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). 

Morning Message: Love is the Answer

Bobservations Column

Titled: "Love is the Answer"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

As Joel warns of an invading enemy coming to conquer His people, God lays out an ultimatum for the Jews in the passage today: “Deliverance for obedience.” It is a call for them to return unto Him, if they are to survive and remain in good standing with God. His agape’ is not at risk; it’s because of His agape’ that He makes this offer to them.

Justifying an error by the behaviors of those around us makes it impossible to identify the error itself. This is a mistake people and whole societies make: “This is the way we’ve always done it” is just another way of saying there might be a better way, but until somebody points it out to us, we will keep living the way we know.

Comparing ourselves to those around us, will neither challenge us, nor allow us to see God’s more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).

1 Corinthians 13 gives us the perfect challenge. “Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not, and does not lift itself up, nor is it puffed up. (Love) does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails. …”

Our challenge today is the same as the Jewish nation’s. First, read the verse again, but replace the word “Love” with the name of Jesus. What is revealed is His faithful and loving nature, His grace and His mercy.

Lastly, read the verse once more, replacing the word “Love” with your own name. How far through the passage did you get? Comparing ourselves to others just like us is no challenge at all. Comparing ourselves to perfection reveals how far we have yet to go! Love is the answer!

“Hear O Israel: The Lord Our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” - Deuteronomy 6:4,5

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning's Audio Message:

Joel 2:14-29 - "Love is the Answer"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

God loves to restore broken things. Whether they be broken families, broken lives, or broken people, God is a God who loves to restore. As we come to our Old Testaments and study this theme of the Day of the Lord, it’s a theme that should send chills down our spine as it should have sent chills down the spine for early audience. God’s judgment is no trifling matter, and his punishments are not a little slap on the wrist. But God does not do what he does out of a malicious desire to make his children hurt because they’ve hurt him. No, God disciplines with an eye toward restoration and blessing. As Hosea puts it, God breaks us that he may heal us (Hosea 5:14-6:1).

How is God’s discipline a reflection of his love? Why do we struggle to believe that this is so?

There is a big difference between the angry father who disciplines because he is fed up with his disobedient children and just wants them to learn a lesson, and the kind but firm father who disciplines his children because he knows that such discipline is truly what is best for them. Too often, if we are not careful, we can think of God in the first category. But the Bible pictures a God who is angry with sin and disobedience, yes, but more than that he is a God who wants to restore people to a place of blessing, joy, and life. And sometimes, to do that, he must bring people through painful events to take care of the wickedness they won’t address.

In the passage we are studying today (2:14-29), we see God reversing the pain and misery that he earlier brought and warned would be worse if there were no repentance, and several different things that God plans on restoring: blessings, peace, and a right relationship with him.

Even in the midst of judgment, the opportunity to repent was given.  If the people would demonstrate genuine repentance, the Lord stood ready to forgive and bless.  

Sin is devastating. We saw that in chapter one. But God’s grace is greater, we see that here in chapter two. No matter your sin, there can be forgiveness, healing, blessing, and life. Because while God is a God who brings judgment, He is also merciful, gracious and loving.  He is the God who is willing to forgive and restore. 

Sunday Morning's Audio Message:  

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Blow...Consecrate...Call (2:15) - In the ancient world, horns were used to gather people for special occasions or to warn of danger. These are commands, not suggestions. They are a clear call for an urgent response! The nearness of the Day of the LORD demands drastic measures for the nation of Israel, and for us. All men at every point in history past, present and future are to turn to the Lord in His awesome mercy via the narrow path of repentance!

Sanctify a Fast (2:15) - Sanctify means set apart/make holy.  Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. Fasting in the Old Testament expressed a mournful, urgent seeking of God in distressing circumstances. It was an outward expression of the inward reality of a shattered heart. It was an urgent response of repentance and great humility. It was the seeking of deliverance from a gracious merciful God.

Reproach . . .Shame (2:19-27) - "I will no more make you a reproach" and "my people shall never be ashamed" (vv. 26, 27) are ABSOLUTE statements that have yet to be fulfilled.  They can only be fulfilled in the far future (3:17). Joel now looks beyond the invasion to the time when God would heal His land and restore his blessings to His people.

Northern Army (2:20) - Although some have viewed this as a reference to the locusts, it is more likely referring to a military invasion by a country coming down from the north of Israel (see Ezekiel 38:6, 15: 39:2).  that future army will be driven into the eastern sea (Dead Sea) and the western sea (Mediterranean Sea).  This prophecy had an early fulfillment in the overnight slaying of the Assyrian host that had laid siege to Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36).  Its ultimate fulfillment will be in the almost equally sudden destruction of the vast armies of Gog and Magog by God. 

