Having not long preached on the Old Testament prophet Joel, as part of The Bridge Church series on the Minor Prophets, I was struck by the repeated uncertainties and ambiguities in this short prophecy.
Immediately, in 1.1, we are introduced to Joel the son of Pethuel. We know nothing about Pethuel. And there is no reference to a reigning king, nor to the nation being addressed. An invading army is mentioned, but not identified as Assyrian or Babylonian, or perhaps someone else.
Whilst the description of locusts (1.4) is likely to be a literal locust invasion, the description of the Day of the Lord, starting in 2.2, might be a locust army, or a human army? He speaks of ‘a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness!’ Is the desolate wilderness (2.3) the consequence of actual locusts? Are the war horses and chariots (2.4) literal? I suggest the ambiguity is deliberate.
Turning to another predictive text; ‘Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The LORD answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.’ (2.18-19); the verb tenses are mixed, past and future. Has this happened? Or will this happen? Of course, we are mindful that the Lord God sits outside our time.
The uncertainty that Joel seems to delight in turns us to God in prayer. He urges repentance in 1.14-20 and 2.12-17. The short phrases in the English translation communicate urgency. Its hard to read these sections slowly!
The central section (2.18-32) and the glorious conclusion (3.17-21) bring wonderful certainty. There is a glorious future for those who are God’s people. There is restoration and renewal. The devastation wrought by the locusts, whether literal or metaphorical, is more than reversed.
And, finally, eternally and certainly, the Lord dwells in Zion!