sarcasm, I'm sure Amos 4:4-5 would be written in it. "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings. Boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do."
The northern kingdom of Israel, at the direction of King Jeroboam, had established an "alternative worship center" at the city of Bethel. The main reason was to prevent Israelites from traveling to Jerusalem (in the southern kingdom of Judah and God's prescribed location for worship) and potentially renewing their allegiance to the South… and to the Lord! Worse yet was that in what they called "worship" of Jehovah, they had incorporated the perverse, cultic rituals of the pagan nations around them.
So less sarcastically and more to the point, God's word through Amos continues: This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing… I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps." (Amos 5:4-5, 21-24)
The point… Worship, divorced from obedience, is not worship at all. Like when "doing my devotions" becomes an excuse for not doing what she's been told by her parents. Or when sacrifices at Bethel becomes an excuse for sexual immorality and disregard for God's clear instructions regarding the where & how of worship. Or, as we'll see in the upcoming chapters of Amos, when the alleged "blessings of God" on a few become an excuse for "social injustice" toward the many.
The Bible is FULL of references to this issue. 1st Samuel 15:22, Proverbs 21:3, Isaiah 1:11, Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 9:13 are just a few worth digging into. What they all bring me back to is that "worship" is not just singing some songs about or to God. It's not even the sum of all that we do on a Sunday morning in a "worship service." It is a lifestyle. Our daily obedience is what really shows God what we think of Him… how much He is worth to us. Without it, our liturgies, rituals, disciplines, ordinances and the like become meaningless. With it, they become the celebration of who God is and what He is doing in our lives.
So go have your devotions. Go to church. And in between… WORSHIP!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I Know You Are, but What Am I?
When Amos arrived in Bethel to deliver his message from the Lord to Israel, I imagine the initial response of God's people may have been, "It's about time!" Amos was one of a handful of prophets who pronounced judgment on Israel's enemies. In this case, the surrounding nations of Syria, Philistia, Phoeneica, Edom, Ammon and Moab were all on God's naughty list. Each had perpetrated various assaults and abuses on the Jewish nation and now Amos declared that God's retribution was on the way and could not be turned aside.
But Israel's gloating over her neighbors' condemnation was surely short-lived as Amos' message continued, following exactly the same pattern of censure against the sister kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The difference was that the Jews had not simply broken "natural law" or violated "human rights" but had "despised the law of the Lord" (2:4). Their privileged position as God's chosen people did not exempt them from God's wrath. Much to the contrary, it held them to a higher standard of accountability and led to a greater degree of culpability.
In reflecting on what implications these first two chapters of Amos might have for my life, I've been reminded of my own, sometimes out-of-whack, sense of justice. I must admit that I'm often quick to condemn the attitudes and actions of those I consider "unbelievers" or "pagans." I find myself thinking, "Why does God let them get away with that?" or, "Just you wait… you'll get yours!"
As He did with the heathen nations in Amos' day, God will judge the sins of "the world." But that's His business, not mine. In fact, my heart should be broken over that judgment and go out in compassion to those who need to repent and be spared from condemnation. Moreover, pointing fingers at others doesn't do anything except prevent me from focusing on my own accountability before God.
So as I spend the month in Amos, I'll try to bear in mind the words of Peter: "It is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
But Israel's gloating over her neighbors' condemnation was surely short-lived as Amos' message continued, following exactly the same pattern of censure against the sister kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The difference was that the Jews had not simply broken "natural law" or violated "human rights" but had "despised the law of the Lord" (2:4). Their privileged position as God's chosen people did not exempt them from God's wrath. Much to the contrary, it held them to a higher standard of accountability and led to a greater degree of culpability.
In reflecting on what implications these first two chapters of Amos might have for my life, I've been reminded of my own, sometimes out-of-whack, sense of justice. I must admit that I'm often quick to condemn the attitudes and actions of those I consider "unbelievers" or "pagans." I find myself thinking, "Why does God let them get away with that?" or, "Just you wait… you'll get yours!"
As He did with the heathen nations in Amos' day, God will judge the sins of "the world." But that's His business, not mine. In fact, my heart should be broken over that judgment and go out in compassion to those who need to repent and be spared from condemnation. Moreover, pointing fingers at others doesn't do anything except prevent me from focusing on my own accountability before God.
So as I spend the month in Amos, I'll try to bear in mind the words of Peter: "It is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
Thursday, March 1, 2012
What do you get when you play a country song backwards?
