The Book of Joel

A Texas farmer went on vacation to Australia. He met up with an Australian farmer who proudly showed off his wheat field. “That’s nothing”, said the Texan. “Back home, we have wheat fields that are twice as large as this.” Next, the Australian pointed out his cattle. “They’re nothing,” said the Texan. “Back home, we have longhorns that are twice as big as your cows.” Just then, half a dozen kangaroos bounded across the road. “What are those?” asked the Texan. The Australian replied, “Don’t you have grasshoppers in Texas?” [1]

Big grasshoppers would be the fear of every farmer and if they came in four cycles, removing all vegetation, that would be an even bigger deal. Joel uses this visual to explain what the armies will do to them when they come. The various layers of destruction are symbolic of a nation and its army that brought total and utter devastation. Joel focuses on “Yom Yahweh” which in Hebrew means “Day of the Lord.” Gods’ people thought it was a day when they were going to be vindicated and justified –but God was warning them through Joel that when destruction comes, it will affect EVERYONE– so it is a good time to repent.

Do you know a nation that is worried about foreign invaders? A nation worried about economic ruin and natural catastrophes that will decimate the economy and cause financial ruin? It’s a timely word for them and us.

The vivid word pictures show us that nothing survived – trees had no bark, fruit withered, and oil ran dry. All the destruction came for a reason. This was what surprised me most this month. This is the reason all these awful things took place–because

“joy is withered away from the sons of men.”  That was the reason Joel said.   What’s that?

Joy is that important to God? Joy in religious celebration or delight with God? Missing joy was an alarm in itself! Scan your person for a second – are you missing delight? Joy? Fruitfulness? Have there been alarm bells recently that you’ve silenced or simply chosen not to hear? Those are all byproducts of rest and trusting in Yahweh.

This intrigues me. Why was the absence of Joy – the absence of New wine so serious to God? It is serious when it is mentioned twice and especially when we are told that the REASON for all this was the absence of it. That is worth a second look, a time of pondering.  When you read about the grapes, the fresh, new wine made from the treading, you see that God wants them to have the new, fresh stuff. Flowing provision. The gathering of the people to celebrate Gods’ provision and love – carried them, delighted them. The crops are barren, the fruit is withered and the oil has dried up. Did they stop celebrating God and one another and then judgment came or did the signs of judgment cause them to not be able to have joy and new wine to gather? We are so far removed from the festivals and cycles of rest that we miss the depth of God’s invitation, His love. He wants them to know Him, His relationship and heart. A fast modern reading of Joel without the passion for God, community, and His provision, is so very sterile.

He then tells them things like, “hear, lament, guard, sanctify, sound the alarm” because a dark day and large fires are coming!!! This is a people acquainted with grief and death. They are given instructions amid their sorrowful crying:

“Tell (you tell) your children of it and let your children tell their children and their children another generation.”

It does not say send them to Sunday school or Children’s church so you can hear the preacher without distraction. It doesn’t say” put the teens in a different room so they can express themselves either. It emphatically commands us to pass on what we know of God and His word and warnings. You, Me, We must tell the next generation and that means that generations must spend time together. I know this is very counter cultural, but God wants these groups to work together. We have much to learn from one another. Ultimately REVIVAL CAN NOT, WILL NOT, SHOULD NOT come unless it is multi-generational. Why? It’s Gods’ heart and plan – Kingdom stuff. It’s always been His “jam” to include and value everybody. That does not mean separate groups aren’t necessary they just shouldn’t be exclusive all the time. I’ve seen senior citizens fall into depression as they fear no one has need of them any longer. I’ve seen teenagers rebel when they thought no one cared or loved them. God put the single in families and He put the old and young together so they can mutually support, encourage and build.

Gods Spirit (where welcome) will bring about social rearrangement and change. “All distinctions – sex, age, class or social position – will be natural. In the Christian tradition this hope finds expression in Paul’s daring assertion in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free…male nor female…”[2]

When we see the Spirit being poured out, in a real authentic way we can compare it to these scriptures. If it is God, not all will wear polo shirts and blue jeans. Not all will sing Hymns and insist on the organ playing. Some up front, preaching, teaching and prophesying will be women, teens. Some will be black, some white and some may even be Democrat. Or Republican. Tesla and Harley drivers must figure it out because once the YOM (Day) comes – it will be too late. The Day of the Lord won’t wait for the stragglers and the dawdlers, and the cynics, we must be ready! Yom Yahweh – it’s HIS day and He gets to decide who is invited to the party.

Joel teaches us how to prepare and it’s not referring to Bible college. He prophesies “awake”. That is not just in the morning but to awake in our Spirits to hear God. I’ve been teaching my kids (and myself) that when you rise in the morning you need to get your spirit ready to hear and obey God. Get your heart right before you even jump out of bed – it makes things easier. Let God get in the first word and the direction for the day before your mind gets anxious and redirects you. Are we spiritually awake or asleep in our generation?

In Joel, we are reminded who God is and what He is like. He could have left them to wonder. He could have let the darkness and chaos cause them anguish, but God tells them through Joel that  – He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and kind. He wants to be known and He wants joy and fresh wine for His family. He longs for people to repent and to avoid judgment. God teaches them and us to:

Gather, sanctify, repent and prepare.

