I have to tell you that I am loving the minor prophets right now. They seem so fresh to me and are challenging me in so many ways; like to study the Bible better, to see how to make the connection to "real life", and to learn more about the history of Israel.
Today we looked at the book of Joel. This small book is only three chapters long, jam packed with the rich theology I have come to love in the minor prophets. Mainly, wrath of God followed by the Love of God.
In Joel the wrath of God comes in the form of grasshoppers. These locusts have just come and gone leaving a gaping hole in the economy of Judah not short of the great depression. In fact, the book starts off challenging the people to see how great the devastation is, so great that their kids will talk about it, and grand kids, and great grand kids. Sounds similar to the American great depression, does it not?
The Locusts represent an even greater problem. Yes, it is a day of the Lord where justice has at last come to a country that has made the God of the universe a god among many...but the insects also represent an even greater army from the north that God is raising up to destroy the nation if they do not repent and return to the Lord.
That is the wrath of God. Followed quickly by the mercy and love of God. In 2:12-13 God speaks...
"Yet even now," declares the Lord "return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments."
Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindess, and relenting of evil.
This is the love of God. He doesn't want us to go through the motions. He wants us to stop putting on a show of our suffering and turn to Him (rend your heart, not your garments). When ever we suffer, it should push us back to God. Hopefully we don't suffer long. But when we suffer (whether it is from choices we make, choices others make, or the wrath of God) it should always point us back to God. He is there waiting for us to return, waiting for us to embrace him with our hearts.
Another thing that I am picking up in reading all of these minor prophets is the language. I sometimes sit and reflect about how these messages that I give can challenge me as well as the students. With all of these minor prophets challenging the people, a phrase that comes up a lot starts with "how long O...".
So in my life I wonder what it would sound like if the prophets were to follow me around for a week. They might say something like...
How long, O Johnny, will you continue to run after the things that do not satisfy? They are like salt, tasting so good at the time but leaving you thirsty for satisfaction.
How long, O Johnny, will you wait for "something" better to come along before you rest at the feet of Jesus? It is like you have a cookie, so sweet, yet wait for milk. Enjoy the blessings of God around you and be content with what God has given!
This is the language that I start to use around the house...it is sort of catchy.
Try this...imagine a prophet has followed you around for a week. What would he call you out on? You can post anonymously...but I would just be thrilled if you would start off each "challenge" with the same phrase. "How long, O soul, will you...(insert deepest darkest sin here)?
Lets see if we can encourage each other in a creative way, and get right with God in the process. Comment away!
much Love,
Johnny
1 comment:
How long, O children of God, you followers of the Way, will you continue to live in a way that is unpleasant to the Anointed One? The Lord your God has called you to live above sin. But you have gone and committed the worst kind of offense against your Father – you have placed an Asherah pole in your heart where the Spirit of the Lord resides. You have defiled the temple with male and female prostitutes who sell their wares and engage in detestable practices.
Those mutilators of the flesh! How long will you continue to let them rule in your heart and drag you away from the Heart of God? You have let them enter the Most Holy Place and give away the promises of Satan himself! I warn you, O Remnant, if you do not give back the temple to the Lord and burn the Asherah pole, your Temple will be shattered, and you will feel Jehovah’s presence no more.
I plead with you! Turn your back to the sin so rampant in your lives, so the Lord himself will rend your clothing and destroy all of your goods. He Himself will come and demolish the Asherah pole and the prostitutes; your lives will be as nothing, so that the heart of man can turn and see the Lord. Come see, O Blessed Believers: the Lord your God does not intend to harm you! For it is written:
“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
So turn your hearts to The Lord Saves – that is, Jesus – and rely on his power! He has come to make a great nation out of you, to carry you out of your sorrow and bring you into the light. Rejoice and be glad in the Spirit, and He will carry you into His arms. In all of this, praise be to Elohim! Amen.
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