Morning Message: Israel Restored

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Israel Restored"

Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

With Israel’s ultimatum being laid out in last week’s text, Israel must decide FOR the Lord God Jehovah if they are to receive of God’s favor. The invasion is on the horizon; judgment is coming for the sin(s) of the nation. Repentance on their part will catch the Lord God’s attention, and He will take pity on them.

Repent, and remain in His presence, or dig their heels in and try to run away from Him: we see the results of digging their heels in when we look at Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel. Refusing to acknowledge his own sin, Cain ended up killing Abel, his only source of the prescribed blood sacrifice. Then he ran away from the Lord, separated from his family, and built a city named after his son Enoch. Eden was no longer his home, and later in history, Isaac’s son Esau found himself in similar circumstances, and moved away from his father and his family. A lack of honoring God, combined with unforgiveness will put us even further away from God. Cain’s story, and Esau’s history can teach us much about what it means to hold onto sin, and reject God’s grace and mercy.

The scriptures supply us with many examples of the bad decisions and of good decisions made by Israel. And they do not apply to Israel only. As Gentiles, the rest of Earth’s population are also called to be God’s children. This is surely the reason that God has preserved His Word since the Garden of Eden. It is available to every nation, and every person. Particularly, since the advancement of technology and the Internet, there are few excuses to not know the Lord. And even then, if some remote civilization or tribe has never heard of Jesus, they will be judged by His laws written in their hearts (According to Romans 2:14-16).

Above all else, God is faithful and just (1 John 1:9-10). God has made provisions for every contingency of man, so that we are without excuse. The ultimatum we face is the simple choice to believe. The eyes of the Jews are darkened until Zechariah 12, then their eyes will be opened. The eyes of the Gentiles have been opened by His sacred Word in the scriptures. To believe or not to believe; that is the question we each face.

Jacob wrestled with an angel in Genesis 32:24. In the end, Jacob had to give up

on his own power to be blessed with the power of God.  Give up, and win!

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning's Audio Message:

Joel 2:30 - 3:8 - "Israel Restored"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

In this last chapter, Joel describes the day of the Lord, a day of judgment that is to be proclaimed to all nations. If you ask the question, “What will the day of judgment be like? What will it be like to be there when all nations will be gathered together in one place?” It seems unimaginable. Joel uses words to paint pictures. He portrays the day of the Lord so you can taste, see, and picture what this day will be like, and so that we may heed His warnings.

"Restore" is the key word of this whole book. God works to restore the broken relationship between His people and Himself.  He works to restore all that was lost, and He breathes new life into His own and begins to bless once again.   The restoration of Judah and Jerusalem in Joel 3:1, happens through the gathering for judgment in verse 2.  Evil goes on and on and multiplies itself in every generation.

This judgment will happen. The same God who says, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25), and “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh” (2:28), also says, “I will gather all the nations” and, “I will enter into judgment with them” (3:2).

The judgment of nations has special reference to the way the nations have treated God’s people Israel: “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” (Joel 3:2). Great evils were done against God’s people in the Old Testament and since. All of them are known to God. Not one of them will ever be forgotten. All that has been done will one day be brought to account.

Particular charges are laid out here. For example, they “have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it” (Joel 3:3). What is Joel talking about? This describes what we would call today: “human trafficking!” It was happening in Old Testament times, and it is still happening today.

Sometimes we wonder if there can ever be justice in the world. The answer in Scripture is Yes! God will bring justice: “He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31). On that day, he will gather all people, and he will enter into judgment against all sins. The evils God will bring to judgment are many. They include the evils done against Israel.

We all live in a world that is becoming more and more anti-God and it is ripe for judgement. If you haven't noticed you haven't been paying attention! Joel's message to Judah (and to us) is reaching its conclusion. For the past few weeks, we've been looking at the prophecies of Joel, and have examined the conditions of the 'day of the Lord' that are described in some detail in this book. Joel chapter 2 took us to the very end of this period of wrath. Joel chapter 3 continues and shows us the basis for the coming judgement of the nations. 

 "For the Day of the Lord is near upon all the earth." (Obadiah 15).