Is that in your day planner for this week? God requires us to do that because when we do that, there is a promise that God will FULLY RESTORE. Even better than that-He will allow us to KNOW that He is the Lord, our God. Knowing God is the best gift ever. That comes first and then God promises to pour out His spirit on ALL flesh. He talks about rivers and a Fountain coming out of the house of God. The house, not brick and mortar but the gathering of the people of God. This Fountain will cause sons and daughters to prophesy. We will see restored, Spirit-led daughters proclaiming, prophesying and walking in their calling. Not just in the Children’s ministry or serving up casseroles but sharing God’s word, God’s heart, and both men and women will be working together for the Kingdom. Not for a quota –but for full operation of the gifts God has poured out to build HIS kingdom. It cannot, will not, should not, be done without ALL. It’s HIS Kingdom plan and it’s glorious!

Listen to Joel: YOU – all women, men, young, old and every color:

Put in the sickle for the HARVEST IS RIPE!   The Harvest is ripe, and the workers are not abundant, they are FEW. Why? We need joy, we need new wine, we need that promised fountain and we need ALL, anyone, everyone who can pick up a sickle and use it! To what end? To bring in the Harvest. Women, the hour is late, if you need a word Joel has spoken and speaks it to you  NOW- Put in the sickle. That’s God’s command, whether anyone agrees with you or not, God planned and plans to use YOU.   

“Get you down, for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decision, the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

It’s time to put away our biases, lusts, stereotypes and divisions. The DAY OF THE LORD is near. We can all repent and cry out to God for a time of restoration and rescue. His blood has cleansed us (meaning to hold innocent, leave unpunished, acquit) and God wants to still cleanse us. Christs’ blood and the Holy Spirit have been poured out. What hinders you?

If we want New wine, promises, and a flowing Fountain in our midst– this is how. We rend our hearts and not our garments. We turn to the Lord. Do you or I need restoration? Yes. That comes from Jesus, not anything else. We must get back to obeying God and His word rather than man’s opinions. He desires to rescue, deliver, and save EVERYONE – before the Yom Yahweh, the Day of the LORD….

Joel 2:16 “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those that suck the breasts, let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber and the Bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers, weep between the porch and the altar and let them say

‘SPARE Thy people O Lord                                 and give not Thine heritage to reproach…”

RenaeRoche2025

Sound of the Shofar – Youtube

Hear, oh Hear Gods people, the alarm has sounded and is sounding now. Rend your hearts and get in place for the Day of the Lord approaches quickly. 

[1] (Facebook, anonymous accessed 4/28/25)

[2] Sargent, James. Cokesbury Basic Bible Commentary Hosea-Jonah. P. 71

 

I have a confession to make. I went on a date with a wonderful man. Oh, my husband was aware of it. The man? Hosea. I went to a restaurant and immersed myself in Hoseas’ book of the Bible. Over crepes and coffee, I was able to hear about his whole life. I shared it with my server who was also intrigued. I picked up one commentary and found out it was written by one of my favorite professors in seminary. [1] In the middle of an ordinary day, I got to see into a window of a life that mattered to God and hear from a teacher all while enjoying crepes. It was a joyful experience. Stuarts commentary on Hosea is the best of all the ones I read.

The first thirteen chapters of this Biblical book, however, were ugly. You remember the story? The Lord has this precious man marry a very promiscuous woman (to put it mildly). You start really detesting her and feeling like she’s the epitome of all that’s bad and then you hear the Lord say that what really breaks his heart is when people walk away from Him – forget who He is. Ouch. 

That theme will continue throughout the Old Testament into the New Testament until His son (Gods’ only begotten) will tell us how God wants to be remembered – Do THIS, in remembrance of me –so you won’t forget. That “church thing” called communion is code for “Remember I’m your creator, remember I’m your Savior, remember I’m your healer and remember I’m your soon and coming King.” It’s a love story – front to back. You, dear friend are invited to His table because He wants to be with you. Did you forget?

The story line is that God made a “berit” with His people. That means covenant. It’s an agreement of love and law to guard that love– carried out by two faithful parties. The problem was that God was faithful –but the people were anything but faithful. Stuart in his commentary points out that they treated the covenant like “dirt.” God warns them repeatedly – do not make alliances with other nations that are against me. Do not trust in idols or mighty kings to deliver you – just trust in me. But they wander, they choose thrills and shortcuts and everything and everyone under the sun to help them– except God. Yes, God is loving and faithful, but this book shows us He is also angry and jealous, with good reason.

I won’t include all the punishments and judgements here but basically all thirteen chapters of Hosea are about them. Why? God wanted their attention, their hearts. He tries in multiple ways to warn them, cajole them, redirect them. The word in Hebrew is “SHUV” which means to repent. Until repentance happens, they are still heading in the wrong direction. Just adding new behaviors won’t undo the damage done – then or now. Yikes!

But wait a minute – screech! There’s a full stop here and in chapter fourteen – the last chapter of this horrific account of Hoseas life and warnings, come some promises. Weary readers get discouraged after all the damage and judgement, but the best part is the comeback, the turnaround. I left the BEST promise out for you to discover and put some of the lesser promises on Facebook – the promise of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn. Agricultural people would get these symbols right away. There was no internet, newspaper or cell phone to communicate. God chose visuals to demonstrate what they already understood.

