Canonical Reading Plan for Sep 21, Joe 1-3

Today's readings are Joe 1-3.

We know very little about the prophet Joel. There is even great debate over when the book was written with some notable scholars claiming it was authored in the fourth century BC and others, just as credible, placing it in the seventh or eighth. This difficulty in placing the date should not detract from Joel's main theme which is a call to repent. 

Joel is unique in that it calls for repentance but never specifies what Israel is to repent of. With this in mind, it should be read as a lesson on the importance of repentance among God's people. 

Joel vividly describes a series of plagues of locusts in Joe 1. They utterly devastated the land and left the temple desolate. Israel's destruction was complete. These plagues are reminders of how far Israel had fallen and are designed be a warning sign urging Israel to come together in prayer and fasting, asking for God's mercy.

Once again, we see God's people called to assess their relationship with their Father in heaven and determine whether or not He is the highest priority in their lives. Now that they have returned, it would be easy for them to forget their deliverance and fall back into the ways that got them in trouble prior to the invasion and captivity. If God is not the focus of their worship and their lives, they should repent (Joe 1:8, 11, 13, 14). 

One of the major lessons of the overall Bible narrative can be found in these constant reminders and calls to repentance. Taking God and His blessings for granted always seems to land the Hebrews in a tight spot. Contrite, heartfelt repentance always garners His renewed blessing.

Far from being historical tales of a time when God was always venting His wrath, these early lessons are intended to teach us how to relate to Christ (1 Cor 10:11). Some modern teachers tell us that God is gracious and there is no need for a born again Christian to ask forgiveness because Jesus changed everything about how we relate to the Father. Convincing ourselves to believe that something has changed about the unchanging character and nature of God now that Jesus has come denies that His arrival was part of the plan all along. There is never a time in the history of the Jews when their sin was ignored or dismissed simply because "God is gracious." God is gracious and willing to forgive, but sin must be dealt with on an ongoing basis. We see this clearly when the saved, regenerated, forgiven church with new hearts is called to repent in Rev 2:4-5, 16, 21, 22; 3:3. Lost sinners are called to repent for salvation. God calls His existing children to repent, not to save them again, but to draw them closer.

Christ's work on the cross effectively deals with our sins, but our devotion to Him and His holiness is expressed in our repentance. It is the tool God has graciously granted us (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25) that affords us the fuller blessings of Christ's sacrifice. Without sincere repentance and grieving over our sin, there are consequences. None of them are eternal, all are temporary, but they can be devastating nonetheless. We see examples of them in Joel. Repentance by His people has been a crucial element of God's plan to deliver those who are His from the beginning.

Joe 2 warns of the arrival of another enemy who will come against Jerusalem in the same manner as the locusts. That army will be destroyed by God. The land will be restored, and the people will turn back toward God (Joel 2:28-31).

We see the ultimate destruction of all those who oppose God in Joe 3. His blessing will eternally rest on those who are His.

Joel prophetically shows God supernaturally delivering His children from overwhelming opposition. It also shows God redeeming Israel. Both actions, while becoming a reality in Joel's time, are also prophetic images of God's eternal judgment of those who oppose Him and blessing on those who are His.

Amid all the prophecy and visions of destruction is a beautiful tale of how freely God's blessings flow when His people repent. They are restored, renewed and provided for in abundance. Joel is a beautiful promise of what is to come. But, it's also a beautiful promise of God's grace now when His people repent and turn their focus back on Him.