“…for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain in the first month.” Joel 2:23
Dear Ones:
The book of Joel, written in the 9th or 8th century before Christ, brings with it the themes of the other Old Testament prophets. Those themes seemingly always center on Israel, her privilege and her plight. She was chosen by God to be the nation through which the whole world would be blessed. That blessing consisted in the revelation of the God of truth, in truth. By that knowledge, man could come to know God, and the blessings which He would bestow, both spiritual and material. Such was the privilege of Israel, chosen to be the portion or heritage of the Lord. There came with that privilege the testimony of Israel’s plight, the often time turning aside from, and living for the true and living God. The result was that she, as a nation, brought upon herself incalculable suffering and misery, being often conquered by her adversaries, and experiencing the breathing of God upon her efforts and resources, not for blessing but to bring her to the conviction of her need. Joel speaks of these two aspects of Israel’s experience, and in particular of the God who is seeking to bring her back to that place of “certain good,” where He can truly, eternally bless her. In the middle of Joel’s book we find the Lord’s word’s to Israel: “..’Now’…saith the Lord, ‘turn ye even to me with all your heart’…’rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God.'” (2:12,13) The ultimate reason and motive for which Joel pleads with the people, seeking to awaken them to a new, and living hope, in their plight is this: “…For He (the Lord your God) is gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil. Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing?” (v.13,14) Directly in the middle of Joel’s message to the people is the clear and concise revelation of the God of Israel, who, in spite of her actions, has never changed. Herein is great hope, that He WILL return…and bless. So, in God’s dealings with Israel at this time, in light of what He will do six hundred years later in Jerusalem, what is His method, and what will He do, both then and now?
The first thing is for the trumpet to be blown in Zion, the calling for a fast, and a solemn assembly. Why? Essential to begin the message of God’s intent of visiting His people again, and blessing them, is to gain their attention, not only for a moment but going forward. The trumpet might alert them to the event of God speaking, but the fast is a commitment to truly seek God for His certain intervention. After revealing to the people what God will do with their enemies, there comes a promise of God, one designed to give to them hope. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord will do GREAT THINGS.” (2:21) These “great things” are revealed in the illustration of rain, the former rain given moderately, and the latter rain. The first rain is needful to plant the seed. The second one is essential for the plant, and crop, to grow. The promised result of such rain is overflowing abundance in food, wine, and oil. There is the promise of satisfaction, because of plenty. However, there is a greater blessing, one that shall extend and be fully realized on the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ death. This spiritual “outpouring” is that of the Spirit, “..upon all flesh,” the very blessing of Abraham upon all nations. The certain result, will be the prophesying, or proclamation, of the truth of God, and His provision for the eternal salvation of men. In the forty-fourth chapter of Isaiah, we find the same principle, practice, and power of God revealed. “I will pour water on him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground.” (v. 3)
Dear Father, Pour Thy Spirit upon us this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad