Joel is a representation of God and his people. The tie between us doing what we want to do and what God wants us to do. If we read this carefully it is a love story that God has written to us. Though when it says "what the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; and what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten. and what the creeping locust hast left the stripping locust has eaten." Now we're reading this and asking, "How is that a love story?" God is the lover crying out to his children to return to him. He knows that he is the only we should be worshiping. The warns us that the returning of Jesus is coming and that we must repent. If we don't then it maybe too late but God doesn't want it to be too late for us. He wants us to have a chance, and second and third chance. As the story goes on it shows the compassion God has for his people. "Now return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, bounding in loving kindness and relenting of evil." Just as a lover would gently and kindly beckons his children back to him. Showing that his intent is not to destroy us but to keep us safe. Joel also talks about the end of time when Jerusalem will be restored again. When all of the promised of the Lord will come in full swing. There will be flowing of milk and honey, a paradise for his people who follows him. For his children in whom he has been chasing after for so many years.
Joel could also the time on this world. The beginning of Joel is the begining in the Old Testament with God warning his children like he does so often. This is when he is talking directly to his children. The middle of Joel is God present. With us now, when it states "It will come about after this that I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind...before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes." The Holy Spirit didn't come until Jesus so I've concluded that it would be the present. Towards the end of Joel is the next coming of Jesus where he will renew Jerusalem. This is what is to come and Jesus will come back as the great Savior for the world to see.
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Emily by reading your post, I actually found out some new things about the book of Joel. I found your post very informative and i enjoyed learning new things. How did you like the overall turn out of going outside and reading the book of Joel?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. It is true that in the book of Joel that God is calling out to His children to reprent. He even goes so far as to describe the destruction that will unfold if they continue to do things their way (in the sense as a parent describing punishment). Even though His nager kindled due to their disbedience He could not overlook the unfailing love that He has. He even tells them what they need to do in order to spare themselves from further destruction and restore their land. This book just reminds me more of His limitless grace and mercy.
ReplyDeleteI liked this post. I like the way you said that Joel was a "love story" between God and us. I think that is so true, that the Bible itself is a love story, if you will. When you go on to explain that statement, it just further proves how right you are.
ReplyDeleteThis was good.It is a constant struggle to do what is right and not do what we want to do...This book of Joel really can give you a different perspective on things....Good job.
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