Mercy, Wholeness, & Praise!
Pastor Chad A. Miller
Sermon • Submitted • 28:34
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· 16 viewsOur jealous God is a compassionate God that responds to repentance with mercy and grace. Israel experiences it here…the child of God has it now.
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REFLECTION TEXT: Psalm 126
A Song of Ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
SERMON TEXT: Joel 2:18-27
18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
“Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the nations.
20 “I will remove the northerner far from you,
and drive him into a parched and desolate land,
his vanguard into the eastern sea,
and his rear guard into the western sea;
the stench and foul smell of him will rise,
for he has done great things.
21 “Fear not, O land;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
22 Fear not, you beasts of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.
23 “Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
24 “The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.
26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
INTRO (MERCY)
INTRO (MERCY)
We all stand in need of mercy!
The biblical meaning of mercy is exceedingly rich and complicated, as evidenced by the fact that several Hebrew and Greek words are needed to comprehend the many-sided concept. Consequently, there are many synonyms employed in translation to express the dimensions of meaning involved, such as “kindness,” “lovingkindness,” “goodness,” “grace,” “favor,” “pity,” “compassion,” and “steadfast love.” Prominent in the concept of mercy is the compassionate disposition to forgive an offender or adversary and to help or spare him in his sorry plight.
Israel certainly does all throughout its historic and storied journey of obedience and disobedience to God.
Last week, we spoke of Sin’s Painful Price…Joel gave us a poetic, but front row seat to the painful judgment on a massive scale with locusts.
We saw an immediate “DAY OF THE LORD” with the locust plagues.
The land was ravaged, everyone was mourning and weeping and wailing.
There wasn’t sufficient supply to perform the most basic ceremonies and sacrifices in worship to the Lord...
There was a call to repent in Chapter 1
We saw an imminent “DAY OF THE LORD” in Chapter 2.
Whether a second locust wave, coming northern invasion from a heathen nation, strange glimpses of the final Day of Judgment…or a mix of all 3 - things were going to go from bad to worse.
[like the headlines in 2020…like a really bad, long dark comedy playing out in front of us.]
..they've been promised more judgment and called to fast and repent.
Then the LORD responds to repentance - HE ALWAYS RESPONDS TO GENUINE REPENTANCE.
Mercy is still foremost in God’s attitude to his covenantal people.
The invitation is given to return in penitence to him and find him to be gracious and compassionate.
TRANSITION
TRANSITION
NOTE THE MAJOR SHIFT HERE.
18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
“Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the nations.
[[You Remember the NOTE we ended on last week]]
The Hebrew verb forms mark a sharp transition here. The text at this point abruptly moves from crisis and lamentation for God’s people to salvation and vindication.
Possibly a better rendering would have been “he has been moved to compassion over his people”.
As we are about to see God’s compassion and the People’s Praise…it’s worth noting that this word Jealous here appears also in Exodus.
5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),
Be Amazed 2. The Imminent Day of the Lord (Joel 2:1–27)
The Jews are indeed God’s special treasure and heritage (Ex. 15:17; 19:5–6; Ps. 94:5; Jer. 2:7; 12:7–9). To Israel, He gave His laws, His covenants, the temple and priesthood, a special land, and the promise that they would bless the whole world (Gen. 12:1–3; Rom. 9:1–5). From Israel came the written Word of God and the gift of the Savior (John 4:22).
In this context, God’s jealousy is for his namesake and glory. Other nations, heathen nations, were mocking Israel and charging Israel’s God with an inability to care for his people.
These poetic words used here - chosen by the very Holy Spirit of God are profound.
Daniel–Malachi Comment
The sinful nation has not been cast off by God, for its people are still “his people.” That same thought is repeatedly expressed by other prophets as well (cf. Isa. 49:25–26; 54:4–9; Jer. 30:1–3; 31:1–6).
Such a gracious God would “turn and have pity” (Joel 2:14, NIV). Note that Joel’s concern was that the people would once again have offerings to bring to the Lord, not just food on their tables.