The context of Joel 3 clarifies that this is a time when God judges the earth. Verse 2 says, “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.”  The Valley of Jehoshaphat is the same as the “valley of decision.” Jehoshaphat means “Yahweh judges”; the “decision” being made in the valley is God’s, not the multitudes’. The literal, geographical location of this valley is likely the Kidron Valley on the east side of Jerusalem.

The focus of Joel 3 is on the future Day of the Lord. This time will include a gathering of the nations (verse 2), a judgment on wickedness (verse 13), and astronomical signs (verse 15). Joel’s prophecy of the valley of decision finds its counterpart in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and the judgment of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

Immediately following the prophecy of judgment, Joel transitions to a description of the Lord’s millennial reign, a literal 1,000-year time period that follows the tribulation. During the millennium Christ rules as king from Jerusalem.  The millennium is described in many passages of scripture, including Joel 3:18-21. Further, Revelation 20:1-7 refers to “1,000 years” six times. It seems that God desires us to know that the millennial kingdom is a literal time period.

Joel notes the national restoration of Israel, in which the people will be regathered to the land (Isaiah 11:15, 16; Matthew 24:31).

Sunday Morning's Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Afterward (2:28) "in the last days" (Isaiah 2:2) under Messiah after the invasion and deliverance of Israel from the northern army. Having up to this time stated the outward blessings, he now raises their minds to the expectation of extraordinary spiritual blessings, which constitute the true restoration of God's people (Isaiah 44:3). Fulfilled in earnest (Acts 2:17) on Pentecost; among the Jews and the subsequent election of a people among the Gentiles; hereafter more fully at the restoration of Israel (Isaiah 54:13; Jeremiah 31:9, 34; Ezekiel 39:29; Zechariah 12:10) and the consequent conversion of the whole world (Isaiah 2:2; 11:9; 66:18-23; Micah 5:7; Romans 11:12, 15). As the Jews have been the seedmen of the elect Church gathered out of Jews and Gentiles, the first Gospel preachers being Jews from Jerusalem, so they shall be the harvest men of the coming world-wide Church, to be set up at Messiah's appearing. That the promise is not restricted to the first Pentecost appears from Peter's own words: "The promise is (not only) unto you and to your children, (but also) to all that are afar off (both in space and in time), even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Act 2:39). So here "upon all flesh."

I will pour out (2:28) - under the new covenant. See John 7:39.

My Spirit (2:28) - the Spirit, "proceeding from the Father and the Son," and at the same time one with the Father and the Son (compare Isaiah 11:2).

Sons. . . Daughters. . . Old. . . Young (2:28) -not merely on a privileged few (Numbers 11:29) as the prophets of the Old Testament, but men of all ages and ranks. See Acts 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5, as to "daughters," that is, women, prophesying.

Dreams. . . Visions (2:28) - (Acts 9:10; 16:9). The "dreams" are attributed to the "old men," as more in accordance with their years; "visions" to the "young men," as adapted to their livelier minds. The three modes whereby God revealed His will under the Old Testament (Numbers 12:6), "prophecy, dreams, and visions," are here made the symbol of the full manifestation of Himself to all His people, not only in miraculous gifts to some, but by His indwelling Spirit to all in the New Testament (John 14:21, 23; 15:15). In Acts 16:9; 18:9, the term used is "vision," though in the night, not a dream. No other dream is mentioned in the New Testament save those given to Joseph in the very beginning of the New Testament, before the full Gospel had come; and to the wife of Pilate, a Gentile (Matthew 1:20; 2:13; 27:19). "Prophesying" in the New Testament is applied to all speaking under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and not merely to foretelling events. All true Christians are "priests" and "ministers" of our God (Isaiah 61:6), and have the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26, 27). 

And Also . . . Servants...Handmaids (2:29) - Even the very slaves by becoming the Lord's servants are His freemen (1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11; Philemon 1:16). Therefore, in Acts 2:18 it is quoted, "My servants" and "My handmaidens"; as it is only by becoming the Lord's servants, they are spiritually free, and partake of the same Spirit as the other members of the Church.

Before...day of the Lord (2:30, 31) - This is the fourth appearance of this phrase (1:15; 2:1, 11; 3:14).  Unmistakable heavenly phenomena will signal the imminent arrival of God's wrath in the Day of the Lord (v. 10). As Messiah's manifestation is full of joy to believers, so it has an aspect of wrath to unbelievers, which is represented here.

