“…For He (God) is gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil? Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him? Joel 2:13,14
There are many subjects, circumstances, and questions of eternal significance which only have their answer in the question, “What if?” Why? It is because one cannot fully know God, for He is known in the measure that He chooses to reveal Himself in the Scriptures and by the testimony of Christ’s life manifested in His church, and every member of His body.
In the book of Joel, the author speaks of “the day of the Lord.” (1:15) This day is significant because the Lord makes it clear that it will come as “…a destruction from the Almighty.” The message through the prophet Joel to the people is very singular, and powerful: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” (2:1) In the book of Jonah, we find a similar situation, but this time it is not concerning Jerusalem, but the capital of the Assyrian empire, Nineveh. We find the Lord giving to both Joel, for Jerusalem, and Jonah, for Nineveh a message. It is one which speaks of coming judgment, and destruction, because of the sinfulness of the peoples of both nations. That which is also similar is the appeal by God through the prophets that the respective people repent from their sins, and turn to the Lord. This was not to be a turning from an outward appearance, as tearing a garment, but a rending of the heart. It is then that both Jonah and Joel reveal something to us concerning God. Jonah, who did not want the Ninevites to repent, and be saved, said this to the Lord: “…for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil.” (Jonah 4:2) Joel wrote similarly, “…for He (God) is gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest him of the evil.” (Joel 2:13) Both men are faced with a calamity that is coming, certain destruction if there is not a turning to God. And both men are also faced with an incomprehensible God who can, and desires to turn from judgement, convey His forgiveness and cleansing, deferring His judgement, and to bless. Joel and Jonah do NOT know that choice, unless God reveals it to them. The question then arises, in light of the reaction of the people, as to what God will do: What if, in the unseen recesses of the heart of a people, or a person, there is a true turning to God for mercy? What will God do? Both men appeal to their knowledge of who God is, and this, irrespective of mankind. For both men, God is forever gracious, merciful, of great kindness. This gives reason to hope in the incomprehensible God, believing in that fact of His mercy and grace, and longsuffering. What if… God forgives, choosing not to bring judgment, but instead, enormous blessing.
In the history of Israel, after she had suffered greatly for her sin, having tasted the bitterness of God’s displeasure for that sin, Scripture tells us that God spoke through Isaiah the prophet a very unusual message. It was one of “comfort,” and consolation, one declaring to Jerusalem that, her “warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (Is. 40:1) At that point, there seems to be a pause in her history and the promise of a new beginning, if she will believe it, and be committed to follow the Lord. From consolation, to the declaration of a new beginning, to the unveiling of the means of the new beginning, the gracious, merciful God would accomplish Joel’s “pouring out the Spirit upon all flesh,” and Isaiah’s “pouring water” upon the thirsty soul.
Dear Father, Fill our vision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.