Former Rain . . . Latter Rain (2:23) - The former rains came in October-December to prepare the seed-bed and assist germination, while the latter rains came in March-May to provide ample moisture for the grain and fruit crops to be rich and full.   The repentance of the people and the divine defeat of their enemies will be accompanied by the ending of the terrible drought and other pestilences.  This is referring to the millennial period that follows the period of the great tribulation.  The return of the seasonal rains signals return of the nation into divine favor which in turn signifies that they have returned to Jehovah, rending their hearts and not their garments (Joel 2:12-13). As before signifies that God had blessed them in the past.

I am in the midst of Israel (2:27) - The Lord's promised return would be a reversal of the Lord's departure (Ezekiel 8-11).

Pour Out My Spirit (2:28) - This great promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-21), though He was not given to "all flesh" at that time.  The remaining parts of this prophecy (2:30-31) were not fulfilled at that time, but all will be fulfilled as Christ's return draws near.

Morning Message: The Day of the Lord

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "The Day of the Lord"

Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

An execution took place a few days ago in Texas on Wednesday evening. The man had showed no remorse for his crimes until the day of his execution.

More than twenty years had passed since his crime. His appeals were all used up, and the family of his victim watched as a lethal injection brought an end to the man who had caused them so much pain and heart ache. It was only from the death chamber that he finally conveyed his remorse to his victim’s family. His good works in prison were not enough to atone for his crime.

God will not be mocked. It was for the sins of the whole world that God sent His only begotten Son to be executed for our sins. The time of reckoning had come, and love prevailed with God’s mercy, love and grace evident so that we might live.

The Jews had God’s laws before any other group. Yet they rebelled, and when they saw no immediate repercussions for their breaking God’s Laws, they continued on in their rebellion. But then… The Day of the Lord was prophesied to them. God’s Prophets had warned them. God’s mercy was upon them, but remorse and repentance did not come. The Day of the Lord came instead. An invasion would take them away from their homes, their Temple, and from their land. Friends and families would lose touch with one another.

While Israel was on the receiving end of God’s wrath back then, it is upon the whole world today. We are warned by the same Prophets that had warned the Jews. The day of reckoning is coming for the whole world, and the death of God’s only begotten Son remains mankind’s only escape from His wrath. He asks us to simply believe on His Son, for the promise of escape.

The End-Times began some 2,000 years ago. The signs of their fulfillment are all around us today. 2 Peter 3:8 - If a thousand years is as a day to the Lord, and a day is as a thousand years, then we are on the cusp of the third day, when His Son will show Himself alive to the whole world again!

Romans 10:9 – 

“…If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Bobservations' Column: Audio Version

Sunday Morning's Audio Message:

Joel 1:16 - 2:13 - "The Day of the Lord"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

"The Day of the Lord" is the theme of the book of Joel, and it permeates every part of Joel's message.  The phrase is not a reference to a chronological time period, but to a period of wrath and judgment belonging to God alone. "The Day of the Lord" doesn't always refer to just a near historical event, but also to the future last days fulfillment of prophecy.  

With seismic disturbances, violent weather, thick darkness, cosmic upheaval and a "great and very terrible" day that would "come as destruction from the Almghty," This is the Day in which God reveals His attributes of wrath, power, and holiness, and it is a terrifying day to His enemies.

In the first chapter, "the Day of the Lord" is experienced historically by the plague of locusts upon the land. He uses the metaphor of the locust plague and drought as a backdrop from which to launch an intensified call to repent in view of the coming invasion of Judah and "the Day of the Lord," present and future. There is a transition in the second chapter, the prophet is looking to the Great Tribulation Period, the coming invasion of the Assyrian army is a foretaste of it. 

History is headed toward what the Bible calls "the Day of the Lord." This is the term used in Scripture to define the final judgment. It is called "the Day of the Lord" because it is the end of man’s day.

We are living in man’s day. Obviously, while we are under the power of Satan and his demons, we still operate with a measure of freedom in this world to create our own environment. This is man’s day, man is in charge. Man is in charge essentially at every level. This is the kingdom of man within the kingdom of darkness, which is under the ruler Satan. This is man’s day. You can look at history and see what man has made of it.

But what is coming is the Lord’s Day. It will be a day of cataclysmic judgment. That judgment will fall on those who have not repented of their sins and embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior. What you do with Jesus Christ is the determiner of your eternal destiny.

