Day 177 – Joel: Overview of Joel’s timeline
“The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.” Joel 3:16 NLT
Though Joel spoke these words captured in this book and might have thought that it was only for Israel at the time, little did he know that his words would carry prophetic weight for judgment day.
Joel served as a prophet to Judah, possibly from 835 to 796 BC. Wicked Queen Athaliah seized power in a bloody coup but was overthrown after a few years. Joash was crowned king, but he was only seven years old and in great need of spiritual guidance. He followed God in his early years but then chose to live his own way, following a path of sin.
Joel’s main message is that of the plague of locusts that would come to discipline and destroy the nation. He called the people back to God before even greater judgment would occur.
The application of Joel’s message is that God judges all people for their sins, but He is also merciful to those who turn to Him and offers them eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and the promise of salvation and that we, Your children, will spend eternity in Your presence. Holy Spirit, please make us aware of the sin in our lives so we can repent from it and ask God for forgiveness. Amen.
