Into Thy Word__________________________ Instructions to Follow 2 Hear this, you elders, And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers? 3 Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation. [1] The prophet gives us four instructions to follow when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, instructions that should be heeded by individuals and nations. Hear (1–4). Listen to God’s Word and let Him interpret events for you. God raises up people to encourage us to turn to Him for help. Awake (5–7). When Joel looked at the dying vines and trees, he addressed the drinkers and told them to wake up and weep. But they should shed tears not because the wine is gone but because their sins have brought judgment on the land. Lament (8–18). The fields, orchards, vineyards, flocks, and herds were all ruined; and Joel called for the farmers to lament (v. 11) and for the priests to repent (vv. 13–14). It is time to seek the Lord! Cry out (19–20). The prophet set the example by crying out to God for His mercy and help. Perhaps he claimed God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14. It is not enough for us to weep over the sad consequences of our sins; we must also weep over our sins.[2] [1] The New King James Version. 1982 (Joe 1:2–3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). With the Word Bible Commentary (Joe 1:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:32:31 +0000