Joel calls for the priests and ministers specifically to lament. But the problems described affect all people so I would say, “Lament O people!” God’s judgment has just been described. The crops have failed. The grapes, figs, and the grain are specifically mentioned. Grapes and figs are ‘treats’, but the grain is the bread for […]
We meet the prophet, Joel. Through imagery, he calls Judah back to God in a time of great calamity. He seems especially focused on locust. Little is known about the prophet Joel. We have his father’s name but nothing else definitive about him. No tribal affiliation. No job reference. Not even a clear picture of […]
God does not want to punish Israel. He wants her to return to Him. “Please return so you will be safe!” Even after everything Israel has done, God STILL calls out to them to return. He calls for them to leave their sin and come back to Him. HE is the prodigal’s father, waiting by […]
Israel is HEAVY with guilt from her sins that she refuses to give up. They have rejected God and rejected His salvation. I was curious why God kept referring to Ephraim with Israel’s troubles. I discovered that the main golden calf was located in Bethel, which is in the territory of Ephraim. There was a […]
It’s settled. God STILL loves Israel and Judah. He will not wipe them out. But their sins are written down in an indictment. It MUST be satisfied. God takes us back through a brief look at Israel’s history. Of the times that He spoke or met with them. Abraham is the father of the nation […]
