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Sermon Series The Prophet Joel
Scene 1.
As we have seen over the last few weeks the prophet Joel presents a clear contrast between truly serving God and rejecting him.
It is a very clear contrast, either you are for God or against him.
In or out.
Throughout the Old Testament we see this constant wavering.
The people of Israel run towards God and then drift away from him.
Even though they saw miracle after miracle during the Exodus from Egypt.
Even after they saw miracle after miracle during the time of the prophets.
Again and again the nation would face danger.
Again and again God would save them.
Till finally God said enough, no more, reap what you have sown.
In our society things are a little different.
I am struck by how easily people can hear the gospel message and even agree that it is the act of a loving God, but do nothing about it.
It is the greatest news there is.
But for so many there is so little impact.
People just don’t see that they are in need of forgiveness.
They are alright as far as they are concerned.
But that is not an option that God has left open to us.
Listen to these words of Jesus in John’s gospel chapter 14 verse 6.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
It is a pretty clear statement isn’t it?
Jesus is the only way to God.
The apostle Paul clearly set out for us the path required to be truly right with God in Romans 3: 22-24
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
The Old Testament prophets had it right; you are either for God or against him.
And if you are against him, then you have declined his offer of eternity and he won’t make you come to heaven if you don’t want too.
And rejecting that invitation is a very serious problem.
It means rejecting all that is good, for ever!
But for those who walk with the Lord there is an incredible future to look forward to.
Scene 2. That future is one of incomprehensible blessing.
Have a look at verse 18 of Joel chapter 3.
In that day indicates the prophetic future.
It is the same term used in chapter 2 and verse 28.
It means on the day when God comes to bring judgement on the world and as we have seen in previous weeks it is a time to look forward to for those who love him.
Joel uses poetic imagery to describe the productivity of the land in this future messianic age.
The land of Judah will be transformed and instead of dry stony land there will be abundance.
In Exodus 3 verse 8 Canaan is called “a land flowing with milk and honey”.
This promise has only been partially fulfilled but on the Day of the Lord it will be fully fulfilled.
Taking a cue from Psalm 65 verse 11 Joel tells us that the vineyards will be so productive that the mountains shall drip with wine.
The prophet Amos in chapter 9:13-14 has exactly the same theme; the coming day of the Lord will be followed by a time when great joy and productivity will be evident.
The pasture land will be so rich and green so that the flocks produce so much that the hills will be flowing with milk.
All of this because of a great fountain which shall spring up from the Lord’s house and water the land.
Ezekiel 47 and Zechariah 14, give us further details of this great fountain.
Its waters will flow East and West, entering the Mediterranean on one side and the Dead Sea on the other, transforming a desert into fertile and productive land.
The valley of Acacias, was the location of the last encampment of the Israelite's before they entered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership. (Num. 25:1; Josh. 3:1).[1]
It was a dry and barren place, yet even it will spring into life because of this great fountain of blessing that will flow from Jerusalem across the Jordan river and fill this desert region with life.
It is an amazing picture of great blessing.
Productive land, joyful people!
Now I have seen some pretty good land in my time.
The Atherton Tableland, Maleny - Mapleton, The Sunshine Coast hinterland around Palmwoods and Woombye, Byron Bay.
High rainfall, deep fertile soils.
But even these places pale into insignificance compared to the land flowing with milk and honey which is pictured in this and similar passages.
God promised his people a special land of their own.
A land of blessing, a land of plenty, a land of peace.
That future awaits us.
But for those who reject God, there is something different waiting.
Scene 3. Complete devastation
Look at verse 19.
Egypt and Edom, two enemies of Israel that time and again caused great hardship for the people of God.
Both have suffered to some extent the judgement mentioned here.
Egypt that great and powerful kingdom has been defeated time and again.
Edom, located SE of the Dead Sea forms part of modern Jordan.
Even today it is a desolate area.
These two nations stand as representatives of all the nations that stand against God and his people.
Every nation that is against God is included in this picture.
No exceptions.
Now I don’t know about you.
But if I was given the choice of being a part of a land flowing with milk and honey, or being a part of a desolate wasteland, I know which one I would choose.
The desolation spoken of by the prophet Joel is not the beauty and occasional bounty of the Australian outback.
No, Joel is talking about dead land.
Land that does not produce.
Land forsaken by God.
It is a stark contrast.
Scene 4. But for those who walk with God, his forgiveness and presence is the greatest blessing. V 20-21.
Look at verse 21.
The forgiveness of sins.
To receive a pardon from a king is an act of unmerited favour, bestowed by a sovereign upon a person who does not deserve it.
God’s people will receive forgiveness for their sins and an eternal home, free from threat and fear.
Jesus said in Matthew 28 verses 20, “I am with you always to the very end of the age”
We see in these few verses the end of time.
Turn with me please to the back of your bibles.
To Revelation 22: 1-7
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”
The end of time is a wonderful picture, God will make all things new.
God’s enemies will be judged, God’s people will be blessed.
Those for God will see eternal life, those against him eternal desolation.
It is a simple choice.
One which we can make today.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary
(Joe 3:18). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
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