><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joel) CHAPTER 1:1-2:17 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Two addresses on the plague of locusts, both describing in different ways its severity, and summoning the people to repent. 1 What teaching is given in this passage on the need for corporate repentance for national sin? What essentials of true repentance are given in 2: 12, 13? 2 Gather together the teaching on 'the day of the Lord' in this passage. What is its significance? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Joel) Chapter 1:1-2:17 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) All are called to repent- even drunkards, farmers, priests and elders. It's a picture of a desperate time of drought and locusts up to the ears. It is interesting how the OT refers to fruits a lot, then says that just like it "the joy of mankind is withered away."v12b, and calls the priests to put on sackcloth and mourn all night. Repentance is key here. (2) The "day of the Lord" is dark, gloom, clouds and blackness, fire devouring and flames blazing, desert waste. The locusts are compared to a large and mighty army, and the day is described as dreadful and close at hand. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joel Chapter 1:1 - 2:17 Joel's Warning to Judah Chapter 1 - God's chastisement was upon them with appalling famine, caused by an awful plague of locusts, followed by a prolonged drought that devastated the land. People and flocks were dying for lack of food and water. The plague and drought in Joel's day came from the Almighty, 1:15. Food was cut off and joy and gladness from the house of God stopped, 1:16, because they depart from God and searched for their own way of joy with wine, 1:5, in those days. 2:12-14 is a call to repentance - 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. In the book of Joel, The Day of the Lord, 1:15 appears to be divided into three stages: a coming day of judgment for Israel, 1:15; 2:1-11; a coming day of restoration for Israel, 2:28-32; a coming day of judgment for the nations 3:1-21. [The Word in Life Study Bible] According to 1:14 and 2:17, it appears that God charges the church minister and elders a particular role of responsibility in the occurrence of repentance of a congregation. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Joel is a predecessor of Obadiah preaching during the reign of Jehoash. He He preached national revival to the people of Judah. 1) Joel sees a vision of locusts, 4 waves that devour more and more with each wave. He specifically mentions them devouring the vines and the grain, and taking away the joy(wine) and the security(food) of the people. Joel calls for sackcloth and lamentation from the people. He calls them to fasting and prayer - 'cry out to the Lord'. 2) Here again as in the book of Zephaniah, the Day of the Lord is mentioned. We see here that the Day of Shaddai(the Almighty) will bring famine, remove gladness and joy, and no stores or long term security for food. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joel) CHAPTER 2:18-3:21 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What is God's reaction to His people's repentance? What principle does this teach? 2 How has the prophecy of 2: 28, 29 been fulfilled far more wonderfully than Joel foresaw? 3 Chapter 3 is a vision of mercy upon Israel, and judgment on her enemies. In what ways had the nations angered God by their treat- ment of Israel, and what judgment would fall on them? What according to 3: 17 and 21 is the supreme blessedness of God's people? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Joel) Chapter 2:18-3:21 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) God is gracious to his repentant people. This is, to me, a book of passionate crescendos. v19-27 are beautiful promises of what the Lord will do for Israel (grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully...19b). (2) A pouring out of the Spirit on ALL people. This famous passage is indicative of a full forgiveness on God's part..."And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved...among the survivors whom the Lord calls." I think it also shows predestination in a sense. (3) The other nations are judged, while Judah and Jerusalem's fortunes are restored. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joel 2:18 - 3:21 The Day of the Lord in Prospect The first part of this book shows that God's people drift away and sought worldly lusts and caused the anger of the Lord to be provoked. For that reason, God sent plagues to chastise them. Joel called the nation's attention to repentance. "Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing --- ." 2:14. Then, the Lord cherished His own land and took pity on His own people and blessed them with new wine, fruits, oil, green pastures and protection. "And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. ..." 2:28-29. This is the most important part of God's blessings toward His people - that is Immanuel, God is with us. Then, comes the dreadful day of the Lord described in 2:31. "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; ---" 2:32 Joel also prophesied that final judgment will come for all the nations, 3:2-7; 12; Christ will reign in Zion, 3:21. In that day The mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; All the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord's house and will water the valley of acacias. Joel 3:18 The River From the Temple Ezekiel 47:12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, Nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, Because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) God has forgiveness on His people because they repented. This teaches the principle of God's Mercy. Mercy that would ignore even a sinful and wicked people because they have repented. 2) The prophecy of 2:28-29 will be fulfilled when Christ returns. The wonders and signs will be great, and 32 ...'it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Will be delivered" 3) God was angry with the harsh treatment by surrounding nations of Israel. They would be exiled from the nation of Jerusalem. Israel will be avenged by God in the end. The supreme blessing of God's people is that He will dwell with them. David too knew the great blessing of this cohabitation... Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 27:4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. May we too realize the priveledge and honor that is ours...as Jesus promised: John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. How sweet the love of Jesus to receive us, a sinful and wicked people into his loving arms and to prepare a place so that where He is there we may be also...