You get your wife back. You get your house back. You get your truck back. You get your dog back.
Yeah, I know… it's a tired, old joke. But I couldn't help thinking of it when I read Joel 2:25 – "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you."
The key verse of hope in the book of Joel. Repentance would bring restoration.
I've been digging into that word "restore." It shows up over 100 times in the Old Testament, almost always in the context of "paying back for a wrong done." The actual Hebrew word is shalam, and yes, it is very much like a more familiar word, shalom. It carries the idea of making peace. So the big picture is that when a wrong is done, restitution is made so that peace can be restored.
The intriguing thing about Joel's use of this word is that God would be the one to restore what was lost due to Israel's sin. Can you say, "foreshadowing"?
Romans 4:25-5:1 says, "He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
God is still in the business of making right that which He did not make wrong. Years wasted in sin, unbelief, rebellion, "back-sliding"… He can restore them. But the requirement, as it was for Israel, is repentance.
I have a good friend who claims Joel 2:25 as a sort of life verse. As long as I've known him, he's been walking the path of restoration. It's a tough journey, but he's an inspiration to me. I have an uncle with a similar story. I have wasted years of my own. How about you?
"Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing." (Joel 2:12-14)
Thanks for stopping by!
Lee
P.S. Yes, I realize it's March 1st and I should be on to Amos. But February – even with leap day thrown in there – just got away from me, and I wanted to make sure I wrote about this verse!
Yeah, I know… it's a tired, old joke. But I couldn't help thinking of it when I read Joel 2:25 – "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you."
The key verse of hope in the book of Joel. Repentance would bring restoration.
I've been digging into that word "restore." It shows up over 100 times in the Old Testament, almost always in the context of "paying back for a wrong done." The actual Hebrew word is shalam, and yes, it is very much like a more familiar word, shalom. It carries the idea of making peace. So the big picture is that when a wrong is done, restitution is made so that peace can be restored.
The intriguing thing about Joel's use of this word is that God would be the one to restore what was lost due to Israel's sin. Can you say, "foreshadowing"?
Romans 4:25-5:1 says, "He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
God is still in the business of making right that which He did not make wrong. Years wasted in sin, unbelief, rebellion, "back-sliding"… He can restore them. But the requirement, as it was for Israel, is repentance.
I have a good friend who claims Joel 2:25 as a sort of life verse. As long as I've known him, he's been walking the path of restoration. It's a tough journey, but he's an inspiration to me. I have an uncle with a similar story. I have wasted years of my own. How about you?
"Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing." (Joel 2:12-14)
Thanks for stopping by!
Lee
P.S. Yes, I realize it's March 1st and I should be on to Amos. But February – even with leap day thrown in there – just got away from me, and I wanted to make sure I wrote about this verse!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Jealous Again
Jealousy… vice or virtue? The way we usually experience or express it, probably the former. But in relation to God, who obviously has no vices, certainly the latter.
Consider the following New Oxford American Dictionary definitions of the word "jealous":
Throughout the Old Testament, God is called a "jealous God." Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 4:23-24, Joshua 24:16-19 and other passages highlight the fourth and, to some extent, the second definitions above. In Joel 2:18, however, the third definition comes into play: "Then the LORD became jealous for his land…"
Despite all debate and conflict, the land variously known as Canaan/Israel/Palestine/the Promised Land/the Holy Land has been eternally deeded to the Jews by it's rightful owner, Jehovah God. Why the Almighty chose a plot of ground in the Middle East roughly the size of New Jersey as His "home away from Home" we may never know (until His kingdom comes). But whatever the reason, the Land is His.
In the aftermath of the locust plague described by Joel, and even more so following the foreign invasion predicted by Joel, God would endure only so much violation of His holy real estate. It's likely that the "northerners" to be driven out in Joel 2:20 were the Assyrians who ravaged the land after their conquest and deportation of Israel. It's interesting to note, however that the 70-year exile of the Jews was directly related to their own abuse of the God's land (see 2 Chronicles 36:20-12).
In the ultimate "Day of the Lord," referred to often by Joel, God will once again be jealous for His land. After thousands of years trying to wrest the Promised Land from the people of promise, Israel's enemies will unite for one final assault. God Himself will crush the invaders, reestablish Israel's divinely appointed borders and take up personal residence as King. (see Joel 3 & Revelation 19-21). The LORD is jealous for His land!
And now for a soap box I don't usually get on… I'm by no means what you would call an "environmentalist." My wife has to constantly remind me where the paper, plastic and aluminum go! But digging into Joel 2:18 and related passages brought to mind verses like Psalm 24:1-2 – "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."