It’s important to notice that while Joel is calling the nations and Israel to repentance, he’s not simply encouraging them to repent with lofty religious words; he’s calling them to repent by changing their actions. Notice what the Lord says through the prophet Joel:

“...turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." — Joel 2:12-13

What a beautiful picture of how genuine heart change (repentance), from the inside out, leads to God being eager to demonstrate His love and mercy despite the obvious reality that none deserve it. Now that’s good news! This will lead us to the last part of Joel as he elaborates on what a future hope can look like for those who repent, turn to the Lord, and fully embrace His ways.

Sunday Morning's Audio Message: 

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Destruction from the Almighty (1:15) - The Day of the Lord is at hand; unless sinners repent, dire consequences await them.  The Hebrew term for destruction forms a powerful description of violent devastation and ruin. From the "Almighty," describes the invincible strength of God.  This event is not a freak of nature, but rather the purposeful, punishment of their Creator.

To Thee Will I Cry (1:19) - Joel is the first to call the nation to repentance, and to heed the warning.  In order to motivate the people to respond to his warnings, Joel led by example.  In the midst of proclaiming judgment, God's prophets often led in intercessory prayer for mercy and forgiveness (see Exodus 32:11-14; Jeremiah 42:1-4; Daniel 9:1-19; Amos 7:1-6).  

Fire Hath Devoured (1:19) - This statement depicts a scene more awesome than even a plague of locusts could produce.  All the trees of the field and all the pastures of the wilderness are scorched with devastating fires.  Joel's vision at this point carries him forward to the ultimate day of the Lord, the future tribulation period, when there will be a worldwide 3 1/2-year drought, with no rains and no winds (revelation 7:1; 11:3, 6).  The drought will cause global famines (Revelation 6:5-6), and then "hail and fire mingled with blood...and the third part of trees and all green grass is burned. (Revelation 8:7).

Dried Up (1:20) - Eventually in this time of great judgment, all the rivers "are dried up," even "the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up" (Revelation 16:12).  Undoubtedly lake will also dry up and even the sea level will drop (Revelation 16:8).

Blow Ye the Trumpet (2:1) - In the ancient world, horns were used to gather people for special occasions or to warn of danger (Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18; Numbers 10:1-10; Isaiah 27:13; Amos 3:6; Zephaniah 1:14-16; Zechariah 9:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).  This term refers to a ram's horn.

Zion (2:1) - Zion refers to either earthly Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:12), or the heavenly abode of God (Hebrews 12:22). All seven reverences in Joel refer to Jerusalem. 

Darkness and Gloominess...Clouds of Thick Darkness (2:2) - These features describe the blackness of a locust invasion, so thick that it blots out the sun with its deadly, living cloud of insects.

The Like (2:2) - The description of the invading host in this chapter goes well beyond even a legitimate metaphorical description of an invading swarm of locusts, as terrible as that can be.  Such locust plagues have occurred many times in the Middle East and elsewhere.  They might well serve as a type of the great armies that will invade Israel in the las days. 

Garden of Eden (2:3) - This is an incidental confirmation that Joel and the people of his time still believed in the historical truth of the Garden of Eden.

Appearance Like Horses (2:4-9) - The resemblance of the locust's head to that of a horse is striking, so much so that the prophet reiterates the word appearance.  Horses were not used for agricultural purposes in ancient times but were the most feared kind of military equipment (Exodus 15:1, 19; Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 11:4).  The simile continues with "like chariots" (v. 5); "like a strong people" (v. 5); "like mighty men" (v. 7); "like men of war" (v. 7); "like a thief" (v. 9).  

Earthquakes...Sun and Moon Grow Dark (2:10) - The ground trembles as dust flies along with the growing devastation.  Earthquakes and cosmic disruptions are well attested elsewhere as signs accompanying divine appearances (Judges 5:4; Psalm 18:7; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Nahum 1:5, 6; Matthew 24:7).  So devastating are the locusts that they are associated with the coming period of judgment in the last days (Revelation 6:12).

His Army (2:11) - The Lord's army is a different army than the one described in the previous verses.  This is the army of saints accompanying Christ and His holy angels when He returns to earth to destroy the ungodly hosts of the beast and the dragon (Revelation 19:11-21).

Rend Your Heart, Not Your Garments (2:13) - The word for “rend” in the original Hebrew means “to split, tear to pieces, rip, bust, separate abruptly or with violence.” To rend one’s garment was an ancient custom that signaled intense grief, repentance, or holy zeal. In Joel’s day, the nation of Judah was guilty of putting on false displays of repentance. The people performed rituals of tearing their clothing without experiencing true, heart-crushing remorse for their sin, which would lead to a change in behavior and genuine devotion to God. Only a complete rending of the heart would turn the nation back to receive the compassionate, gracious, merciful, and steadfast love of the Lord. Rending our hearts in repentance means wholehearted surrender to God.