The Lily – when they came back to God (collectively) they would look and smell like a FIELD of lilies, innocent, beautiful and fragrant. Previously God said they were “odious” that means bad smelling. Rotten, wicked sinners would be turned into beautiful flowers, once dormant, now blossoming. Return – this will be the result.[2]

Olives – in studying olives we learned this month that they are known for their longevity. There are trees beyond 2,000 years old today, still producing fruit. They are also known for their resilience. Frost, fire, wind and other disasters have leveled olive tree fields, and they came back up as if nothing happened. Incredible! I love comeback stories. Olives have long been known for their sacred use in oil for candles, peace offerings and ceremonies. This visual would also bring reminders of Noah and the Temple offerings. [3]

Corn / grain – Stalks of corn that grew from small seeds spring up to great heights and produce fruit that feed people and livestock. It is a picture of provision and sustenance. When God (Jehovah Jireh) brings a people back to Himself He provides for them and brings them from a “stuck place,” a “dormant place” to a place of fruitfulness. Anyone need that promise? The equation does NOT require talent, pedigree, wealth or knowing the “right people.  Shuv- as Walter Kaiser, Jr. used to tell us students, means “they needed a shuv in the right direction.” That direction is Jesus, and we need Him for any change, any promise, and any comeback. It is God that causes anyone to rise from a fall- turn to Him and quickly!

I don’t know which of these visuals you need but all three would be helpful, right? It comes not just as a blessing God dumps on everyone like the Spring rain, it comes to those in right relationship with Him. It is a promise to those, no matter how sin laden, to receive. The condition for that blessing? Repent and return, first. If you have forgotten God, walked away, or tiptoed away or full on committed spiritual or physical adultery or idolatry, the way back is the same – repent, return. Then God, not effort or strength, will make you (whoever you are) white as snow and you will receive the promises of the Lily, the Olive, and the Corn.

There are other visuals in this book like the promise of dew, fresh on the ground, watering the arid places. I’ll stick to these for this blog but the whole book is packed with intense descriptions and symbols. God used every tool available to draw them to His heart. After thirteen chapters of pain and suffering, God promises them fruitfulness, reward and abundance – if they return and remain faithful to Him. These weren’t strangers, they were His chosen people, His Bride. 

DON’T FORGET GOD! Remember His name, to walk with Him. That is the wise thing to do. It is the only thing to do. God did not and does not make relationship with Him difficult – return, repent and receive (Him and His blessings). He does all the work; you get all the benefit. He’s a faithful, loving, God and the only time He withdraws or is silent is when He wants to get our attention, so we don’t miss out on His fellowship or promises. Consider that – He is faithful, loving and kind. When we don’t deserve it – He is still faithful.

Saint – do you look like a lily field today? An olive tree field? A corn field?

If you don’t – return to God and He will bring you from dormancy to resiliency, from broken to blessing, from thirsty to thriving… you get the idea. Just a prayer, start with a prayer then get connected with the word and word people. Do you smell that? I pray it’s the scent of lilies.

RenaeRoche2025

[1] Stuart, Doug. Hosea / Joel. Word Commentary.

[2] www.Neubauersflowers.com accessed 3/31/25.

[3] www.Olivemypickle.com  accessed 3/31/25.

 

 

His Kingdom? It’s the one that shall not be destroyed. There will be no Republicans or Democrats gaining power or control, no competition and infighting. His dominion shall endure to the END. Fraud won’t happen on His watch and families will all be welcome. Everybody wins when God is in charge. Sounds utopian? It’s real and one day that Kingdom will be in full reign. Daniel gave us a glimpse of what that will look like and a front row seat to see his trials.  (Youtube:Ancient of Days)

As I write this month I have ashes on my forehead – a Lenten symbol and tradition that goes way back. In my early years the Lenten season was a big deal but in later years the church culture I was a part of did not observe it. After much research into the Old Testament festivals I realized that Martin Luther and others tried to arrange them into Christian type events– grafting them into modern church culture. Sometimes they were spot on and at other times it turned into legalism. Omitting them from our practice is not good because we miss out on beautiful truths God wants to teach us –if they are done in the  Spirit and with wonder and hope. The church that remembers the origins of some of these celebrations and sacraments can benefit tremendously. Revival and beauty arise out of “sackcloth and ashes.”

Daniel is full of signs, wonders and prophecies and because I have some deep theological thinkers that read this page I am admittedly too scared to tackle some of them. They point not only to a coming Messiah but also to the inclusion of Gentiles and specifics about the end of all days. I’ll leave that for the scholars to debate and private discussion and  instead will share the things that impacted our family.

Joe and the boys regularly said this month that Daniel had a “transformational”, not a transactional relationship with God. He wanted to be righteous more than just merely being heard. We discovered that his prayer life, three times a day, was greater than ours and that was convicting– so we stepped it up and saw more miracles, healing etc. but most importantly we saw more of God. Not only personally but also  more people coming to Christ, more physical healing, etc. Daniel is said to have served his God “continuously” and we found gaps in our week where we were not focused on His presence or promises. Following after Christ should be 365, 24/7 and not just on Sundays. We’ve said that forever but when we actually looked at our schedule there are gaps where worship or prayer were not as high on the priority list. Does God fault us for that? I don’t believe so, because He is full of grace but it seems we are the ones that get the short end of the stick when we don’t press in for those missing gap hours of being close to Him. The longer you position yourself under the “spout where the glory comes out” as the old time saints used to say, the more you experience His presence. God is living and active today – just as much as He was in Daniels time. I do not see many seeking God, with as much fervor as Daniel, myself included. It will be tragic to find out in Heaven that the only reason God did  not do more signs, wonders and miracles was because we did not dare to ask and believe!