1. MERCY, WHAT RESTORATION!
1. MERCY, WHAT RESTORATION!
vv 19 - 20, 24-25
19 The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
20 “I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things.
24 “The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
(v19) He’s sending back the things the Lord took away!
(Job 1:21) He gives. He takes away. We bless the name of the Lord whether with much or little.
Taking away your reproach
The Lord will set you up to glorify Him…whether with much or little.
(v20) Removing the invaders / Dispersing them, Disposing of them
Who is this Northern Army?
Many writers have suggested that it refers to an army coming from the north / almost every military invasion of Israel came from the north
Locusts? if the references to the locusts earlier in this book are taken literally, then this term most likely relates to that plague as well.
Well-documented instances of locusts coming from the north support the continuing interpretation of an insect plague.
God, who in his sovereignty brought the locusts, is also the one who will remove them from the land. They will be driven away into the eastern (Dead) and western (Mediterranean) seas, and the dead locusts will emit a powerful stench.
End-time picture of nations in final battle? It certainly can allude to that as well.
The case can be easily made this addresses the first wave and second waves that we have already addressed .
(v24) The grain, wine, and oil overflow!
Be Amazed 2. The Imminent Day of the Lord (Joel 2:1–27)
Note that Joel’s concern was that the people would once again have offerings to bring to the Lord, not just food on their tables.
(v25) The results of the years that all the LOCUSTS took
The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Vol. XXXV Truth Stranger than Fiction (No. 2,081)
You cannot have back your time; but there is a strange and wonderful way in which God can give back to you the wasted blessings, the unripened fruits of years over which you mourned. The fruits of wasted years may yet be yours. It is a pity that they should have been locust-eaten by your folly and negligence; but if they have been so, be not hopeless concerning them.
(v25) the phrase “my great army, when I sent among you.”
we are reminded of God’s omnipotence and His Sovereignty. That God would say my great army of a pagan military force reminded Israel that Yahweh is the sovereign Lord of history.
He is in control of all nations and they ultimately serve his purposes no matter their intentions
We’ll come back and make application in a moment. But marvel as this incredible restoration we are seeing unfold in front of our eyes. MERCY, What RESTORATION!
2. MERCY, WHAT PRAISE!
2. MERCY, WHAT PRAISE!
vv 21-23, 26
21 “Fear not, O land;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
22 Fear not, you beasts of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.
23 “Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.
26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
FRIEND, IMAGINE WITH ME FOR JUST A MOMENT THAT YOU HAVE ENDURED THE RECENT LOCUSTS PLAGUES, THE TOTAL DEVASTATION OF ALL CROPS, WITH NOTHING TO EVEN TAKE TO OFFER IN WORSHIP...
AND THEN THE LORD HIMSELF SAYS, I’M RESTORING YOU TO WHOLENESS…HEALING THE LAND…AND FORGIVING YOUR SIN!
MERCY, WHAT A PRAISE WOULD COME!
BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST, DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO FIND OUT THAT YOUR SINS HAD BEEN FORGIVEN?
MERCY, WHAT A PRAISE SHOULD BE ON YOUR LIPS!
21 “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!
(v21) FEAR NOT! (75x in the OT)
What was there to be afraid of?
It’s clear here in Joel 1 & 2. Locusts, Armies, Drought…all a part of God’s judgment on the land / the people / even the animals.
What about us? What is there to be afraid of?
we were cut off from God / at war with God (whether consciously or not)
we stood condemned already because we were rejecting the truth - the Lord Jesus Christ.
we were destined for the eternal judgment of God…and rightfully so.
The God of this Bible is the righteous eternal judge and capable of meeting out justice to His Holy and Perfect standard…and there are none righteous, no not one.
This God that breathed the breath of life into the lump of clay as it was base, but beautifully transformed into the imago dei -
this God who authored all life, with the explosive creative force of His Word alone
It’s not an image that works well in our touchy-feely society. But apart from the Lord Jesus Christ’s free offer of the gospel there is no hope for your soul.
To reject that offer is to trample underfoot the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hell cannot be brutal enough for someone who would hear the glorious Gospel message, to hear this truth, and to refuse the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and bled and died upon Calvary’s cross to save sinners.
