Joel 1:1-20
Q.1. How great was the locust plague described by Joel? Why was it coming? – (Joel 1:1-13)
The plague of locusts in Joel’s time would be remembered in future generations for its severity. Every kind of destructive locust would inflict maximum destruction – What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; And what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten; And what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten (Joel 1:4). The plague would be so great as to force the offerings in the Temple to cease. The nation had turned from God. They would enjoy their ungodly lifestyle no more because they were invaded by a fearsome conqueror.
Q.2. How did Joel respond to the coming judgment? What response did God want from His people? – (Joel 1:14-20)
Though Joel was called to deliver a depressing message of doom, he was deeply moved as he cried out to God (Joel 1:19). The impending judgement was intended to turn the people back to God – Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord (Joel 1:14). Even in His interaction with Judas, the Saviour desperately sought to bring him to repentance. All His discipline is with a view to restoration (c.f. Heb.12:5-11).