When I was researching Ash Wednesday, there were several Biblical notes on why it is observed. I recognized Mordecai praying and fasting with sackcloth and Ashes for Queen Esther and Jonah fasting for Ninevah, but I was not as familiar with that practice in Daniel. Maybe its because we focus on the answer to his prayer and miss the practice beforehand? When he believed the nation was heading for ruin, he sat in sackcloth and ash – a type of repentance. He humbled himself before his God, put on ashes to demonstrate his contrition and repentance and then prayed for his nation. You don’t see a million man march or his female counterparts dressing in a certain color in protest. Hmm? No, instead he, Daniel, goes to his knees in prayer and seeks God, talks to Him with great intensity about what is happening in the nation around him. His words are passionate and a timely prayer we can say for our nation today:

 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

⁷ “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. ⁸ We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; ¹⁰ we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. ¹² You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. ¹³ Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. ¹⁴ The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

¹⁵ “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

After this prayer, look what takes place, 9:26   While I was speaking {intensely!!} and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for His holy hill— ²¹ while I was still in prayer, speaking {intensely!!} Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He instructed me and said { intensley!!} to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. ²³ As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly BELOVED/ esteemed. 

Prayers are not neutral. They don’t just make sound as they exit our lips and stay there. They are active and there is One who Hears. My favorite line in Daniels prayer is when he states, “we do not pray because we are righteous but because You are merciful.” That is a mouthful!  He is counting on a loving heavenly Father to intervene. What faith! What trust!

If one person reading this prays for our nation -there is a reaction in Heaven. One, just one. We count on leaders, church members and government representatives to do that but if they are busy and don’t, there is no response in Heaven.  Are you the next Daniel? 

This is what impresses me about a man or woman of God – they stand in the gap for their families and country. Any ol slob can spout off their hatred for a party or leader. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to watch Fox news or CNN and parrot what’s being said. The complainer gets air time and people think they “understand” the way things really are but they don’t actually fix anything. Prayer warriors – they shoot heavenly prayer requests up to God and with every whisper of every prayer – a reaction occurs and an answer is sent back. Message received.

Daniels friends were threatened and they get thrown in the furnace – but they were not burned by the fire. Their enemies did however.

Daniel is threatened and he gets put in the lions’ Den – but was not destroyed in the Lion’s mouth.  His enemies were however.

Daniels’ nation is in danger because of the enormous sins of the people rebelling against God– but their end changes. Heaven is summoned to bring God’s solution and it is sent. We pray not because we are righteous– but because HE IS MERCIFUL. All day, every day. It doesn’t say He shall be merciful or possibly might consider listening to us or potentially He will extend grace hopefully in the future. Now, in this moment, right now GOD IS MERCIFUL.

Earlier Daniel lets us know that GOD IS ABLE. In chapter 9 we are told that GOD IS MERCIFUL. That means compassionate, tender, caring. That equates to being a prayer- hearing, answering and sending God. It is His character and we can trust Him. We can prepare for the furnace and the Den. Or we can learn from Daniel to pray. 

This book is filled with Aramaic phrases that tell us Daniel and His God were passionate in their communication – fiery, loud, and intense. As this book progresses, we see the transformational relationship they had. Daniel stepped up, he stepped in, then he stepped out in power and victory. Note his response to the King is a SHOUT instead of a whisper while standing before hungry lions!

Do you want results in your Christian walk? Results come from God– but our part is to pray, to serve continuously and to learn from the fiery trials around us so we can be who God needs us to be in this hour. Daniels example is not lukewarm,  it is fiery hot and continuous. It is matched by his trials and fiery outcomes. He has perpetual persecution, engages in prevailing prayer and proves his God is providentially powerful. 

First Peter 4 says it like this: “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. … And in vs. 12: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

May our lives and the fruit from our lives reflect the same God that Daniel served.

RenaeRoche2025

The Book of Ezekiel

 

When people go rogue and society becomes dark, it not only affects our Spiritual health,  vision, and emotional fortitude, it impacts our physical and mental health as well. Ezekiel was chosen to become a priest. Priesthood may have been passed from father to son so it’s possible this was a dream since he was a little boy. His installation as a priest would have been the same year he was exiled. Imagine praying, preparing to have this prime spot only to end up on the bank of a channel with a bunch of smelly reprobate captives. He sat there as a fellow prisoner of a radical king in a pagan nation.  It looked bleak, and for Ezekiel, it looked OVER.

We don’t have all of Ezekiels  narrative in this book, but it might have sounded something like this, “WHY God?”, “What did I do to deserve this?”, “Is this how you treat Your own?” “How did I end up here?”  Maybe you have said something like this recently or when things you thought were going to go a certain way – didn’t. We hear words like this when people pass away, or divorce or fall ill. It stinks, and causes us to question our identity, life and calling. 

Sometimes it even causes us to question God.

Pause for a second — note that God doesn’t freak out and tell Ezekiel that his destiny has been obliterated. God wasn’t shocked that Ezekiels’ plans were ruined or say “Oops, I didn’t see that one coming.” He also does not go silent in hopes that Ezekiel can figure it all out on his own. God doesn’t give Ezekiel a cliché “everything happens for a reason”. Nope. Instead, the God of the Universe starts moving towards Ezekiel.  I love this! Maybe God loved His minister more than his ministry or stones of the Temple? 

This is incredible – whatever angels or host or creatures were in the Heavenlies are now chasing down an exiled prophet. (The next time we see a light show like this will be while Shepherds watched their flock one night in the New Testament).  In Ezekiel, the angelic come close In a moving vehicle we still can’t figure out. Respect. Remember, there’s no social media at this time, no Tesla, no airplanes, no drones….

The glory of God (that was believed to live  in Jerusalem) elevates into the sky and transports to where Ezekiel is sitting with other   captives.  That is amazing!  The Holy God was still reaching His people.  Their God was not only living, and active (unlike the idols) their God followed them! He’s was coming for them.  God made sure that His priest was NOT ALONE.  He came for him.  That speaks volumes to me. This special, host travel crew came to bless and inspire. He was not a prodigal but the nation he was part of –certainly were prodigals as they had rebelled against God. Their hearts were idolatrous long before they ended up by the waterfront.

