Day 133 · Part 8: Two Kingdoms
The Day of the Lord
In the Story
In context
Joel son of Pethuel names no king, and readers have placed him at different times. He tells of a land stripped by one swarm of locusts after another, with the grain, new wine and oil gone and even the offerings at the Lord’s house cut off (Joel 1:4–13). “Tell your children about it,” he says, “and have your children tell their children” (1:3).
The day of the Lord comes like an army that climbs into the houses (2:1–11). “Yet even now,” says the Lord, “turn to me with all your heart,” and Joel adds, “Tear your heart and not your garments,” tearing one’s clothes being the old sign of grief (2:12–13). Then comes the promise: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (2:25).
“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,” the Lord says, “and your sons and your daughters will prophesy” (2:28). At Pentecost Peter said, “this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel,” and Paul quotes Joel’s promise that whoever calls on the Lord’s name will be saved (Acts 2:16–17; Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32). The valley of Jehoshaphat, a name meaning “the Lord judges,” is where the nations are gathered for judgment (3:2, 12).
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
Acts 2:39 · Joel promised the Spirit to sons and daughters; at Pentecost Peter said, “the promise is to you and to your children.”
For families
Joel tells the elders, “Tell your children about it, and have your children tell their children, and their children, another generation” (Joel 1:2–3). When he speaks of the Spirit poured out, he names young and old: sons and daughters, old men and young men (2:28).
What is a story from long ago that someone in your family has told you, or that you would like to pass on?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Joel 1:1–4
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Joel 1:6–7
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Joel 1:9–15
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Joel 1:18–20
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Joel 2:1–6
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Joel 2:9–32
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Joel 3
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A hymn for today
Softly and Tenderly · words by Will L. Thompson
- Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,Calling for you and for me;See, on the portals He's waiting and watching,Watching for you and for me.RefrainCome home, come home,Ye who are weary, come home;Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling, O sinner, come home!
- Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,Pleading for you and for me?Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,Mercies for you and for me?RefrainCome home, come home,Ye who are weary, come home;Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling, O sinner, come home!
- Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,Passing from you and from me;Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,Coming for you and for me.RefrainCome home, come home,Ye who are weary, come home;Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling, O sinner, come home!
- O for the wonderful love He has promised,Promised for you and for me!Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,Pardon for you and for me.RefrainCome home, come home,Ye who are weary, come home;Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,Calling, O sinner, come home!