_Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain._
A MINISTRY MORALLY AWAKENING
In the first eleven verses of this chapter we have a continuation of
the address of the prophet to the priests of Judah. It was the duty of
the priests to blow the trumpet for the assembling of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his
path._
ORDER IS HEAVEN’S FIRST LAW
Reference is to the orderly march of locusts. Note the order which
reigns throughout the whole of God’s world. After this fashion there
should be order and arrangement in the Christian Church. Not... [ Continue Reading ]
_The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; who can abide it?_
THE JUDGMENTS WHICH SHALL ACCOMPANY THE DAY OF THE LORD
I. Judgments productive of great sorrow. “A day of darkness and of
gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness.” This imagery is
probably taken from the flight of locus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore also now, _saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your
heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.
THE CHARACTERISTICS AND ENCOURAGEMENTS OF TRUE REPENTANCE
I. That true repentance consists in the immediate turning of the soul
to God, in a mood of deep sorrow for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who knoweth but He will turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind
Him._
ENCOURAGEMENTS TO HOPE
I. The objects of the prophet’s hope.
1. That the Lord would return. This can only be in a way of
manifestation; all idea of place or motion being utterly incompatible
with a being who fills heaven... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctify a fast._
A PENITENTIAL ASSEMBLY
I. It must be an assembly which shall be solemn in the spirit in which
it meets. “Call a solemn assembly.” In all probability these words
refer to the legal purifications which were enjoined upon the people
prior to their entering upon the worship of the te... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then will the Lord be Jealous for His land, and pity His people._
THE DIVINE ATTITUDE TOWARDS REPENTANT SOULS
I. Toward repentant souls God is strict in the manifestation of a
jealous regard. “Then will the Lord be jealous for His land, and
pity His people.” Thus we see the change which repentanc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great
things._
THE INFLUENCE OF A REPENTANT SOUL UPON THE UNIVERSE AT LARGE
I. There is a tendency in the influence of a repentant soul to bring
back to the material universe the forfeited joy it was destined to
possess. “Fear not, O land... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will restore to you the years which the locust hath eaten._
THE GREAT RESTORER
Locusts are happily unknown in England. We have only the harmless
grasshopper here. Where plagues of locusts are known no one could
Wonder that the writer of this book should represent them as a
veritable army, leavin... [ Continue Reading ]
_And ye shall eat in plenty._
THE PROMISE OF PLENTY A MOTIVE TO GRATITUDE
I. The branches of this promise.
1. “Ye shall eat in plenty.” To eat and to eat in plenty, are
pleasures which threatenings have disjoined and separated.
2. Satisfaction. “Be satisfied.”
3. The body is refreshed and nouri... [ Continue Reading ]
_My people shall never be ashamed._
RELIGION, A SOURCE OF CONSTANT CONFIDENCE
Joel was the bearer of very heavy tidings. Their sins had exceeded the
bounds of Divine patience.
I. The character under which the persons mentioned in the text appear
before us. He calls them “My people.” This shows th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit
upon all flesh._
THE NEW GOSPEL ERA
The prophet had encouraged the nation to repentance by announcing the
temporal blessings which would be consequent thereon. They would get
the former rain, they would get the latter rain. The f... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and
fire, and pillars of smoke._
THE SIROCCO SUGGESTING PROPHETIC FIGURES
We have two kinds of sirocco--one accompanied with violent wind, which
fills the air with dust and fine sand; and one of a quieter kind,
which yet is often mere... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved._
This gracious promise is an instance of the merciful providence of
God, so universally displayed in His prophetic revelations, whereby,
in the midst of His severest threats of vengeance, He still reserve... [ Continue Reading ]