Guilt is when a man (or woman) does wrong things, or does something bad. Shame is when a person is bad.  These people were hardened, stubborn, and had turned from God to lesser loves and foreign idols. Their hearts were fake, plastic, and not responsive to God at all. They could add all the sprinkles and frosting possible but their hearts underneath were dry and stale.

Ezekiel’s Heavenly visitation refreshed him, and he began to teach, and prophesy.  The “company” showing up gave him courage. Perhaps God had to send angelic company because he was in such bad company. Their appearing strengthened and probably scared him.

The NIV tells us God told him, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” The NLT states it like this: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

It was the love of God that ran after Ezekiel in a foreign land. 1 John 4:19 tells us “We love because He first loved us.” Though Ezekiel was carried away in exile, though the holy temple was gone – God was still with him, God was still THERE. God’s love chased him down, ran after him, followed him to the new place. That new place became a dwelling for God, a place for His presence so Ezekiel names the city “Yahweh is there” – that place, that’s where God is – there. We know He is there because of the evidence– fruit, love, joy, life. That’s how we know God is “there” – in one’s heart,  family or local church. When God is there, He leaves a trail – a trail of fruit, healing and life.

Before we proceed with this story, how is your heart today? Fresh, renewed, responsive? Or is your heart burdened with idolatry, bitterness or shame? What God promised Ezekiel is also promised to us today. If we confess our sins and ask God to give us a new heart and life, He will come dwell with us and give us a brand new heart – FREE from guilt and shame (See the Good news page for more information).

Then Ezekiel gets some visual downloads from God. He does street theater to explain God’s word to people, and then, Ezekiel is shown a picture (Chapter 47) of a river. Not the small channel of despair where they gathered after being exiled. No, this little stream would surge into a raging river. It started small and then grew in depth and strength. In this book we see many pictures of the Holy Spirit – wind, fire, flood, earthquake, river.

In contrast, when sin runs rampant, it spoils everything, it depresses people, it corrodes communication, it spills over into abysmal rot. When God’s spirit spills over, it rises, brings fruit. It turns into Garden of Eden-type blessings. We can compare this River to the one in Revelation – full of healing and life. Ezekiel had a preview of one day hearts being changed and fresh, one day the river bringing healing and life. Then all will know where the Lord is at, He’s in the new city -there.

The Hebrew word for “THERE” is Sham. It means He’s not just with the religious buildings or sacred cities. HE follows us, He oversees us, He chases His own down to guide, love and make things new. After hearing a sermon last week on the River. I silently prayed while in a few settings and circumstances, “Lord, bring your river to this place, this situation.” Each and every circumstance changed for the better. He waits for us to invite Him in. He longs to bring His river to our broken places, our failures. His desire is to bring Heaven TO ME, TO YOU. Undeserved, unearned. How was your day? Well, God was there. How do you know? Well, because He brought Himself, He brought joy, He brought fruit, He brought peace.

Without repentance God will judge. His holiness requires that, but with repentance, God will move Heaven and earth to come to whatever dark place we are in. He will take away our shame and replace it with His very presence – SHAM – He will be there. Do you hear the echoes of “for lo I am with you, even to the ends of the earth?”

Wherever you are sitting – exiled, broken, weary–Let God bring change. Repent of sin, ask God in and allow His River to flow in you, in your circumstances and watch Him move. His word gives hope –and promises us that He will be THERE.

“There is a River, that flows from deep within. There is a fountain that frees my soul from sin. Come to the River… there is a vast supply, there is a River, that NEVER shall run dry.”

Maybe this Valentines month, you would like a real new, fresh heart. Not a glittery, plastic or shiny one, but one that is responsive, yielded to God? God still says, “Be MINE”. He’s watching, He’s waiting and coming for YOU. Will you welcome Him, invite Him in?

RenaeRoche2025

Welcome to 2025!

                                                                                                    The Book of Lamentations                                                    update edit 1/6/25 

Do you know anyone who is lonely, isolated or estranged? Anyone who is grieving, devastated, enslaved, who weep bitterly every night, and feel oppressed?  Our world is full of people described just like that – in churches, businesses and homes.

In the chaos of our culture, we have become numb to people talking about their issues, problems and pain. We see it on the news, we experience it in the streets, and in relationships. It is not meant to be that way, so why is it?

In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah (or perhaps his secretary Baruch) wrote poems with prayers and  lament. A lament is an expression of grief, regret or sorrow. Each poem begins with an acrostic and it contains the mourning of God’s people. This section shares a people who remembered the joy of God’s favor but now are feeling the affliction of God’s wrath. It’s one thing to feel oppressed, it’s another thing to realize that the all loving God  is the One bringing the pain. Keep in mind this book is pre-Savior.  

Hear the three main “cries” in Chapter one, and evaluate your last year or ten years – is it similar?

1. There is no one to comfort
2. There is no rest
3. There is no one to help

The audience of this book had the Torah,  oral tradition and prophecies, but not a whole Bible like we have today. How unbearable!  No comfort, no rest, no help – all signs of judgment. They were getting opposite of what GOD wanted for them.

This is not only the plight of the lost, this is the state of the soul estranged from God. This was the result of sin.

Sometimes suffering this can be from warfare or circumstances — true,  but it can also be the fall out from alienation with God. It can be the result or a broken relationship with Him. It is not Gods’ heart or desire for us. Comfort means there is consolation, pity, and compassion. We all need it, we all want it and we hope God will be that for us. Remember that we now see God’s character thru Jesus but the people in that day did not trust God was good or know He had their back. They only knew that one day, a Messiah would come that would break yokes, care for the poor, comfort the oppressed and help them in their suffering (see Is.58, Jer.29).  

