We finished our Bible study on Joel tonight, looking at Joel 2:12-3:21. Joel issues a call to repentance – and a repentance that is heartfelt, not simply following the outward rituals of tearing garments. As we said last time, if we repent, there is the hope that God will relent (Joel 2:13-14). It appears from the later verses in Joel 2 that a period of time may have elapsed and Israel saw God’s healing and help. Certainly, one of the things that makes prophecy hard to understand is how there are various layers, referring to things at the present time of the prophet and also to things far off in the future. In Joel 2, God promises restoration (Joel 2:25-27) and the latter part of this chapter, quoted in Acts 2, shows a fulfilment far off in the future. It might have seemed incredible to think that God would pour out His Spirit on all people, rather than simply on prophets, priests and kings, but Peter was aware that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was the fulfilment of this prophecy, and we see in the various references to the ‘day of the Lord’ that there is a future judgment to come – a judgment that will be welcomed by those in right relationship with God who long to see justice restored but which will be dreadful for all who have spurned God.
We see how Joel brings warning and a call to repentance along with a sure knowledge of God’s nature and the hope of future restoration. The book ends with the words, ‘The Lord dwells in Zion’, a reminder that our long-term future is blessed by God’s presence. Joel 3:17-21 gives us imagery of abundance and blessing and hope. The Day of the Lord, when God intervenes in human history, can be seen to be a marvellous thing for those who live according to His righteousness. We can have hope ultimately because of the faithfulness and loving kindness of God.
