Saturday 18 January 2014

Background

Earlier in the book of Joel there have been terrible warningsabout the day of the Lord. There had been a plague of locusts (Joel1:4) which inspired Joel to see how God would come to judge -and why the people must live in a better way.

In today's passage there is a positive and encouraging message. Thesickle is a tool for cutting grain - the harvest was ready togather in once again. The grapes were ready to be trod to producethe juice to make wine.

There is however, a mixed message, because God was also coming tojudge the wicked. In all the judgement to come, some would befrightened, but it was a strong reminder that God was the people'sgod, living among them. The "holy mountain" was a reference to themountain in Jerusalem which was the centre of worship - a specialplace where God was encountered.

In a dry and arid land - especially in one which had beendevastated by locusts - Joel provided a vision of wine, milk andflowing water. Just as God had promised a land flowing with milkand honey when God's people were travelling to the Promised Landafter slavery in Egypt (Exodus3:8), God's promise was proclaimed once again.

Two nations were particularly singled out, though, for destruction.Egypt was an old enemy and Edom had gloated over the nation'sdestruction once before and was especially hated (Obadiah 8-11).

If the name Joel did mean something like 'God is God', then theprophet Joel's message certainly stressed just that.

To Ponder

• What signs of hope can you see in the world today?

• Do you find it difficult, or easy, to think of evil peoplebeing punished? Why?

• Have you ever questioned why God has behaved in a particularway? What happened?