The human race has been given dominion, read "stewardship," over the earth. We serve God in caring for HIS world. And despite the fact that, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10), before God re-creates this world the way He intended it to be (see again Revelation 21), we are accountable to Him for the way we treat this planet He allows us to live on. The Lord is jealous for His land... so let's take good care of it!
Consider the following New Oxford American Dictionary definitions of the word "jealous":
- feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages
- feeling or showing suspicion of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship
- fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions
- (of God) demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship
Throughout the Old Testament, God is called a "jealous God." Exodus 20:3-5, Deuteronomy 4:23-24, Joshua 24:16-19 and other passages highlight the fourth and, to some extent, the second definitions above. In Joel 2:18, however, the third definition comes into play: "Then the LORD became jealous for his land…"
Despite all debate and conflict, the land variously known as Canaan/Israel/Palestine/the Promised Land/the Holy Land has been eternally deeded to the Jews by it's rightful owner, Jehovah God. Why the Almighty chose a plot of ground in the Middle East roughly the size of New Jersey as His "home away from Home" we may never know (until His kingdom comes). But whatever the reason, the Land is His.
In the aftermath of the locust plague described by Joel, and even more so following the foreign invasion predicted by Joel, God would endure only so much violation of His holy real estate. It's likely that the "northerners" to be driven out in Joel 2:20 were the Assyrians who ravaged the land after their conquest and deportation of Israel. It's interesting to note, however that the 70-year exile of the Jews was directly related to their own abuse of the God's land (see 2 Chronicles 36:20-12).
In the ultimate "Day of the Lord," referred to often by Joel, God will once again be jealous for His land. After thousands of years trying to wrest the Promised Land from the people of promise, Israel's enemies will unite for one final assault. God Himself will crush the invaders, reestablish Israel's divinely appointed borders and take up personal residence as King. (see Joel 3 & Revelation 19-21). The LORD is jealous for His land!
And now for a soap box I don't usually get on… I'm by no means what you would call an "environmentalist." My wife has to constantly remind me where the paper, plastic and aluminum go! But digging into Joel 2:18 and related passages brought to mind verses like Psalm 24:1-2 – "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters."
The human race has been given dominion, read "stewardship," over the earth. We serve God in caring for HIS world. And despite the fact that, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10), before God re-creates this world the way He intended it to be (see again Revelation 21), we are accountable to Him for the way we treat this planet He allows us to live on. The Lord is jealous for His land... so let's take good care of it!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Don't Know What You Got Till It's Gone
Joel 1:9-13 describes how the plague of locusts, sent by God as both judgment and warning of further judgment, had destroyed the grain fields and vineyards, leaving the people no way to offer the required grain or drink offerings to God. My first thought upon reading those verses was, "Why would God, in response to His people's failure to worship Him, wipe out the very resources they needed to worship Him? Why would He, in essence, prevent them for doing what He was calling them to do?"
As I pondered that enigma, several verses began rolling through my mind:
What I realized (or re-realized) was that God is more interested in lifestyle worship than liturgical worship. Form & function must take a back seat to the fear of God and true obedience. I think that should be more than a little sobering to us as we live where "Sunday morning best" refers less and less to apparel and more and more to behavior. We put on our "good self" to go to church and (presumably) worship, then spend the rest of the week living like the pagans around us.
So would God ever judge His people today like He did in Joel's day? Granted, the plague of locusts was covenant-based and a direct fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:42 so I wouldn't expect that specific judgment. It probably wouldn't have the same effect anyway, as our worship is not tied to the offering of grain and wine at the temple. But might God change our landscape so drastically that the rituals of worship we take for granted are suddenly unavailable or severely costly to us?
Growing up through the tail end of the Cold War, it was fairly common to hear speakers talk about what it would be like for Christians in America if the Communists ever took over. I even remember a chapel session being raided by camouflaged soldiers with guns and funny accents threatening to shoot anyone who didn't renounce Christ. (Probably the most fun those dressed up camp counselors ever had!)
Now don't think I'm turning into an apocalyptic doomsday prophet here, but the way things are going in our world, I wonder if we need a little of that "shock & awe" to wake us up today. If we found ourselves – by natural disaster, government proclamation, foreign invasion or any other means – without the ability to meet in a sanctuary, project song lyrics, plug in a guitar or carry out other activities we've come to associate with worship, what would we have left?
