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The Old Testament prophets often went unappreciated in their time. Little has changed today. Many Christians do not know the order of the OT prophets, and usually need some extra time looking up a Scripture reference from one of those books during a class or sermon. But these were men of God, speaking timeless truths, whose words bridge the span across the ages.
It is difficult to date the book of Joel because of the lack of precise historical or chronological information. What he says, however, is still disturbing. Whether it was before or after the exile in Babylon, Joel says there are economic difficulties (1:4), drunkards (1:5), people who have abandoned God (1:13), and an enemy for whom the nation is unprepared (2:3-9). This sounds like America, doesn’t it? America is deep in debt and getting deeper. Substance abuse is everywhere. Atheism is on the rise. Islam grows as a threat to the West.
Joel’s prophecy speaks to America today nearly as easily as it did to its original audience. But rather than focusing on the bad things and developing a case of “Chicken Little Syndrome,” we should pay attention to Joel’s message from God, telling the people to “blow a trumpet in Zion” (2:1) and “return to me with all your heart…and rend your hearts and not your garments” (2:12-13).
There will always be concerns in the world, whether it is violence, evil, or war. But we also remember that in the very last words of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The problems we see around us should motivate us to make a difference. The most comforting thing about it is that we aren’t alone in our efforts.
Dewayne Bryant
Church of Christ
Rush Springs, OK