Judgment means there is constant work and worry –no rest. No place or person to be at ease with – a home, a marriage, a purpose that keeps you going. There is no  state of rest or peace– because before Christ they had to sacrifice for all sin. Their debt was owed, their guilt remained. They ceased to seek God or go to the Temple. Help is more than just support, it is protection, being surrounded and receiving aid. God had been their present help in time of need, now they say there is no one. The Lamentations are cries as they see the result of turning away from GOD.

In the very first book of the Bible, we hear God telling Adam that it is not good for man to be alone. His Father grants him someone to console and support him, and Eve is his helpmate. A gift from God.  But then we see loneliness come back when Adam stops walking with God. His labor intensifies as he misses God’s voice and becomes Eves sole source of comfort, rest and help.  Relationships without God look like this- weary, worn out from trying to replace all that God wants to be in that persons life.  Here in Lamentations, we are told the city, the nation, and the Individual have no comfort, no rest, no help. It is a state of utter chaos and pain. 

Why?  They remembered when things were good and God’s blessing was on them. Those who have never felt comfort, rest or help have nothing to remember to bring them back.  It must be shared  so they can know and feel it. Comfort, rest and help are signs God is near and reveal Jesus.

The author of Lamentations tells us the suffering and trials are because of transgression and sin, that things have broken down and become such a crisis. The Lord not only allowed it but brought it. Yikes, that’s bad news but it would lead them back to their Source.

Transgressions can be moral, religious, or national. They stem from trespasses. My husband Joe said if you read the “ingredient list” on a can of transgression, rebellion would be the top item listed. Rebellion is opposed to what is good and right.  In our day we say people “erred” or “made a mistake” perhaps a blunder, but the word of God says transgressions separate us from a holy God. Sins are different from transgressions. They are mess-ups with blame, guilt-inducing errors from when we go wrong. We can go against a holy God or we can disobey when we block His leading to do something right.  We want to alleviate others’ guilt so they feel good,  but sometimes things go wrong because of God showing us where we turned away from HIM. A pill, a therapist or a pastor cannot make you feel better if it is God behind the life lesson. We must check our hearts and invite  God to change us with His with grace. (Note of caution: not all suffering is a sign of sin, this is specific to broken relationship with God and the absence of the blessing that comes with it.)

The author and  poet tells us that the highways of their day were “crying” and rising up in sadness for the loneliness of those who no longer came for the set festivals or gathered assemblies. Netflix and Doordash can never replace fiery worship and preaching! Not only the rocks were crying out, but Highway 95 was buckling under the mourning of the absence of feet heading to the Temple. The people no longer pounded the pavement to make it to church, no longer came in droves to praise God or seek His face.  Pretty intense visual. I don’t want to make the highways cry for the longing of my family’s feet! There are times when sickness, weather or work prevent an occasional absence but when whole groups of people are going down other paths, there is a serious, spiritual problem. When people stop encountering God and others in the service, they will vote with their feet. When hearts go tepid, lukewarm or turn selfish, no church in the world can keep them. It won’t just limit church attendance, it will crush a nation. HELP! The absence of these things is a warning sign for Gods people. Who is in need of Comfort, Rest or Help? Hear the alarm, hear the Lord, we must hear the cries, they alert us to a people in need of a comforter, a burden bearer and helper.  If they could speak, what are the highways by your house or church saying this morning?

Transgressions and sins caused God to pause. He let them try things their own way.

Transgressions and sins allowed chaos to overwhelm and overpower them.  He let them feel the loss of His comfort, rest and help.

It is a sad book. It can’t be preached away or simplified by saying God is always good and it must have been the” devil at work”. It (the crime, agony, isolation, pain, betrayal) was caused by their choices. That was not God’s ideal plan for them. Sin failed them.

Let me ask you a question. Is there comfort, rest, and help for you today?  For our nation?

We have an epic carnal problem. Doing our ”own thing” has bankrupted us and our nation. Moral corrosion spreads – to Democrats, Republicans, saints and sinners. If we address it, we might just find our way back to God’s grace. If we face it– we might just begin to see that all along God has provided Comfort, Rest and Help through Jesus. There are happier books to read but this one shares Gods’ solution – turn back to Him. 

Fast forward to the scene at the nativity,  fast forward to the empty tomb – Jesus was, is, and will be our COMFORT, REST, and HELP. Those things are not just random verbs, they represent a person, a Savior with a plan and His name is Jesus. Not just for this election cycle but for EVERY cycle. This January 2025, are you Enslaved? Lonely? Overwhelmed? Tired? Crying? Bitter?  Betrayed, afflicted? Wouldn’t you rather be supported with Comfort, Rest and Help? Return, we must all return. Return to the One who is waiting for us. 

God spoke (and speaks) through Lamentations and let them and us know the root cause of these devastating issues. He was resolved to bring us the solution. It is dark now, but it does not have to be or stay that way. Help is on the way!  Rest is on the way!  Comfort is on the way!

We need Comfort. We need Rest. We need Help. We were not made to be alone.

We need our transgressions and sins to be cleansed and forgiven. Now is the day…

God is good. We need to make room for Him in our hearts by asking Him to clear out the transgressions and sins in our lives. He’s willing – we need to let Him know we are willing – to live His way- holy. Then He will push back the chaos and bring back the favor and joy.  I can’t think of a better way to start 2025 than turning to God, asking for forgiveness for our transgressions and sins, and letting Him become these three things in our lives. Quite the package deal – Comfort, Rest and Help. Come Lord Jesus!