My prayer is that we'd have hearts full of love, heads full of Scripture, and lives full of obedience so we could continue, or perhaps return to, worshiping God in spirit and in truth – even if not in a church building.
As I pondered that enigma, several verses began rolling through my mind:
- Revelation 2: 5 – "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
- Matthew 5:23-24 – "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
- Psalm 51:16-17 – "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
What I realized (or re-realized) was that God is more interested in lifestyle worship than liturgical worship. Form & function must take a back seat to the fear of God and true obedience. I think that should be more than a little sobering to us as we live where "Sunday morning best" refers less and less to apparel and more and more to behavior. We put on our "good self" to go to church and (presumably) worship, then spend the rest of the week living like the pagans around us.
So would God ever judge His people today like He did in Joel's day? Granted, the plague of locusts was covenant-based and a direct fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:42 so I wouldn't expect that specific judgment. It probably wouldn't have the same effect anyway, as our worship is not tied to the offering of grain and wine at the temple. But might God change our landscape so drastically that the rituals of worship we take for granted are suddenly unavailable or severely costly to us?
Growing up through the tail end of the Cold War, it was fairly common to hear speakers talk about what it would be like for Christians in America if the Communists ever took over. I even remember a chapel session being raided by camouflaged soldiers with guns and funny accents threatening to shoot anyone who didn't renounce Christ. (Probably the most fun those dressed up camp counselors ever had!)
Now don't think I'm turning into an apocalyptic doomsday prophet here, but the way things are going in our world, I wonder if we need a little of that "shock & awe" to wake us up today. If we found ourselves – by natural disaster, government proclamation, foreign invasion or any other means – without the ability to meet in a sanctuary, project song lyrics, plug in a guitar or carry out other activities we've come to associate with worship, what would we have left?
My prayer is that we'd have hearts full of love, heads full of Scripture, and lives full of obedience so we could continue, or perhaps return to, worshiping God in spirit and in truth – even if not in a church building.
Monday, February 6, 2012
You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet!
Halftime interview with an excited athlete… Bachman-Turner Overdrive song… Plague of locusts??? Let's take door number three and the book of Joel as we start round two of the Minor Prophet of Month Club!
Having already read through Joel's three chapters several times, I'm starting to piece together the big picture and identify some key questions to investigate. I'm fascinated by how God supernaturally superintends natural events to accomplish His purposes. As with most of the Minor Prophets, the central message of the book is a call to repentance as God's people turn their backs on Him. In this case, a swarm of locusts unlike any seen before invades Israel and strips the country bare.
You might think a natural disaster of such magnitude would be enough to turn the hearts of God's people back to Him. But apparently is was not, so the message of Joel becomes, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" The locusts and the destruction they leave in their wake foreshadow a much more devastating invasion. Unless Israel repents, an army from the north will make the plague of locusts look like a Sunday picnic nuisance.
Joel seems to be full of prophetic passages with multiple degrees of fulfillment intended. As the month goes on, I'm interested to dig into those prophecies and their historical/future implications. I'll probably spend some time in Acts, Romans and of course, Revelation along the way. For now, the big "what do I learn from this" idea I'm starting with is, "What does it take for God to get my attention when I'm straying from Him?" I'm watching out my window for locusts!
BTW… if you want a little visual aid for the book of Joel - and don't mind your skin crawling a bit - check this out!
Having already read through Joel's three chapters several times, I'm starting to piece together the big picture and identify some key questions to investigate. I'm fascinated by how God supernaturally superintends natural events to accomplish His purposes. As with most of the Minor Prophets, the central message of the book is a call to repentance as God's people turn their backs on Him. In this case, a swarm of locusts unlike any seen before invades Israel and strips the country bare.
You might think a natural disaster of such magnitude would be enough to turn the hearts of God's people back to Him. But apparently is was not, so the message of Joel becomes, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" The locusts and the destruction they leave in their wake foreshadow a much more devastating invasion. Unless Israel repents, an army from the north will make the plague of locusts look like a Sunday picnic nuisance.
Joel seems to be full of prophetic passages with multiple degrees of fulfillment intended. As the month goes on, I'm interested to dig into those prophecies and their historical/future implications. I'll probably spend some time in Acts, Romans and of course, Revelation along the way. For now, the big "what do I learn from this" idea I'm starting with is, "What does it take for God to get my attention when I'm straying from Him?" I'm watching out my window for locusts!
BTW… if you want a little visual aid for the book of Joel - and don't mind your skin crawling a bit - check this out!
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