Joel Pt3 What is Happening?
(drawn info from Joel Rosenberg- Epicenter Conf, Mike Bickle- Joel Series, Joel: The Day of the Lord by David Levy, The Minor Prophets by James Boice, other resources as noted)
Introduction/Review
We are studying Joel- what does the book mean-
to me as a Christian, Israel, to- rest of the world?
Alarm bells are going off yet the church is-
so intoxicated with life in this world, it is
unable to respond to the call to pray/fast/repent.
There is a-
fallen world that is not listening, and a
Church unable to proclaim the truth.
Joel was written to serve as a-
wake up call- Israel- prepare for- Day of the Lord
trumpet call- church- prepare for- Day of the Lord
warning- nations- Day of the Lord is coming.
Today- begin verse by verse look at Joel.
Joel 1
v1.1
Joel- Jehovah is God or the Lord is God
Message of Joel- God is sovereign- it is His Creation.
Nothing in Joel tells us when the book was written, yet as people want to know times.
During the day we want to know what time of day it is.
Matthew 16:2–3 (NASB95)
2“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
3“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
We can discern- weather- but not the signs of the times.
Important to understand where we are in human history.
There was a beginning to human history- will be an end.
Mat 24:3 (NASB) As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Disciples asked Jesus- how do we tell what time it is?
Joel- the time is now- we may be the last generation.
v1.2-13
Verses 1.2-13 describe- actual historic disaster- that foreshadows- future disaster at the end of the age.
The Lord warns various groups of people-
1.2 elders, all inhabitants of the land
1.5 drunkards
1.8 virgins, bridegrooms
1.9, 13 priests, ministers of the Lord
1.11 farmers, vinedressers
The question is- will we wake up? Do we-
see how far we have drifted from God?
realize how drunk we are with this world?
see how blind/deaf we are-what God is saying?
v1.2
Elders- community/political leaders of the day- those who were suppose to hear from God- call to leaders.
All inhabitants- call to everyone to fast and pray. (Jud 5.2)
Has anything like this happened-
God is going to shake the nations-
Hag 2:6-7 (NASB95)
6“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7‘I will shake all the nations-
There will be scoffers both inside/outside the church-
2 Pet 3.3-9 (Psa 1.1-3)
People’s world view will not come from the Bible but from wishful thinking- not wanting things to change.
End time scenario- be dismissed- too extreme/not now.
1 John 3:2–3 (NASB95)
2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
3And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
The Word of God will not go away just because we do not want to think about it.
Noah- a man who embraced- dramatic prophetic word-
(it had never rained- a mist watered the earth)
Heb 11:7 (also v6) By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
For 120 years Noah changed his life- built an Ark.
v1.3
We have lost a sense of the eternal, of a God ordained destiny to be handed down- generation/generation.
We have handled God’s Word/eternal things- loosely-
2 Tim 2:15 (NASB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (1 Jn 1:1–3)
Joel gives a four generation mandate- four generations walking together can change the world.
We want our children to believe God’s Word is true and it is a normal way to live our lives- it is normal to-
lay down our lives for others,
love our enemies (bless them),
give generously, sacrificially, joyfully,
forgive those who have offended us,
go the second mile,
pray, fast, read God’s Word.
In v1.2-3- HEAR and LISTEN- pay close attention.
God wants- message passed on to next generation- because He desires His people to avoid judgment.
God loves us too much to allow us to continue in sin and then face judgment.
He wants us to live in relationship with Him based on agreement with His heart.
God is looking for relationship on His terms, not ours.
God is calling us to hear His heart/listen to His Word.
Just like- disciples on road to Emmaus- want our hearts to burn within us- when God’s Word is opened-
Lk 24:32 (NASB) They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”
Even- disciples struggled with dull hearts of unbelief-
Mk 16:14 (NASB) Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Conclusion
We should turn to God before the judgment comes.
Additional Information
Book of Joel- referred to in other areas in the Bible-
Act 2.16-21 Apostle Peter quotes Joel
Mat 24.29 Jesus mentions Joel when describing the signs of the last days
Rom 10.13 Apostle Paul- mentions Joel
