“That’s The Way It Is or How Bad Can It Get?” Joel 1:1-2:27
Human history is filled with horrible events. Some of them are called “acts of God”. Joel wrote about what God had revealed to him through just such an event.
Background info:
Joel’s name is a contraction of “Jehovah is Elohim”
Which means “The LORD is God”Joel’s background: >son of Pethuel & prophet to Judah
approximate date of writing: pre-exilic ( 586 BC)
message of the book:
“Repent, for there is a day coming that is worse than any other day in history!”
Joel 1:1-20
1. A plague of locusts has devastated the Judean countryside.
Joel 2:1-11
2. The Lord can use disaster to accomplish His purposes.
Joel 2:12-17
3. Knowing what is coming, God’s people should return to Him.
Joel 2:18-26
4. God gives forgiveness and restoration to those who repent.
Joel 2:27
5. The Lord will do all of this to remind His people of who He is.
Conclusion:
We must warn others of what’s coming and of the need to repent.
Repent, for there is a day coming that is worse than any other in history!
”Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Joel 2:32
That’s The Way It Will Be
Destruction & Resoration – Joel 2:28 –3:21
As Joel stares at the armies of locusts and the devastation they brought to Judah, God shows him a day, yet future, that will affect the whole world.
Joel 2:28-29
1.The Day of the LORD will involve a spiritual awakening.
Joel 2:30-31
2. Frightening things will happen in the heavens and the earth.
Joel 2:32-3:8
3.Israel will be restored, nations will be judged, and whoever calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.
Joel 3:9-16
4.As the world prepares for war, God will smite the world with His fury.
Joel 3:17-21
5.When Jerusalem is restored forever, all will know that Jehovah(the LORD) is Elohim(God).
God is going to make very clear to
everyone that He is in charge.
We prepare for that day by how we live today.
“…the day of the Lord is near…..
you shall know that I am the Lord your God!”
Joel 3:14,17
