The Prophet Joel

In this week's article, I want to focus just a little on the prophet Joel.  As a prophet, he was a spokesman for God; he brought a message to the people from the Lord.  You will recall that the nation of Israel split into 2 parts: the northern kingdom, Israel, and the southern kingdom, Judah.  The north kept following idols and got further and further away from God; thus, God allowed them to be taken into captivity to the Assyrian Empire, never to return again to their homeland.  The southern kingdom, Judah, had periods of failing, but also periods of following God.  Therefore, the Lord allowed them time to get their act together.  Eventually, the southern kingdom of Judah failed the Lord and ended up in Babylonian captivity.  The Lord did allow a remnant to return at a later date to rebuild. 

Joel did his work, his prophesying, to the nation of Judah, apparently after the fall of Israel.  One of the significant statements made by him is recorded in Joel 2, beginning in verse 27.  He speaks here of a time to come when God will "pour out My Spirit in those days."  If we did not have further instruction as the the meaning of this, we couldn't be sure of what Joel was saying.  But the Bible is very clear on this meaning, since it is quoted over in the NT, in Acts chapter 2. 

Acts 2 tells of the occurrences soon after Jesus has left this world, ascended into heaven.  Peter stands with the other apostles and delivers the first gospel sermon.  This is one of the most fateful days in the history of the world.  Standing here in Jerusalem, the apostles kick off the beginnings of the church; the church for which Jesus died.  This is the day of which the prophet Joel was speaking; Listen to the words of Peter as he quotes Joel and makes this famous speech:
     Acts 2:16:  "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  'and it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dram dreams.  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire and vapor of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.  And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "

In this same speech, Peter quotes king David twice and concludes by telling these Jewish people that they have crucified the Messiah, the very Messiah that they had been waiting on.  Verse 27, "...when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'  The Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' "

The prophet Joel played a key role in foretelling the coming events, events to occur in the "last days." 

Ok, enough for now.  Have a great week....and thanks for reading!