RenaeRoche2025

ps.  Please share with us your story. 

 

As a single woman, I had a list of things I wanted in my “future husband.” I wanted someone patient and hard working like my dad, a good mentor like my coach, a wise person like my pastor, etc. I had things I was “looking” for in a spouse and knew I would recognize the right person when I recognized those signs, i.e., godly traits (James 1:17). My husband is a gift from the Lord and I’m grateful for those “clues” along the way for what God wanted for me. God wants us to “see” what He sees, what He is looking for in any given circumstance. That requires that we pause to get Gods’ perspective.

Did you know God left clues  in the Old Testament prophets, so that people could recognize His Savior when He came? While reading the Nativity story this month, I noticed similarities with Jeremiahs’ story. It was not all roses, there were terrifying dangerous events in both of their lives. Then I stumbled upon a brilliant commentary (The Expositors Bible Commentary, Vol.6) where Charles Feinberg  makes 16 points on how the life of Jesus is foreshadowed by the life of Jeremiah. The similarities are shocking: [1]

Compare their historical setting, their message, their mention of nature,  their  priest and kingly family backgrounds, their call, their condemnation of commercial worship, their persecution and imprisonment, their foretelling of the destruction of the Temple, they both wept and prayed over Jerusalem even after being told to stop, they both condemned other priests of their day, they were both rejected by their kin, they were both tenderhearted suffering servants, they both loved Israel deeply, they both knew deep loneliness, they both enjoyed unique fellowship with God.[2]

We are given clues to recognize the Lord’s work and plan. While they were waiting to see the future hope, God was working.

While Jeremiah renounced the sins of his day and announced that judgment was coming, God was working. With every mention of judgment, they were told that if they repent and return, then blessings and hope would come. Sadly, they refused to hear. When they beat Jeremiah, he was still holding out hope they would change. When they mocked him, he was still continuing to pray for them. That didn’t mean Jeremiah missed God.

Jeremiah can be a hard read. It is the longest book in the Bible and sometimes a bit heavy. But we, like the people in the Old and New Testament, need the reminder. If we do not think we need it, then we need it most. We would much rather read the promises and hear of hope. Hope in Jeremiahs economy looks like this- first God will break the skewed foundations, that which is built on human ingenuity, personality, or idols (substitutes) and then when the rubble is cleared, He will rebuild a correct foundation. The hope and promises are guaranteed because God, the sovereign God will build it the way it should have been built in the first place- masterfully and according to His will. Break, build, remake, seems to be Gods’ thing. Let me give some examples for us to consider and apply:

1. God has a surgical knife and will use it if necessary.
   Whether it is China, Russia, or North Korea we are always aware that other nations have the potential to harm our nation. The news has been full of possibilities lately. God reaches nations when we pray. Babylonians with new names, are still a threat. Huang Sabin writes in his commentary that Jeremiah told the people God was going to use a heathen nation as a “surgical knife” to fix their infectious disease of sin. Ouch. They would be a tool in Gods’ hand. God is still capable of that today. God can send Babylonians our way if we do not continue praying and watching, repenting for our sins. We need to find God and see what He is doing –personally and in the nations! We need to watch and pray.
2. God is a jealous God and will not “share” us with other gods. No substitutes.

Several large ministry leaders fell morally this past year.  It grieves our hearts. Not only did these leaders not turn to God for their needs but they wrecked other marriages. H. Sabin in his commentary on Jeremiah writes, “God never blames us for being thirsty, only for drinking from the wrong source. He will not tolerate us looking for “substitutes.” God has to break us in order to remake us.”  Moral failure is a sure way to have your life and ministry crumble. If you stack pressure on top of integrity issues or misplaced values, it will all topple. Jeremiah warned us of this. Repentance is the key. Repentance is not a word we hear of very often in our culture but it was a staple in Jeremiahs’ messages. It simply means to go back to God and His ways, His will.  Jeremiah’s message of a future hope (29:11) comes on the heels of God first telling His people they will be utterly destroyed and all their idols removed. They ignored the “if” statements and continued on with business as usual. 

It’s like on Christmas morning, your kids get that special toy new out of the box but it won’t work. You read the directions, and it states: Batteries required. You were told but raced forward without doing the basics. Yes, there is hope and yes God intends to bless but FIRST insert repentance, cleansing and turn back to God. Where there are no altars or crying out to God– there will be no revival – batteries are required. The Maker told us that, it should be no surprise.  It’s foundational to Gods’ plan. Good luck trying it any other way. It will be costly, wearisome and a colossal waste of time. The” juice or energy” is surrendering and yielding to God alone – repentance. Removing all other sources of energy and wisdom and solely relying on God for our strength and life is the message Jeremiah preached. His family was not thrilled but it was still truth.

 

The two sins Jeremiah targeted were rebukes from the Lord, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the Spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jer.2:13).” All the special “Christmas toys” are rubbish if they don’t have fresh batteries. All the hype and pomp of churches and Christians will be rubbish if we do not have a living fountain flowing inside–Personal salvation and regeneration. “The Temple, The Temple” they cried but their personal walks were abysmal. Jeremiah’s clues to us shout loudly through history.

Walter Kaiser in his commentary on the Old Testament tells us:

“For Jeremiah, the sole remedy for the sin of the nation lay in sincere repentance and following a life of obedience to the divine will. Jer.9:3 …. the vital necessity for the implementation of this hope of survival was the engraving of the divine law in the human heart and will, rather than on tablets of stone. …Jeremiah had nothing to say about a restored Temple and cultus, for his predominant concern was with a future that would be characterized by spiritual regeneration and moral purification in the lives of the Chosen people.”[3] (Give the people spiritual batteries or “the Temple” will not work).

