Unlike the other prophets, Joel doesn't say who was King when he gave this message. According to www.gotquestions.org, (thank you Google!) it was between 835 and 800 BC, which would have put him with King Joash.
Joel starts off describing an "army" of locusts sent by God to destroy Judah for their sin. The images clearly present it as war and an attack. Joel then states that they cannot fight with regular weapons, but that the way to fight back, or defend themselves, is to turn back to God with broken hearts (2:13). God says: "I am merciful, kind and caring. I don't easily lose my temper, and I don't like to punish."
Joel does not acknowledge whether or not the the people turned back to God (we know they did not turn back permanently), but in 2:18, Joel says: "The Lord was deeply concerned about his land and had pity on his people." Then, in answer to their prayers, he made some promises. First, he promised to satisfy their needs (2:19); second, to defend their reputation (2:19); third, to rid them of the army of locusts that attacked and send them off to rot in the desert (2:20); fourth, he will restore what the locusts destroyed (2:25).
God then makes more promises that seem to apply to his people centuries later. I'm not a big prophesy buff, and in all my studies and learning in church, this next piece is applied to the church, beginning with Acts 2. Joel 2:28-29 -- "Later, I will give my Spirit to everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will even give my Spirit to my servants, both men and women." The passage goes on to speak of judgment on those who persecuted God's people and that he will protect and restore them.
At this point, I'm not as concerned about the intended audience for the outpouring and the judgment. Instead, I'm struck by a couple other things.
1. Sincere repentance is what God wants from us. Judah was not encouraged to invent a bug spray to get rid of the locusts. If they repented, God will take care of them.
2. God will accomplish what he promised. He promised to turn his people back to him, to restore the damage caused by his judgment, and to bless even more.
3. "I will even give my Spirit to my servants, both men and women." God envisioned a future where he would give his Spirit to both men and women. I guess he was depicting how freely he wanted to bless his people, because in Joel's day, it would have been just to men. Why is it that we limit God? On Israel Houghton's new CD, he sings a song entitled "Take the limits off." It is written as if God were singing it, asking us to take the limits off him that we put on him. We expect him to work one way, but he wants to do blow away our expectations.
My brother-in-law was stuck in Toronto on Friday evening due to his flights from the Ivory Coast getting re-routed all over the map. We went to the "Outback," ate huge steaks, and talked about what God was doing in his life and he encouraged me as well. Simply put, God wants to do so more much than what we expect him to do. He had two words more me, and I think it applies to the church as a whole - "Get Ready."
Bring it on.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Hosea
Hosea and his message were around well before Judah's exile, during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, which means he was a contemporary of Isaiah. God really was trying to get his message through, given he had two prophets speaking for him during the same time.
Hosea's life was a role play. God told him to marry someone, who would seem to be unfaithful, to represent Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Even her children were named to represent messages from God - "Jezreel" represented imminent punishment, "Lo-Ruhamah" represented God withdrawing his mercy and "Lo-Ammi" represented Israel not being his.
The message, of course, we've heard before. The priests are not following God and are abusing their positions. Israel is proud. But in the midst, we see glimpses of what God wants from us. 6:6 - "I'd rather for you to be faithful and know me than to offer sacrifices." 12:6 - "So return to your God. Patiently trust him and show love and justice."
Hosea was a different prophet, with different methods, saying the same thing to Israel - God desperately wanted to be in relationship with them. All they had to do was turn from their ways and turn to him.
Hosea's life was a role play. God told him to marry someone, who would seem to be unfaithful, to represent Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Even her children were named to represent messages from God - "Jezreel" represented imminent punishment, "Lo-Ruhamah" represented God withdrawing his mercy and "Lo-Ammi" represented Israel not being his.
The message, of course, we've heard before. The priests are not following God and are abusing their positions. Israel is proud. But in the midst, we see glimpses of what God wants from us. 6:6 - "I'd rather for you to be faithful and know me than to offer sacrifices." 12:6 - "So return to your God. Patiently trust him and show love and justice."
Hosea was a different prophet, with different methods, saying the same thing to Israel - God desperately wanted to be in relationship with them. All they had to do was turn from their ways and turn to him.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Daniel
Yesterday morning I arrived at my appointment at Denny's 45 minutes early. I brought along my Bible, anticipating the extra time, and cracked open Daniel in the parking lot. I'm not sure about how the order of books were determined in the Bible. Daniel was around before Ezekiel, accroding to the reference point of King Jehoiakim (Ezekiel's reference was Jehoiachin, who was after Jehoiakin). Ezekiel used a person names Daniel as an illustration, so it might be this Daniel.
Daniel was in Babylon durign the reign of King Nebuchadnezzer, King Belshazzer, King Darius and even King Cyrus. Specific examples are given as to how God had Daniel rise to prominent positions and showed His glory, even while in exile under their reigns. God made Daniel wise, and he and three others were protected because they obeyed God. I recalled promises God made that I read several books ago, that even in the land of their enemies, after they would be exiled, He would not forget the promise He made to them. It's neat to see that being fulfilled here.
The first half of Daniel is a narrative. The last half consists of Daniel's dreams and visions he had during the various kingships. Each vision was written with the explanation, but the explanation is as cryptic as the dream itself (in my mind). I find it odd that a couple of times God told Daniel not to tell anyone his dreams and visions, yet here I am reading about them. Then, in 12:9, it says "Daniel, go about your business, because the meanign of this message will remain secret until the end of time." That made me not feel so bad about not understanding it.
I think the thing that stands out in my mind after reflecting on Daniel is captured in these two passages:
2:21 - "You control human events - you give rulers their power and take it away, and you are the source of wisdom and knowledge."
4:17b - "It will show to all who live that God Most High controls all kingdoms and chooses for their rulers persons of humble birth."
God was calling the shots in Babylon. It seems that they were more receptive to his directioon than his own people. Then, the last verse contains God's promise to Daniel. "So, Daniel, be faithful unto the end! You will rest, and at the end of time, you will rise from death to receive your reward."
Daniel was in Babylon durign the reign of King Nebuchadnezzer, King Belshazzer, King Darius and even King Cyrus. Specific examples are given as to how God had Daniel rise to prominent positions and showed His glory, even while in exile under their reigns. God made Daniel wise, and he and three others were protected because they obeyed God. I recalled promises God made that I read several books ago, that even in the land of their enemies, after they would be exiled, He would not forget the promise He made to them. It's neat to see that being fulfilled here.
The first half of Daniel is a narrative. The last half consists of Daniel's dreams and visions he had during the various kingships. Each vision was written with the explanation, but the explanation is as cryptic as the dream itself (in my mind). I find it odd that a couple of times God told Daniel not to tell anyone his dreams and visions, yet here I am reading about them. Then, in 12:9, it says "Daniel, go about your business, because the meanign of this message will remain secret until the end of time." That made me not feel so bad about not understanding it.
I think the thing that stands out in my mind after reflecting on Daniel is captured in these two passages:
2:21 - "You control human events - you give rulers their power and take it away, and you are the source of wisdom and knowledge."
4:17b - "It will show to all who live that God Most High controls all kingdoms and chooses for their rulers persons of humble birth."
God was calling the shots in Babylon. It seems that they were more receptive to his directioon than his own people. Then, the last verse contains God's promise to Daniel. "So, Daniel, be faithful unto the end! You will rest, and at the end of time, you will rise from death to receive your reward."
Monday, February 20, 2006
Ezekiel
I had to help out with audio at church yesterday - both services. The youth were away on a retreat, and the regular sound guy was gone, as was the person that typically subbed in for him. Before church on Sunday morning, I decided that I could either spend the time between the services reading Ezekiel or going to see a movie. Ezekiel won.
Yesterday morning our pastor shared from James and his application was about how to do your own personal Bible Study. Essentially, what I'm doing here, reading a book at a time, goes against his suggested method of going sentence by sentence and meditating on what it means to me.
Then, last night, the youth arrived back. The youth pastor had some of them share their experience at the retreat. Their testimonies became a first hand illustration to me of how Ezekiel must have felt. God did something real in their lives, and they could not find words to express it. And I know that God spoke to me last summer and started me on this trek; although it might not make sense to others, I know I'm reading the way I need to read it.
Ezekial gets right into it. All of his visions, messages and experience here takes place after Israel had been taken away to Babylon. Each of his 'episodes' begin with a reference to time after King Jehoiachin was led away to Bablyon as prisoner. They are not necessarily listed chronologically, but neither was Jeremiah. Why start now? That said, the narrative ended for me in a chronological sense a few books ago. I find myself referencing Kings and Chronicles to get back in the time period and get my head in the right place.
God spoke to Ezekiel in some seriously, crazy visions and in direct messages. The visions were such that Ezekiel said "I saw what looked like..." He couldn't even articulate for sure what he saw, I guess because he had not seen anything like it before. I mean, four creatures, each with four faces (human, lion, bull and eagle) on each side of their head and wings. And a wheel that moved in every direction without turning? At the end of his first recorded vision, he says "I realized I was seeing the brightness of the the Lord's glory!" Seemingly inexplicable.
God's direct messages were also extreme. He had Ezekiel act things out, role play, so that Israel might see it and understand. On of the first such incidents had Ezekiel lying on his left side for 390 days, then switching to his right side for 40 days. In some cases, Ezekiel explained what he was doing.
Ezekiel is full of messages of doom, not just to Israel, but also to other countries that had not supported, or even attacked or made fun of, Israel. God gave Ezekiel a huge and lengthy message for Egypt. Also, God used extreme images of sexual promiscuity to explain how Israel had turned from him.
Pockets of promise and encouragement are also contained within it. If someone turns from their sin and worships the Lord, they will be forgiven. Children will not be punished for their parents sins, if they personally turn from sinning. On the flip side, if a person was righteous, but turned to sin, they would be punished. God states here more than once (i.e., 18:23) that he does not like seeing the wicked die, but would rather see them turn to him.
The visions and places God takes Ezekiel are really something else: dead, dried bones coming back to life, the four creatures, the man made of fire, shepherds and sheep and the vision of the future temple. Ezekiel was toured around the new temple. His tour guide had a 'measuring stick.' He records in very clear detail what he saw. It was perfect. Squares. I never appreciated the first vision Ezekiel had of the four creatures with four faces each. This morning as I think about it, I see the theme carried over - four equal beings at the beginning, then a temple constructed as a square - four equal measurements used throughout. This must have been the picture of a perfect temple for Ezekiel. God revelation of himself to Ezekiel mirrored the building - perfect. At least, that's what I'm seeing.
A few times God reiterates his promise to bring Israel back together. He also refers to how they treated the poor, the widows and orphans to illustrate had bad they were as a society, all common themes that have struck me as I've been reading.
My pastor told me it took him two years to get through Ezekiel. I read it in a couple hours. I'm sure I've missed things, and I'll get them later when I come back to Ezekiel. However, the picture of a perfect God, who is willing to forgive people who have sinned against him an wants to be in realtionship with his people, who will not renege on his promise, who wants to take care of the poor and needy and who will ultimately ensure his original promise will be carried out, well, that's a lot to take in for now.
Yesterday morning our pastor shared from James and his application was about how to do your own personal Bible Study. Essentially, what I'm doing here, reading a book at a time, goes against his suggested method of going sentence by sentence and meditating on what it means to me.
Then, last night, the youth arrived back. The youth pastor had some of them share their experience at the retreat. Their testimonies became a first hand illustration to me of how Ezekiel must have felt. God did something real in their lives, and they could not find words to express it. And I know that God spoke to me last summer and started me on this trek; although it might not make sense to others, I know I'm reading the way I need to read it.
Ezekial gets right into it. All of his visions, messages and experience here takes place after Israel had been taken away to Babylon. Each of his 'episodes' begin with a reference to time after King Jehoiachin was led away to Bablyon as prisoner. They are not necessarily listed chronologically, but neither was Jeremiah. Why start now? That said, the narrative ended for me in a chronological sense a few books ago. I find myself referencing Kings and Chronicles to get back in the time period and get my head in the right place.
God spoke to Ezekiel in some seriously, crazy visions and in direct messages. The visions were such that Ezekiel said "I saw what looked like..." He couldn't even articulate for sure what he saw, I guess because he had not seen anything like it before. I mean, four creatures, each with four faces (human, lion, bull and eagle) on each side of their head and wings. And a wheel that moved in every direction without turning? At the end of his first recorded vision, he says "I realized I was seeing the brightness of the the Lord's glory!" Seemingly inexplicable.
God's direct messages were also extreme. He had Ezekiel act things out, role play, so that Israel might see it and understand. On of the first such incidents had Ezekiel lying on his left side for 390 days, then switching to his right side for 40 days. In some cases, Ezekiel explained what he was doing.
Ezekiel is full of messages of doom, not just to Israel, but also to other countries that had not supported, or even attacked or made fun of, Israel. God gave Ezekiel a huge and lengthy message for Egypt. Also, God used extreme images of sexual promiscuity to explain how Israel had turned from him.
Pockets of promise and encouragement are also contained within it. If someone turns from their sin and worships the Lord, they will be forgiven. Children will not be punished for their parents sins, if they personally turn from sinning. On the flip side, if a person was righteous, but turned to sin, they would be punished. God states here more than once (i.e., 18:23) that he does not like seeing the wicked die, but would rather see them turn to him.
The visions and places God takes Ezekiel are really something else: dead, dried bones coming back to life, the four creatures, the man made of fire, shepherds and sheep and the vision of the future temple. Ezekiel was toured around the new temple. His tour guide had a 'measuring stick.' He records in very clear detail what he saw. It was perfect. Squares. I never appreciated the first vision Ezekiel had of the four creatures with four faces each. This morning as I think about it, I see the theme carried over - four equal beings at the beginning, then a temple constructed as a square - four equal measurements used throughout. This must have been the picture of a perfect temple for Ezekiel. God revelation of himself to Ezekiel mirrored the building - perfect. At least, that's what I'm seeing.
A few times God reiterates his promise to bring Israel back together. He also refers to how they treated the poor, the widows and orphans to illustrate had bad they were as a society, all common themes that have struck me as I've been reading.
My pastor told me it took him two years to get through Ezekiel. I read it in a couple hours. I'm sure I've missed things, and I'll get them later when I come back to Ezekiel. However, the picture of a perfect God, who is willing to forgive people who have sinned against him an wants to be in realtionship with his people, who will not renege on his promise, who wants to take care of the poor and needy and who will ultimately ensure his original promise will be carried out, well, that's a lot to take in for now.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Lamentations
I didn't do too bad. I was hoping to get to Lamentations before the end of January - it's only February 5. The title "Lamentations" gives away the book - it's the writer is lamenting, or mourning, the collapse of Israel. It's onle five chapters, so I think I'll just note the texts I highlighted as I read.
2:14 - "Your prophets deceived you with false visions and lying messages-- they should have warned you to leave your sins and be saved from disaster." Jeremiah also told Israel that were believing lies, that he wished he could have been bringing good news, but there was no good news. They were disobedient, and this was the consequence.
2:17 - "The LORD has done everything that he had planned and threatened long ago." They shouldn't be surprised.
2:18 - "Don't ever lose hope or let your tears stop."
3:17 - "I cannot find peace or remember happiness."
3:21-40: "Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. zthe LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, 'The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!' The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. When we are young, it is good to struggle hard and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; we can also learn from insults and hard knocks. The Lord won't always reject us! He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. Don't trample prisoners under your feet or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. Good and bad each happen at the command
of God Most High. We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD. "
4:22 - "The people of Zion have paid for their sins, and the Lord will soon let them return home."
5:19-22 "You will rule forever, LORD! You are King for all time. Why have you forgotten us
for so long? Bring us back to you! Give us a fresh start. Or do you despise us so much that you don't want us?"
In the midst of despair, there is hope. But, even with hope and a knowledge of God's faithfulness, it is sometimes a challenge to imagine a positive outcome in the midst of the despiar.
2:14 - "Your prophets deceived you with false visions and lying messages-- they should have warned you to leave your sins and be saved from disaster." Jeremiah also told Israel that were believing lies, that he wished he could have been bringing good news, but there was no good news. They were disobedient, and this was the consequence.
2:17 - "The LORD has done everything that he had planned and threatened long ago." They shouldn't be surprised.
2:18 - "Don't ever lose hope or let your tears stop."
3:17 - "I cannot find peace or remember happiness."
3:21-40: "Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. zthe LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, 'The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!' The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. When we are young, it is good to struggle hard and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; we can also learn from insults and hard knocks. The Lord won't always reject us! He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. Don't trample prisoners under your feet or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. Good and bad each happen at the command
of God Most High. We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD. "
4:22 - "The people of Zion have paid for their sins, and the Lord will soon let them return home."
5:19-22 "You will rule forever, LORD! You are King for all time. Why have you forgotten us
for so long? Bring us back to you! Give us a fresh start. Or do you despise us so much that you don't want us?"
In the midst of despair, there is hope. But, even with hope and a knowledge of God's faithfulness, it is sometimes a challenge to imagine a positive outcome in the midst of the despiar.
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