Joel 2:1-11

Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?                                                                                                                       

3 Joel 2:30-31 ESV “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

We are seeking to learn from and about the twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. We are studying them chronologically rather than their order in the Bible. The point of this is to demonstrate that, down through the centuries, the problems of mankind do not change because their hearts remain sinful. It will also demonstrate that God’s attitude to sin remains unchanged and unchanging.  

This is a second look at Joel.  Last time we noticed that he issued a call to the nation to repent of their sins coupled with a promise of deliverance to those who heeded the call. This time we are going to examine what Joel means when he warns the people that, “The Day of the Lord is at hand.” Instead of it being a Day of Joy it will be a Day of Judgment.

The Kind of Day it will be for all who for all who reject God’s grace.

The idea of the Day of the Lord is common throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament it heralds the consummation of the kingdom of God and the end of all attacks upon it. In Joel it is a “day of destruction”, a day "that is near" , a “ great and very terrible day”, “great and awesome day” “and a day of decision”.

Turn to Joel 2:

1. A day to tremble.

2. A day of darkness, gloom, clouds and blackness.

2. A large and mighty army unlike anything ever seen before.

3. A fire devours everything in front of them.

3. Nothing escapes them.

10. Before them the earth shakes and the sky trembles.

11. The Lord thunders at the head of His army; His forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey His command. The Day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?

Joel’s description of the Day of the Lord would be widely accepted by his original hearers as long as they thought he was referring to the Gentile nations and the enemies of Israel and Judah but Joel could see all around him the sin and hypocrisy of those who thought that they were the Chosen Race. Somewhere, down through the years, the inhabitants of the Promised Land had lost sight of what it meant to be the Chosen People.

What it should mean to belong to the people of God.

Ex 19:3-6 NKJV 3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Deut. 6:4ff

In Joel’s day they had exchanged an exclusive relationship with Jehovah for the religions of the nations around them. Ritual, ceremony and idols had become substitutes for righteousness and a love relationship. The chosen people now worshipped the work of their hands and the imaginations of their hearts rather than the God of Heaven and revelation. They were going to find themselves facing the judgment that they thought was reserved for their enemies. Joel was speaking to the Jews and warning them of impending doom.

Joel 2:12-14, 2:25-27 God’s gracious promises.

Even now return to me... Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord.

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.

But these promises must be accepted. The people must return to the Lord.

You may be among the multitude of whom Joel speaks, those who are in the valley of decision. The promises are marvellous but you must make the decision to turn from your sins and to accept the forgiveness God graciously offers you.