3. Serving God requires testing and rejection, not popularity or man’s approval.
   During a prayer time earlier this year the Lord spoke to us that He was going to take down many in government and replace them with men and women after His heart. We, by accident or providence, were driving around Washington D.C. when the word came. It was hard to believe, especially in a short time period. The next Monday, everything started to change. We are now seeing that word come to pass. There are also many leaders being pulled into service who were outcasts even five years ago. I’m beginning to wonder if the ones’ God chooses to use are very far from the trendy folks seen on television today. Gods’ mouthpiece then, looked like “single, disliked by family, unpopular and constantly misunderstood and slandered”. What a job description! Persecution and opposition followed both Jeremiah and Jesus– yet they lived a holy life. They were both ridiculed and probably thought to be rebels or mentally ill, but they were God’s choice and divine messengers. They also both scrutinized the “political, social, moral, and spiritual life of the people”. Prophets, priests, kings, nobles, and even relatives could expect no favoritism from him.”[4] Maybe we have looked at our own models of leaders, instead of Gods’ and that is why we are missing the moral compass in our nation? Maybe we’ve exchanged Gods voice for sound bytes? Gods will  shall prevail. 

God forewarned Jeremiah that exile is coming. He told him, “you will be single, mocked, your works will be burned, your journals scattered”. Jeremiah waits because he has hope. His life was not amazing, or first glance successful, it was difficult – yet God used him greatly because Gods’ highest goal is not to make us happy but to make us HOLY. It’s truly not about us. His Kingdom shall have no end.

In your lonely place of prison, confinement, solitude Jeremiah, judgment is sure. Your messages will be ridiculed, your connections will be broken. Jeremiah waits because he has a promise of a holy Messiah deep within his veins. [5]

While in the miry, smelly, muddy earth, he may have hoped the leaders  would be supportive, but they were part of the hit squad–they were fallen, unrepentant.  LOOK TO ME, says the Lord to Jeremiah and us today, NOT THEM. They smote him, not the beggar or thief –but the ones pontificating on righteousness and rule. Yikes! But God still had HIS way, in spite of the people’s rejection and slander. God’s plan then and now will not, never be thwarted. Jeremiah waits because he knows, he watches because he hopes, that the only true One who is holy has promised him that He will come. That hope keeps his nose above the watery, muddy grave he stands in. That hope reminds him that only One is clean. Only One can cleanse, and that hope is his salvation. Jeremiah waits, hopes because he knows that God is true. God is holy.

We wait, we hope, we long for the Savior to appear. O come; o come Emmanuel. Then one night the Messiah, Emmanuel in a safe baby body is born, and the long, dark night of Jeremiah is enveloped in the promise he waited and watched for – and Hope personified appears. It is the night of our dear Saviors birth. Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. Suddenly an angel appeared, but for years and years the words of Jeremiah hung in silence, waiting for vindication.

Holy night came with a price. Holy night came after repentance reconnected a grieved God and a sinful soul. Jeremiah waited for God’s answer, promise and hope. We saw all of that in Jesus. Now, we eagerly wait for His return. May we repent, wait in hope, and receive all the promises and salvation He can give.

Batteries were provided for this precious Holy night.

Without sin and judgement, no salvation would be necessary. (Hear Cains song What a Friend and Michael Boggs song Oh Come Ye unfaithful).  May we remember Jeremiah had a glimpse of God and what He was doing, but he could not clearly see through history for the deliverance of His people. He could see the sign of the Almond Tree and boiling pot but could not clearly see the Redeemer born in a manger. He could only HOPE the message was true. You and I have that advantage. We know HOPE personified in Jesus has come and will come again.

I prefer not to be smote or mocked or persecuted. Being smote is not in my Dayplanner for 2025. I’m pretty sure Jesus preferred to not go to the cross or go through the pain of being a suffering servant. But that holy night  Jesus came into this world; He brought with Him the long awaited HOPE Jeremiah had been promised. He came for you and me and gave us what we needed, truly needed– to be reconnected to our holy Father. Forgiveness, reconciliation, wholeness for the unworthy was provided.  Judgment and hope in one man for the redemption of all. No substitutes, no idols.

Find time to reconnect with Jesus this season. The real one, not the television version. Repent of all sins and seeking other “solutions.”  Lay down all your strengths and weaknesses. Maybe even repent for looking up to Hollywood heroes (or preachers) , or actors, who have since fallen and for placing them on a pedestal in the first place. Accept the real hope that Jesus is returning and has prepared a place for you. A righteous God longs for fellowship with you, to give you a Hope and a Future.

O Come all ye unfaithful.[6] God sees your heart, your desires. He wants you now to see His.

May the words and life of Jeremiah inspire you. May his message come alive in your heart as you see Jesus afresh this season – hope that came alive on that O so holy night. Hope was no longer a dream, a prophecy, a fantasy. Hope was proven, provided. God came down, healing judgement and sin, providing a wonderful Future here and beyond. What do you see child of God? In this season, in this hour, what do YOU see?

Seeing Him with you this season,

RenaeRoche2025

*Edited 12/19/24 for clarification 

 

[1] Expositors Commentary of the Bible. Vol.6 Jeremiah by Charles Feinberg (summarized for space).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Kaiser, Walter. Old Testament Theology. P.820

[4] Feinberg, Charles. P.361

[5] See the Movie “Jeremiah” with Patrick Dempsey on Netflix.

[6] Boggs, Michael. O come all ye unfaithful. YouTube. New Christmas song 2025.