Subscription Lists

There is great debate over the time period in which the book of Joel was written and the exact conditions that prevailed, conditions which compelled him to write with such vivid picture words and phrases. But, there can be little debate over the fact that Joel was absolutely focused on the coming day of the Lord. In his little three chapter book, he used this phrase at least once in each chapter. This repetition was doubtless due to the fact that Joel knew for certain the terror that would befall the inhabitants of Israel should God’s threatened judgments be unleashed upon them.

Joel’s focus was unwavering and his tone was somber; his style was direct and succinct. Perhaps the gist of Joel’s purpose can best be summed up by considering a few verses from the second chapter of his book. "For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? ‘Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm." (Joel 2.11a-13).

Though inspired of the Holy Spirit, one has to be impressed by Joel’s turn of a phrase as he wrote, "So rend your heart, and not your garments." It was a long standing custom for those in mourning over almost any situation to tear or shred their garments as an outward token of their grief. Some carried this practice over into religious activities as a public means of displaying their sorrow for their sins. However, Joel knew that the problem of Israel was a problem of the heart, one which could not be remedied by a ritual designed merely as a show. Hence the admonition, "So rend your heart!" This picturesque expression drove directly and succinctly to the core of Israel’s sin problem. Contained in Joel’s exhortation is his deep understanding of the sin process and of the character of God. Joel knew that sin originates in the human heart and therefore must be cured there (compare the words of Jesus at Matthew 15.17-20). Joel also knew that God is not impressed by mere outward ceremony; He demands obedience rather than sacrifice (see Samuel’s words at 1 Samuel 1.22).

As concerns Joel’s knowledge of God’s character, note the following: "Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm." (Joel 2.13). Joel understood that prophecies of judgment frequently imply the possibility of a changed outcome should the subjects of the prophecy repent. As long as there was time, there was still the possibility that God would refrain from bring the destruction promised. Unlike Jonah, Joel was not at all hurt of offended by the possibility of the Israelites hearing his words, repenting, and thus avoiding the horrible fate which had been prophesied.

Take two things from this message: First, God is gracious and does not wish any to perish (see 2 Peter 3.9). Second, the only way to effect a change in God’s attitude to us is for us to change our attitude toward Him; formalist and rituals have no positive impact on Jehovah God!

Questions:

1. Scanning the book of Joel, where does he use the phrase, "The day of the Lord"?

2. What is implied by the fact that Joel instructed Israel to rend their hearts and not their garments?

3. How does this admonition compare to Jesus words’ in Matthew 15.17-20?

4. Though angered by sin, how did Joel depict God when his subjects repent?

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

No Harm, No Foul (12-17-10)