17. the message of joel

8/14/2019 17. the Message of Joel

1/25

The MessageThe Message

ofof

JOELJOEL


2/25

The MessengerThe Messenger

The Author,The Author,

JOELJOEL


3/25

The Messenger: Who WasThe Messenger: Who Was

Joel?Joel?

Not much is known about thisNot much is known about this

MessengerMessenger

Except he prophesied in JudeaExcept he prophesied in Judea

He left behind one of the mostHe left behind one of the most

elegant books in the OT with manyelegant books in the OT with manymemorable passagesmemorable passages

He was a an accomplished writerHe was a an accomplished writer


4/25


AnAn

OVER-VIEWOVER-VIEW


5/25

The Message: ItsThe Message: Its

CharacterCharacter A prominent feature its atmosphere:A prominent feature its atmosphere:

impending doomimpending doom why?why?

Something very important to tell of lastingSomething very important to tell of lastingsignificance:significance:

Make sure you tell your children!Make sure you tell your children!

Something terrible about to happenSomething terrible about to happen::My countrys being invaded!My countrys being invaded!

And theres no easy solution:And theres no easy solution:

Gods ministers dont know what to doGods ministers dont know what to doabout itabout it


6/25


CharacterCharacterThe focus of Joels thoughts comingThe focus of Joels thoughts comingjudgementjudgement

but who did he have in mind?but who did he have in mind?

It might have been his own country, JudahIt might have been his own country, Judah

It might have been all the surroundingIt might have been all the surrounding

nationsnationsIt most certainly applies to us today:It most certainly applies to us today:

The Christian West invaded by secularThe Christian West invaded by secular

forcesforces

Our Christian community pervaded byOur Christian community pervaded by


7/25


8/25


CharacterCharacterJoels ultimate vision renewalJoels ultimate vision renewal

of what?of what?

Restoration of our original way of lifeRestoration of our original way of lifeHes giving you a teacher to train youHes giving you a teacher to train you

how to live right,how to live right,

Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showersTeaching, like rain out of heaven, showersof words to refresh and nourish yourof words to refresh and nourish your

soul, just as he used to do.soul, just as he used to do.


9/25

The SymbolismThe Symbolism

TheThe

LOCUSTSLOCUSTS


10/25

The Locusts The Locusts AnAnInvadingInvading

ArmyArmy

A picture of the severity of the wrathA picture of the severity of the wrath

of God descending in judgementof God descending in judgement

The object of Gods wrath:The object of Gods wrath: first Judahfirst Judah

then a general future judgement all thethen a general future judgement all the

nations that pillaged Judah at the end ofnations that pillaged Judah at the end oftime?time?

NOTE: An example of prophetic foreshorteningNOTE: An example of prophetic foreshortening

(two future events spoken as one so the plague(two future events spoken as one so the plague


11/25


Its

BURDENBURDEN

(Thrust)(Thrust)


12/25

The Message: Its BurdenThe Message: Its Burden

(1)(1)

The first theme Gods judgementThe first theme Gods judgement

Devastating in executionDevastating in execution

A related theme How this judgementA related theme How this judgement

can be withdrawncan be withdrawn

God is ready to forgiveGod is ready to forgive

On what conditions?On what conditions?


13/25


(1)(1)

Gods forgivenessGods forgiveness

The condition for forgiveness - If people:The condition for forgiveness - If people:

TTruly repent andruly repent and

Show a genuine change of attitude &Show a genuine change of attitude &

behaviourbehaviour

The reasons for forgivenessThe reasons for forgiveness God is very mercifulGod is very merciful

Gods reputation is at stakeGods reputation is at stake


14/25


(2)(2)

A second theme a time of blessedA second theme a time of blessed

prosperityprosperity

But for whom?But for whom?

Literally, for his own people who repentLiterally, for his own people who repent

In Jerusalem there will be a great rescue.In Jerusalem there will be a great rescue.Ultimately, for all true believersUltimately, for all true believers

Whoever calls, Help, God! gets helpWhoever calls, Help, God! gets help


15/25


(2)(2)

A related theme spiritual revivalA related theme spiritual revival

But when?But when?

When the Spirit is poured out - at PentecostWhen the Spirit is poured out - at Pentecost

I will pour out my Spirit on every kind ofI will pour out my Spirit on every kind of

people.people.


16/25

Summary of JoelsSummary of Joels

MessageMessage

Joel calls out forJoel calls out for

national and personal humility andnational and personal humility and

repentancerepentanceand prophecies thatand prophecies that

destruction awaits the wickeddestruction awaits the wicked

on the Day of the Lordon the Day of the Lordbut the Spirits outpouring awaits thebut the Spirits outpouring awaits the

faithful.faithful.


17/25


ItsAPPLICATIONAPPLICATION


18/25

The Message: For UsThe Message: For Us

TodayToday

Stop and think aboutStop and think about

what kind of communitywhat kind of community

our Christian communityour Christian community

has become.has become.

When we see our own communityWhen we see our own community

pervaded bypervaded by

so much godless corruption....so much godless corruption....


19/25


TodayToday

....we must look at....we must look at

our own lives,our own lives,

repent ofrepent of

whatever is wrong in Gods eyes....whatever is wrong in Gods eyes....


20/25


TodayToday

....then call upon God....then call upon God

for helpfor help

making Himmaking Him

our hiding placeour hiding place

fromfrom

everything that would corrupt us....everything that would corrupt us....


21/25


TodayToday

...and ask for...and ask for

His Spirit to be poured into our lives,His Spirit to be poured into our lives,

so that He again becomesso that He again becomes

our God,our God,

directing all we think, say or do.directing all we think, say or do.


22/25


TodayToday

Then we will again enjoyThen we will again enjoy

all the spiritual and material blessingsall the spiritual and material blessings

that He has for us.that He has for us.


23/25

A Theological Frameworkfor The Message of Joel

Those who are ready to acknowledgeThose who are ready to acknowledge

the corruption within themselvesthe corruption within themselves (confess)(confess)

and call up the Lordand call up the Lord (repent)(repent)will find a safe hiding placewill find a safe hiding place (salvation)(salvation)

from all the turmoil around themfrom all the turmoil around them

(judgment)(judgment)and the Spirit of Godand the Spirit of God

will be poured into their liveswill be poured into their lives

(regeneration)(regeneration)


24/25

The Heart-Beat

Those who are ready toThose who are ready to

confess their sins and repentconfess their sins and repent

will find salvationwill find salvation

and be spared Gods terrible judgmentand be spared Gods terrible judgment

and instead will experience the Holy Spiritand instead will experience the Holy Spiritat work renewing their lives.at work renewing their lives.


25/25

Pr ayr ayth at th is ma yth at th is ma yhappenappen

to youto youand t o o th er s!nd t o o th er s!

17. the message of joel

Documents