Joel 2 -- His Love Knows No Bounds

Joel was seeing all this stuff in what I’d call layers.  I can’t imagine how confusing that might have been for him.  The locust plague also would later be an invading army.  The land, decimated right then, would become like the Garden of Eden, and someday (both then and still future?) another invading army would decimate it again.  The description of the army and the roar as it moved was probably unbelievable to Joel’s generation, yet sounds like a modern army to us.

Cosmic events will precede the final army invasion, and Israel will be tearing their clothes with anxiety.  Yet, with the army at their door, directed by God, we hear Him say, “Even NOW, come back to Me with all your heart.  Go without food, and cry and be SAD … Let your heart be broken.  Come back to the Lord your God, because He is kind and shows mercy.  He doesn’t become angry quickly, and He has great love.  He can change His mind about doing harm.”

He loves us and wants us back so much that He’s willing to invade to get our attention.  He’ll do whatever it takes to overcome our stubbornness and lead us back from disobedience.  But we can become so blinded by our sin that we can’t see that.

God says, “I will pay you back for those years of trouble,” but it doesn’t mean what it sounds like at first.  He’s really saying, “I will not only forgive you; I will give you back the years you have wasted.”

God mentions also things that would have been unfathomable for those in Joel’s time.  His Spirit was going to be poured out on all people – not just a chosen leader for a time – and “all people” would mean Jews and non-Jews as well!  My commentary said this prophecy began to be fulfilled at Pentecost, but won’t reach fulfillment until the start of Christ’s 1000-year reign on earth.

There is even hope for those left behind.  “Those left alive after the day of punishment are the people whom God CALLED.”  As He said, “Even now, come back to Me.”

Father, Your grace and mercy astound me.  You’d bring an invading army and destroy the land just to bring me back to You.  Thank You for showing me such love.  Remind me that You are willing to do that even for those whom I can’t imagine You ever loving.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford