JOEL

MP3 course 9th April 2011

IntroductionGoing deep in the book of Joel is essential for the Body of Christ today because of the undeniable relevance of its message for the critical hour of history in which we are living. Although we are not yet in this crisis, it is only moments away (possibly several decades).

Joel lived during the golden period of King Uzziah’s 52 years extended rule. His was the time of great expansion in every aspect: militarily, administratively, commercially, and economically.

Traditionally called the "Prophet of Pentecost," since his prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit (2:28ff.) is quoted by Peter (Acts 2:16) as being fulfilled at Pentecost, Joel was the kind of man who could see the eternal in the temporal. The occasion of his message was a devastating locust plague, which he interpreted as foreboding the Day of the Lord when God would act directly to punish His people for their sins. Joel calls upon the people of Judah to repent, promising that repentance will bring God’s blessings, material and spiritual.

Timeline Map (830 – 750 BC)

 

Understanding of Joel’s time

Overview of Joel’s Message1. Joel 1 – a natural disaster (agricultural crisis)2. Joel 2:1-11 – a military crisis (Babylonian invasion of Israel as a type of the Antichrist’s empire)3. Joel 2:12-17 – the response that God requires in order to release protection and blessing4. Joel 2:18-31 – the breakthrough of God’s blessing (agriculturally, militarily, spiritually)5. Joel 3 – God’s punishment of His enemies (end-time Gentile nations attacking Israel)

Five of the 19 explicit references to the “day of the Lord” in the Old Testament are found in this short book (1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14).

His predictions, prophesying were for the people of his time but most happened 100 years later (Babylon), at Pentecostal, 70AD, 400AD, During Quakers time, Revival movement in 1967 etc and finally in Revelation book

FAQ - 1Question #1: If God is a God of love, why will He allow this?• The most common question that God’s people grapple with is: How can a

God of love allow and even raise up evil nations to be the rod of discipline? It was this tension that Habakkuk wrestled through when he cried to the Lord, “Why do You look on those who deal treacherously [Babylonian armies], and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Hab. 1:13).

• In essence Habakkuk prayed, “Lord, how can You say that You are righteous when You use the evil nation of Babylon to judge rebellious Israel who is not as wicked?”

• Answer #1: The answer is found in understanding God’s heart. The God of love has no contradiction in His personality when He brings judgment to stop rebellious nations from oppressing people and to wake them up spiritually so that they may also be saved. His goal is to remove everything that hinders love, because of His all-consuming love. God’s judgments result in people learning righteousness (Isa. 26:9).

FAQ - 2

Question #2: What can the righteous do to stop or minimize God’s judgment?

• I sought for a man among them who would … stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it. (Ezek. 22:30)

• If My people … will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

• (2 Chr. 7:14)What role are we the saints to play in this drama?

• Answer #2: It has to do with our God-given role as intercessors as Joel describes (Joel 2:12-17). God calls us to stand in the gap and ask Him to remove, or at least minimize, His judgments (Joel 2:13-14).

FAQ - 3

Question #3: What do the righteous say and do before and after God’s judgments?

• What do we say before and after these judgments occur? What do we call people to do?

• Answer #3: A careful study of the book of Joel gives us answers. God has answers to these questions and He will strengthen His people with understanding about Himself. Such knowledge will settle the human heart in the time of crisis. As Isaiah said, “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times…” (Isa. 33:6).

Uniqueness about Joel1. First of all minor prophet2. First one to discern curse even within

prosperity3. One to call all sect of society to repent

including Priests, Elders and Children4. First one to reveal that God will pour out

His Spirit up on everyone5. We see 15 prophets came after him didn’t

talk about the pouring of Spirit, except Isaiah talked a close one (Isa 44:3 I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants)

Day of the Lord-The difference between the day of the Lord and Last days?-Peter talks about in the Last Days God will pour out Acts 2:17, was it a true last days or the day of the Lord-There were many days of the Lord to reveal His Glory and Dislikes. A constant communication through His servants to handle(balance) the situation-Is he continuing?

ConclusionThis is exactly what had happened during Joel’s time. Much of their time was spent in merrymaking and drinking orgies as Joel tells them, “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips” (1:5).The Spiritual Condition? What does material prosperity bring? Spiritual poverty and religious formalism.Is it possible to bring the attention of the people who are fainted in enjoyment of life?“The most uncomfortable place for a Christian is the comfortable place”

DiscussionDiscussion:-During Joel’s period there was prosperity, peace, offering, rituals and celebration were normal.-Then what was the problem Joel was addressing? Was it a true message of God or Joel understood it wrong-How did Joel handled the situation?-What if you see Joel kind of prophet how will you discern the true message of God?-Is there any similarity in today’s situation where any man of God can address?

Discussion

• Spiritual dryness?• What we do and What we have!• Camouflaged spiritual situation• Is there anything within you which God is not

please even your life seems fine?

Revivals of the history-Searching for inward peace and convinced something missing in the worship-Join as group of people who practiced similar Christian faith-Knowing Scripture so well with the help of Holy Spirit-Often called as radical and criticized by the society-A restlessness and fearlessness until flow out what is within