Joel chapter 1 reminds me of the expression, “I’m going through a dry spell”. There are times in life when things don’t seem to go right. In sports they call it a slump. Sometimes though, it is just an excuse for being unwilling to change. In this very short book we read the words of a prophet Joel. The very common name ‘Joel’ means ‘Jehovah is God’. We know little about him and there is even debate about when it was written. We do know his name is a brief profession of faith. At its heart, this book is a warning to pay attention because there is a unique and specific event coming that he calls simply, “the day of the Lord”. He warns four different groups. First, “Hear this, you elders“. These are the experienced and trusted leaders that have accountability for the welfare of God’s people. He asks, “Has anything like this ever happened in your days?” This is not business as usual. Joel describes a “locust swarm” that has consumed all vegetation, “what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locustshave eaten“. Friend, are you aware of the needs of your people?Next Joel calls, “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!” These are the apathetic and irresponsible; those that try to escape caring. But there will be nothing to dull the pain, “the new wine… has been snatched from your lips… a mighty army without number… It has laid waste my vines“. This is a once in a lifetime pain, like a young lady “grieving for the betrothed of her youth“. Have you stopped caring?
Next Joel calls out, “Despair, you farmers… because the harvest of the field is destroyed“. These are the producers, the ones that find fulfillment in providing and building. They rely on themselves, but suddenly everything is gone. “The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the olive oil fails“. He concludes, “Surely the people’s joy is withered away“. Have you been seeking purpose in your own production?
Finally Joel calls, “you priests… mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar“. These are the religious servants; the ones that should be teaching the people God’s Word. We have a sense that they are very busy, but that they have done little to lead the people to honor God. He exhorts, “Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord“. Joel tells them, “For the day of the Lord is near“. This is not a day of rest; this is a day of action. God will take action, “it will come like destruction from the Almighty“. No more rituals or traditions or sacrifices, all of that has been removed. “Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes joy and gladness from the house of our God?” One day we will stand before the Lord stripped of every worldly thing. The excuses will be removed. I believe Philippians 2:11-12 describes that moment, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father“. For some, that will happen too late to escape judgment. Joel concludes with the solution to everyone that is going through a dry spell, “To you, Lord, I call“. Are you ready for the Day of the Lord? It may require some change!