We will spend two days reading the second minor prophet, Joel. Biblical scholars believe that Joel was a post-exile prophet of around 400 B.C.
Joel began talking with the devastation of the land by a swarm of locusts (Joel 1:4). We cannot tell whether it was a vision, an actual natural disaster that Joel had experienced, or a metaphor for an invading army (Joel 1:5-10). For Joel, it was "the Day of the Lord".
Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes (Joel 1:15).
Joel began talking with the devastation of the land by a swarm of locusts (Joel 1:4). We cannot tell whether it was a vision, an actual natural disaster that Joel had experienced, or a metaphor for an invading army (Joel 1:5-10). For Joel, it was "the Day of the Lord".
Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes (Joel 1:15).
Different prophets use the term "the Day of the Lord" with different meanings. Some used it as a judgment against the nations (Jeremiah 46:10, Ezekiel 30:3, Obadiah 1:15). Amos said it was a day of darkness (Amos 5:18). Others seemed to suggest the end of the world (Isaiah 13:6, Joel 1:15, Zechariah 14:1, Malachi 4:5). Still others used the term to proclaim judgment on the leaders of Israel (Zephaniah 1:8).
However, we have to be cautious with all prophecies of the Bible. Scholars believe that these prophecies can be predictions of both short-term and long-term. That is to say, a prediction of the destruction of Israel could be fulfilled by the destruction of Israel a short time in the future and it can also be a description of the end of the world.
In the case of Joel, he was obviously talking about the near future. It is because he told the priests, leaders, elders and the people to weep for their sins, to repent and to cry to the Lord before the altar in the hope that God would change His mind and spare them.
Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.
Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? (Joel 2:13-14)
A search on the Old Testament shows that "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" seems to be a formula and appears many times in different places (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).
Only three prophets, Jeremiah, Joel and Jonah mention the Lord repented of evil. The expression can also be found in three other places (Exodus 32:14, 2 Samuel 24:16, 1 Chronicles 21:15). The last two verses talk about the same incident.
So, God is a merciful God. He is extremely patient and slow to anger. Even if He is angry, He could change His mind and Joel was urging the people to repent so as to make God change His mind. This is indeed very encouraging for sinners. Without this tolerance of God, who could survive? We should learn from this patience of God.
However, we have to be cautious with all prophecies of the Bible. Scholars believe that these prophecies can be predictions of both short-term and long-term. That is to say, a prediction of the destruction of Israel could be fulfilled by the destruction of Israel a short time in the future and it can also be a description of the end of the world.
In the case of Joel, he was obviously talking about the near future. It is because he told the priests, leaders, elders and the people to weep for their sins, to repent and to cry to the Lord before the altar in the hope that God would change His mind and spare them.
Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.
Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? (Joel 2:13-14)
A search on the Old Testament shows that "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" seems to be a formula and appears many times in different places (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).
Only three prophets, Jeremiah, Joel and Jonah mention the Lord repented of evil. The expression can also be found in three other places (Exodus 32:14, 2 Samuel 24:16, 1 Chronicles 21:15). The last two verses talk about the same incident.
So, God is a merciful God. He is extremely patient and slow to anger. Even if He is angry, He could change His mind and Joel was urging the people to repent so as to make God change His mind. This is indeed very encouraging for sinners. Without this tolerance of God, who could survive? We should learn from this patience of God.
Dear Lord, I thank You for allowing me enough time to develop my potentials. I pray that one day, I may be able to serve You and Your Church well. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment