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Joel, National Tragedy

The book of Joel is a very interesting book of the Bible. It seems like no one can ever agree over what this book is about. Some say it is about a locust plague while others claim it has to do with the invading Assyrians or Babylonians. The most famous passage in Joel is what is quoted in Acts 2 by Peter about the outpouring of the Spirit. Besides that passage many Christians couldn't quote a single line from this book.

This issue here is that the book of Joel is dealing with something incredibly specific without giving very many details. While many scholars find this annoying others have found that this is quite intentional. The book of Joel was written as a response to a specific national tragedy to be used for future national tragedies.

Background

One problem we have with the book of Joel is that we don't really know anything about the background. We know the author is Joel, but we don't know anything about him. We also don't know precisely when the book was written. Some think it was written as early as the 900's BC while others say it is as late as the 400's BC. 

The evidence from the book itself points to a date after the Exile. There is no mention at all of a king, which is odd given how the book addresses the entire nation. This probably means that there is no king. It also refers to other nations as having pillaged the land and scattered the people; probably a reference to the Exile. In any case this doesn't really affect the message of the book.

Themes

The book of Joel is all about a national tragedy the befell Judah. This was most likely a locust plague that consumed all the crops leaving no food for the people. Joel, speaking as God's prophet, uses this tragedy to call the people back into a more serious devotion towards God. He calls them to repent of their sins and mourn the tragic events that have transpired. 

God then promises the people that despite this tragedy he will make them new. He will bring restoration to his people. He will pour out his Spirit on them. The nations of the world who oppress them will be brought to justice. This tragedy is not the end for God's people.

Theological Point

God sometimes uses tragedy to call people to repentance and devotion. This does not mean that God caused the tragedy, only that he is working through it. In the case of Joel it is a national tragedy. God is calling his people back to him so that he can restore them.

We must be very careful when discussing national tragedies in the Old Testament. It can be very easy to correlate the ancient nation of Israel to the United States of America today. Ancient Israel was God's chosen nation. America is not. 

I say this because we have a tendency to view America as God's nation. What we forget is that God's people today is far bigger than America. The Kingdom of God, seen most evidently in the Church, spans the globe. The ruler of this Kingdom is far more powerful than the President ever will be. 

The book of Joel is talking to God's people. It is calling us to repentance, not the world. It is calling us to restoration, not the world. The Bible calls the world to repentance in many other places, but the focus of the book of Joel is squarely on those who claim follow God.

Conclusion

National tragedies are painful, emotional experiences. Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11. Those alive at the time all remember where they were when President Kennedy was assassinated. These are times of pain, searching, and coming together. 

Too often, however, our tendency during these times is to point to the world and demand that they repent. We try to promise the nations that if they turn to God they will be restored to their former glory. We try to promise the nations of this world something only God can give.

What if we, as Christians, responded differently during these times of tragedy? What if instead of calling those outside God's people to repent, we ourselves sought repentance? What if instead of offering empty promises of America's (or whatever nation's) restoration, we prayed and focused ourselves on God's promise of restoration?

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