To refuse the gospel puts your blood on your own hands and you will suffer in hell forever under the torment of the wrath of God.
You will be among the torment of the damned, and you will never find relief for your soul.
BUT!!!!
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
WHERE FEAR ONCE RULED…LOVE NOW REIGNS!
17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
FEAR NOT! BE GLAD! REJOICE!
This is not only the command of God as result of His compassionate mercy, it is a beautifully normative response for the child of God who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good!
(v21) FEAR NOT! BE GLAD! REJOICE! He has done great things!
(v22) Beasts will flourish again, fields are green and lush
Trees, Fruits, Vineyards are all fully back!
(v23) Early & Latter Seasonal rains will be abundant
God’s provision will vindicate you among the God-hating Heathen tribes around
>> MERCY, WHAT PRAISE!
The destruction caused by the locust invasion (or the invading army) is now reversed.
Covenant blessings will be restored to the land (Dt 11:13–15).
Continuing in this thread of praise
(v26) Where there was famine, weeping and wailing before because of the lack…now there is eating, plenty, and satisfaction!
(This comes as God’s divine intervention)
you “SHALL” eat & praise the LORD who has dealt wondrously with you.
3. MERCY, WHAT A PROMISE!
3. MERCY, WHAT A PROMISE!
v 26b-27
“…And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
The ultimate promise here is for complete, unbroken fellowship with the LORD!
v26b - HIS PEOPLE - no more shame
v27 - You’ll know I’m in the midst...
no more guessing, hoping
no more relying on an earthly priest
you’ll KNOW - it will be obvious
The New American Commentary: Hosea, Joel 2. Divine Promise of Healing (2:25–27)
It implies that the Lord was about to do some mighty work that would teach the Israelites a lesson about his divine power.
Daniel–Malachi Response
God’s presence with his people was symbolized in the OT by the tent of meeting (cf. Ex. 40:34–38). The NT reveals that Jesus’ coming in human flesh was the fulfillment of that truth: God’s Son came and pitched his tent with us (John 1:14). The gospel brings assurance that he is in the midst of his people still (2 Cor. 6:16) and will be so to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).
>>>MERCY, WHAT A PROMISE!
CLOSE
CLOSE
Genuine Biblical Repentance on the people’s part will result in divine intervention on the Lord’s part.
While this section of Joel’s prophecy stresses God’s mercy to Judah, we see the consistent nature of God on display
Sorrow is turned to joy when God overturns opposing forces.
He assures his people that he is able to do great things for them (v. 21), to act wondrously on behalf of those who trust in him (v. 26)
The Lord’s promise was that he would dwell with Israel and that they would know he was the one who had redeemed them from Egypt (Ex. 29:45–46).
Now the assurance is given again that God, their God, the only God, is in their midst (Joel 2:27).
The impending judgment, the wages for your sins can be turned from sorrow and separation into joy and nearness to the Holy God of this Bible.
God can restore what the enemy has taken in your life.
To whatever degree…broken relationships, broken bodies, broken minds…
Whether in this life or the life to come - for you to live is not to LIVE BETTER…for you to live IS CHRIST! Heaven will fix it all!
We have the presence of God as we walk in the Spirit, as we gather to worship, as we get into the WORD so the WORD can get into us
MERCY, WHAT A PROMISE
WHAT RESTORATION
(AND BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY), WHAT A PRAISING PEOPLE WE OUGHT TO BE!
FEAR NOT! FOR THERE IS GREAT MERCY!
BE GLAD! FOR THE WHOLENESS WE HAVE IN CHRIST!
REJOICE! WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF PRAISE!
LET’S PRAY
Minimally, we should identify with Judah during this time:
Our mouths should be filled with laughter,
our tongues with shouts of joy;
Others should be able to look at us, to listen to us and say, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
For you have done great things for us;
We will NOT FEAR!
We WILL BE GLAD!
We WILL REJOICE as we leave this gathering to do YOUR WORK YOUR WAY, SO THAT YOU GET ALL THE GLORY!
BENEDICTION
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