Call On. . . the Name of the Lord (2:32) - The Lord, in Hebrew, JEHOVAH.  Applied to Jesus in Romans 10:13 (compare Acts 9:14; 1Corinthians 1:2). The name of the Lord refers to God's person and character. The Lord is our rock, our refuge, our fortress, our shepherd, our king, and our redeemer. In the Bible the Lord has revealed to us that He is merciful, kind, and caring. Everyone who invokes the name of God for mercy and salvation, by or in the name of Jesus, shall be saved (Acts 2:21). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Quoted by the apostle Paul in Romans 10:13. It is evident from this passage that "Whosoever" calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Yet it is also clear that those who do this actually constitute "The remnant whom the LORD shall call." 

Shall Be Delivered (2:32) - as the Christians were, just before Jerusalem's destruction, by fleeing to the mountains, warned by the Saviour (Matthew 24:16); a type of the spiritual deliverance of all believers, and of the last deliverance of the elect "remnant" of Israel from the final assault of Antichrist. "In Zion and Jerusalem" the Saviour first appeared; and there again shall He appear as the Deliverer (Zechariah 14:1-5).

Remnant (2:32) - In spite of the nation's sin, God promised to fulfill His unconditional covenants.  A future remnant of Jews will inherit God's promised blessings (Isaiah 10:20-22; 11:11, 16; Jeremiah 31:7; Micah 2:12; Zephaniah 3:13; Romans 9:27).

Bring Again the Captivity (3:1) - That is, reverse it.

Gather All Nations (3:2) - The nations of the world will be gathered to Jerusalem to the battle of Armageddon (Zechariah 12:3; 14:2; Revelation 16:16; 19:11-12). 

Valley of Jehoshaphat (3:2) - The name means "Yahweh judges" (3:12, 14) and, although the exact location is unknown, other prophets spoke of this judgment as occurring near Jerusalem (Ezekiel 38; 39; Daniel 11:45; Zechariah 9:14; 12:1).  This judgment of the nation's includes the event of Matthew 25:31-46. 

Parted My Land (3:2) - The land promised to Abraham, from the Nile to the Euphrates, has been "parted" by many nations in the 4,000 years since. 

My Heritage Israel (3:2) - the source of Judah's redemption is God's free love, wherewith He chose Israel as His peculiar heritage, and at the same time assuring them, when desponding because of trials, that He would plead their cause as His own, and as if He were injured in their person.

Cast Lots (3:3) - The practice of casting lots is mentioned seventy times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice; but their exact nature is unknown. The closest modern practice to casting lots is likely flipping a coin.

Given a Boy for a Harlot...Sold a girl (3:3) - A description of what we would call today:  "human trafficking!"  It was happening in the ancient times, and continues to happen even today.

Tyre...Zidon...Palestine (3:4) - See Amos 1:6-10.

My silver. . . My gold (3:5) that is, the gold and silver of My people. The Philistines and Arabians had carried off all the treasures of King Jehoram's house (2 Chronicles 21:16, 17). Compare also 1 Kings 15:18; 2 Kings 12:18; 14:14, for the spoiling of the treasures of the temple and the king's palace in Judah by Syria. It was customary among the heathen to hang up in the idol temples some of the spoils of war as presents to their gods.

The Grecians (3:6) - literally, "Javanites," that is, the Ionians, a Greek colony on the coast of Asia Minor who were the first Greeks known to the Jews. The Greeks themselves, however, in their original descent came from Javan (Genesis 10:2, 4). Probably the germ of Greek civilization in part came through the Jewish slaves imported into Greece from Phoenicia by traffickers. Ezekiel 27:13 mentions Javan and Tyre as trading in the persons of men. There is ample evidence that the Greek nation was well established, and the Greek peoples widely known by the time of Joel.  The prophet here looks beyond the Babylonian captivity to the subsequent Persian rule and then that of the Greek empire. 

Far from their Border (3:6) - far from Judea; so that the captive Jews were cut off from all hope of return.

Raise Them (3:7) - that is, I will "rouse" them. Neither sea nor distance will prevent My bringing them back. 

Sabeans (3:8) - Trading merchants who lived in Arabia (1 Kings 10; Jeremiah 6:20).