“Even now,” declares the LORD, ”return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. 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. (Joel 2:12-13)
Yesterday began our reading of the minor prophets. We start with the prophecy of Joel.
Reading and understanding the minor prophets takes some work. The prophets use a lot of imagery and symbolism…much of which can only be understood by comparing Scripture with Scripture and knowing the historical situation in which they wrote.
Joel is one of the more difficult prophets to understand because his historical situation is relatively unknown. Apparently a massive locust invasion in Judah prompted Joel to prophesy. The devastation in the land caused by the locusts led Joel to foretell of a future time when the devastation will be even greater…only this time it won’t be locusts that invade the land but a vast army intent on destroying Israel.
Though Israel has been invaded many times since Joel’s prophecy, it appears that his prophecy pertains primarily to a still future time when Israel will be invaded by an army and the Messiah will intervene to bring judgment on Israel’s enemies and blessing upon the land. This is what the people in Jesus’ day expected when He claimed to be Messiah. However, they failed to repent because they failed to understand their deep need for forgiveness and spiritual salvation. They wanted physical relief not spiritual regeneration. Thus, the kingdom was postponed until the time of Christ’s second coming.
We now stand in that gap waiting for the appearance of our Savior and God, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Unfortunately it is just as easy for us to get sidetracked as Israel did in the Old Testament. We want physical relief more than spiritual renewal. We weep and mourn over trivial things rather than over the condition of the souls of mankind. I fall into that trap. That’s why reading the Old Testament prophets is usually not a “fun” experience. You are confronted with your addiction to things that really do not matter.
Joel confronts us with the words of the LORD–”Even now, return to me with all your heart with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. 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” (2:12-13).
I love that description of God…gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love. But Joel does not tell us these things to promote passivity in our lives. We are not to take advantage of God’s grace like a rebellious teenager who figures he can do what he wants since his parents are so kind and gracious. No, God’s kindness is to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). God’s grace is to compel us to return to Him…as the broken prodigal returns to the Father…not run from Him spending our Father’s inheritance on wasteful, worthless things.
Just yesterday Joshua, my youngest son, gave me a run for my money. He was in a particularly obstinate mood. As a father, I tried to walk that delicate balance between love and discipline. I am sure I did not do it very well. My frustration was too strong at times. But as I reflected on that this morning, I realized that, to God, I am like my son, Joshua. Obstinate. Bent on my own way. Resistant to my Father’s proddings. God perfectly walks that balance between love and discipline, letting me experience the disappointments and pains of my own stubbornness and gently extending out His hands of love to welcome me back into His arms. But I must be willing to come.
Lord, I come to You this morning. Give me a repentant heart that does not take advantage of Your kindness but rather runs into Your arms of love and enjoys Your gracious embrace.