Joel 1-3

Joel is an interesting book that displays the judgment of the Lord and the coming of his wrath.  Punishment will come to Israel for their sin and their worship of false idols.  We see this concept of the "Day of the Lord", which is actually seen in different parts of scripture and actually means different things in the context of when it is written.  The commonality of the term "Day of the Lord" means that God is going to reveal himself and his nature through some sort of action.  In the case of Joel, it is the judgment that will come for sin and also that he will one day return to his people to establish them and even pour out more of himself to them in the form of his Spirit (seen in Joel 2). 

The judgement in this case comes in the form of people coming from the north (probably referring to the Assyrians) that will one day conquer them before they are conquered by the nation of Babylon.  Also, it is clear that God will not relent from destroying their crops, livestock, and general livelihood in their judgement.  Also the imagery in Chapter 2 is very similar to the exile of their land like Adam and Eve's exile from Eden.  Sin has caused this and the inheritance and gifts they were intended to enjoy in reflection of God would be taken away.  The nature of God's judgement on sin and hatred for the lack of worship and affection to him is something that the Lord hates.  This is very clear.

The nature of God is also declared in this "Day of the Lord" because he offers and displays his desire for repentance.  The entire concept of repentance is for them to turn away from their wickedness and lack of living out the reflection of God and then returning back to the Lord in order that he would be worshiped as he deserves.  God's nature of mercy, forgiveness, and slowness to anger are also displayed in his desire for repentance.  It is even said in this passage that God would even turn away from his anger and judgement for true and authentic repentance.  He will relent his wrath and he will save his people, and not only that, he will give the people himself in the form of his Spirit. 

With all of that information being given to you, what does this tell us about God and why is it relevant to our lives in relation to Christ?  Well, first of all we see God hates sin.  He desires for repentance and for his people to authentically follow, obey, and reflect him to the world.  The call is to turn away from your old ways and return to him as you were intended.  God also desire to give you himself and desires for to be saved from this wrath.  The wrath that will brought to Israel is only a picture of the wrath that God has on sin in general and that he will enact judgement upon the people for these actions.  When we read these passages, regardless of our complete knowledge of context and history, it is clearly seen that God desires people to repent from old ways and to obey him and follow his ways in order to reflect him.

To end this, I want to focus on the picture in Joel 2 of the pouring of God's Spirit.  If you look at this portion, we see that this is the exact quotation from Peter in his sermon on the day of Pentecost.  Peter quotes this passage in stating that the true fulfillment of this has happened at that time.  When God truly revealed himself through the coming of his Son, making the greatest and only way to true repentance in the name and power of Jesus Christ.  God then gives his Spirit to his people and reveals himself by giving his people more of himself.  This repentance to the Lord is only possible with and through God through the work and power of Jesus Christ through the resurrection.  What a beautiful fulfillment of God's revelation of himself in the writing of Joel, which is fully completed through Jesus Christ.  So, my response and challenge to you is repent.  Do not stop repenting.  Continue in repentance, because it is only possible through the power of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.  Then, we can continually be the reflection of God to the world.  In that truth, we can experience his love, his mercy, his long suffering, and his nature because of Jesus.  God his a Father and he is pleased with himself.  That is why God gives himself through his Spirit to his Children.  That same Spirit is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and gives life to your mortal bodies.