THE DAY OF THE LORD! Although this episode is twenty minutes in length it provides the listener with a full reading of the Book of Joel's telling of the Day of the LORD! The purpose is to warn Judah of God's impending judgment because of their sins and to urge them to turn back to God. The author was writing to the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, and God's people everywhere. This is believed to have been written during the time in which Joel prophesied.
The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they had turned to self-centeredness, idolatry, and sin. Joel warned them that this kind of lifestyle would inevitably bring down God's judgment.
Joel begins by describing a terrible plague of locusts that covers the land and devours the crops. The devastation wrought by these creatures is but a foretaste of the coming judgment of God, the "day of the LORD". Joel, therefore, urges the people to turn from their sins and turn back to God. Woven into this message of judgment and the need for repentance is an affirmation of God's kindness and the blessings he promises for all who follow him. In fact, "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (2:32).
As you read Joel, catch his vision of the power and might of God and of God's ultimate judgment of sin. Choose to follow, obey, and worship God alone as your sovereign LORD.
My question to you do you think, with all that is currently taking place in our world today self-centeredness, idolatry, sin, wars and rumors of war, hatred, COVID, and of the extra? Are we soon to face another THE DAY OF THE LORD?
When time permits, read the book of Joel, or listen to The Church Within You! podcast's reading of the three chapters of this book.
As always, blessings.
Elder Barbara,
Presiding Elder The Church Within YOU!
The Life Application Bible
