"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 17 December 2012, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."
Today's Blog Title: "The Day of the LORD"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-32
Today's Key Verse: Joel 2:1 "Blow 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 is coming, Fir it is at hand."
The "trumpet" was used primarily for religious purposes to call the congregation together for meetings, to usher in the beginning of the month and to note solemn days and festive occasions. In this instance, it is to used to "alarm" the people to the seriousness of the crisis that it upon them.
The locusts have the appearance of warhorses, and sound "like the noise of chariots" as they go about their destruction. No natural barrier can contain them because "they leap." The prophet's vivid description of the invaders, and his analogy with the locust swarm, do fit the Assyrian military machine that crushed the North and punished Judah not long after Joel's time. War, for all its terrors, is but a pale reflection of divine judgment that awaits those who refuse to respond to Him.
One of the great truths affirmed by Joel, is that it is not to late to appeal to God until it is to late. Joel appeals to his people, as we appeal today. Judgment is coming. But "even now" turn to the Lord.
The customary way a Jew showed his grief was to tear his outer "garment." This external sign could be meaningless, because the tearing of the outer garment is useless, unless the "heart" is broken in repentance. In verse 14, God is immutable and does not change. This verse sets forth the possible results of revival and repentance from man's point of view. When men and woman change, they are aware of the change in themselves, and view the it as a change from God.
In verses 15-17, this is the second invitation to "blow the trumpet in Zion." It summons the whole nation to an assembly of repentance in order to implore God's mercy. God cares so much for His people that He is moved to action, not only to punish when sin interrupts His fellowship with His beloved people, but also to bless them when they are responsive to Him.
The Biblical concept, that God is a jealous God protects us from the view of some that God is distant, detached, unmoved by either our sins or our troubles. God does care intensely about us, and how we live our lives.
The "northern army" in verse 20, seems to parallel Ezekiel 38-39. It may suggest, that now Joel is speaking of the invader, prophesied to attack Israel in history's final battle. God owes us no repayment, for the years we waste in sin, or the suffering we experience under judgment. But God does repay us so richly, when we trust in Him, that we feel nothing has been lost. What a gracious and loving God we serve.
The heavenly wonders described here, will take place before the "great and awesome day of the LORD," which is an apparent reference to the end times. "Smoke and blood" corresponds with Revelation 8:7-8. "Smoke" corresponds with Revelation 9:18. "Darkness" corresponds with Revelation 8:12, and "Moon into blood" corresponds with Revelation 6:12.
Verse 32, tells us that anyone who "calls on the Name of the LORD" that is, repents and believes, will be "saved" from the judgment that will fall on the wicked and unbelieving. Peter in the New Testament, in Acts 2:21, tells the Jewish people this same passage from Joel 2:32.
Click on the link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Exodus 20:15.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Always remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Day of the LORD"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-32
Today's Key Verse: Joel 2:1 "Blow 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 is coming, Fir it is at hand."
The "trumpet" was used primarily for religious purposes to call the congregation together for meetings, to usher in the beginning of the month and to note solemn days and festive occasions. In this instance, it is to used to "alarm" the people to the seriousness of the crisis that it upon them.
The locusts have the appearance of warhorses, and sound "like the noise of chariots" as they go about their destruction. No natural barrier can contain them because "they leap." The prophet's vivid description of the invaders, and his analogy with the locust swarm, do fit the Assyrian military machine that crushed the North and punished Judah not long after Joel's time. War, for all its terrors, is but a pale reflection of divine judgment that awaits those who refuse to respond to Him.
One of the great truths affirmed by Joel, is that it is not to late to appeal to God until it is to late. Joel appeals to his people, as we appeal today. Judgment is coming. But "even now" turn to the Lord.
The customary way a Jew showed his grief was to tear his outer "garment." This external sign could be meaningless, because the tearing of the outer garment is useless, unless the "heart" is broken in repentance. In verse 14, God is immutable and does not change. This verse sets forth the possible results of revival and repentance from man's point of view. When men and woman change, they are aware of the change in themselves, and view the it as a change from God.
In verses 15-17, this is the second invitation to "blow the trumpet in Zion." It summons the whole nation to an assembly of repentance in order to implore God's mercy. God cares so much for His people that He is moved to action, not only to punish when sin interrupts His fellowship with His beloved people, but also to bless them when they are responsive to Him.
The Biblical concept, that God is a jealous God protects us from the view of some that God is distant, detached, unmoved by either our sins or our troubles. God does care intensely about us, and how we live our lives.
The "northern army" in verse 20, seems to parallel Ezekiel 38-39. It may suggest, that now Joel is speaking of the invader, prophesied to attack Israel in history's final battle. God owes us no repayment, for the years we waste in sin, or the suffering we experience under judgment. But God does repay us so richly, when we trust in Him, that we feel nothing has been lost. What a gracious and loving God we serve.
The heavenly wonders described here, will take place before the "great and awesome day of the LORD," which is an apparent reference to the end times. "Smoke and blood" corresponds with Revelation 8:7-8. "Smoke" corresponds with Revelation 9:18. "Darkness" corresponds with Revelation 8:12, and "Moon into blood" corresponds with Revelation 6:12.
Verse 32, tells us that anyone who "calls on the Name of the LORD" that is, repents and believes, will be "saved" from the judgment that will fall on the wicked and unbelieving. Peter in the New Testament, in Acts 2:21, tells the Jewish people this same passage from Joel 2:32.
Click on the link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Exodus 20:15.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Always remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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