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