Posts Tagged: Joel 2:12

“On Reading Larger Chunks of Scripture”

On September 4, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

I like the YouVersion app on my phone a lot. I particularly use it to listen to Scripture while I’m walking the dog or doing other things. I also like their verse-of-the-day. However, sometimes I long for some context for their verse (or few verses, in some cases).

Now, in defense of the good folks who administer the app, they do give you the option of reading the whole chapter in which their verse/s occur. So, this is not really such a serious matter. People are busy. It is better to read and meditate upon a single verse or a few verses of scripture, rather than to do nothing. I get that.

Still, there are times when I especially need some context for the verse/s for the day. For example, today’s verse is:

“That is why the LORD says,

‘Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.’” (Joel 2:12, New Living Translation)

“That is why” leads off verse 12 in this translation. It provokes the question “What is why?”

The preceding verses in Joel 2 speak of the desolation and destruction that an army is about to bring on Judah and Jerusalem. Scholars debate whether this is a literal locust plague or a metaphor for an invasion of a foreign army. In any case, the most shocking thing for God’s people is the name of the general who is leading the invasion: It is their own God, the LORD, Yahweh!

And yet, there is hope for God’s people. There is still time to make peace with their God.

At least two observations come out of reading Joel 2:12 in its larger context. First, God does, in fact, punish his own people. This is a wonderful antidote for getting cocky about having God on our side or being on God’s side ourselves. And we are all prone to this. There are no exceptions! Liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, men and women—you fill in the blank. Before we are too sure that Joel 2:1-11 applies to “those people” (whoever they are), we had better take a long look in the mirror.

Secondly, God does not want to destroy us or even punish us. Instead, God wants us to turn back to God. This is not simply a matter of behavior modification, although it certainly involves that. Notice that God inspires Joel to call people to heart-repentance. In fact, giving God our hearts precedes weeping and fasting.

And one final comment about Joel 2:12, as well as a general strategy for reading the Bible: While Joel 2:12 is good as a stand-alone, it is even better when it marches alongside the other verses. This is true of the entire Bible.

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“EVEN NOW”

On May 18, 2018 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

Friday, May 18, 2018

I am not a particularly good server at Bob Evans.  I recognize this fact, and acknowledge it.  I’m old and slow and scattered, and I screw up—a lot.

However, I show up, work hard, and try to be kind and attentive to my customers.  I genuinely like customers, and am glad that I can try to serve them.

Last night, I did such a poor job of serving a family of four that the manager comped their entire meal, worthy about $60.00.  I told her she needed to fire me, but she didn’t agree.  The family still left me a $5.00 tip.  I felt as if I should tip them.

My last table, a three-top, were very gracious and patient.  I thanked them, and told them that it had been a rough night.  I had made every mistake that could be made, and even some mistakes that couldn’t be made.

One lady said, “I waited tables when I was about half your age.  I couldn’t even imagine doing it now.”  I have a difficult time imagining doing it myself.

Last night, I came home hurting badly in places I didn’t even know I had.  After a pretty good 6 ½ hours of sleep or so, I feel much better.  Tonight, I go back and try to do it again.  Hopefully, I’ll do better tonight.

Of course, I tend to live my life in a regretful, self-pitying manner.  If only I had done what I should have done as a pastor, if only I had avoided sin, if only I were still a pastor, I wouldn’t have to work so hard at a profession that is not helped by a Ph.D. in theology, if only . . ., if only . . .

But, of course, “if-onlys”  are worse than useless.  They are a kind of anti-confession that merely saps my strength and irritates others.  “If only” is one of the ugliest, most futile expressions in the English/American language.

The Old Testament prophet Joel sets against such “if-onlys” an uncompromisingly direct “even-now.”

“Even now– this is the LORD’s declaration– turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” (Joel 2:12, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Joel had portrayed the devastating judgment upon Judah with the words that suggest either a catastrophic invasion of locusts (if he is speaking literally), or a catastrophic invasion of an army (if he is speaking metaphorically).  In any case, the portrait he paints is quite dark.  The people of Judah are portrayed as starving.

However, Joel also holds out some hope.  “Even now,” Joel writes in 2:12.  It is never too late to repent.  It is never too late to do the next right thing.  It is never too late to hope.  It is never too late to trust God.  It is never too late to love and let myself be loved.

Even now!

In the midst of writing this blog, I just got word that a good twelve-step friend died.  But even now, the living go on living.  Even now, I must decided to live through and for and with God.

Even now.

 

(There is a wonderful sermon entitled “Even Now,” by C.H. Spurgeon, based on Martha and the raising of Lazarus from the dead, at https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2249.cfm.)

 

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