Joel 2
Day of the LORD: Darkness and gloom verse 1- 2
Blow you the trumpet in Zion
and sound an alarm in MY holy mountain
let all the inhabitants of the land tremble
FOR the DAY OF THE LORD comes
FOR it is nigh at hand
A DAY of darkness and of gloominess
a DAY of clouds and of thick darkness
as the morning spread upon the mountains
a great people and a strong
There has not been ever the like
neither shall be any more after it
even to the years of many generations
Day of the LORD: Destruction verse 3- 5
A fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns
the land is as the garden of Eden before them
and behind them a desolate wilderness
YEA – nothing shall escape them
the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses
and as horsemen – so shall they run
like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains
shall they leap
like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble
as a strong people set in battle array
Day of the LORD: Nature changes verse 6- 10
Before their face the people shall be much pained
all faces shall gather blackness
They shall run like mighty men
they shall climb the wall like men of war
they shall march everyone on his way
and they shall not break their ranks
neither shall one thrust another
they shall walk every one in his path
and when they fall upon the sword
they shall not be wounded
They shall run to and fro in the city
they shall run upon the wall
they shall climb up upon the houses
they shall enter in at the windows like a thief
The earth shall quake before them
the heavens shall tremble – the sun and moon shall be dark
and the stars shall withdraw their shining
Day of the LORD: LORD’s army verse 11
AND the LORD shall utter HIS voice before HIS army
FOR HIS camp is very great
FOR HE is strong that executes HIS word
FOR the DAY OF THE LORD is great and very terrible
and WHO can abide it?
Call to repentance verse 12- 14
THEREFORE also now – says the LORD
turn you even to ME with all your heart
and with fasting – weeping – mourning
AND rend your heart – and not your garment
and turn unto the LORD your God
for HE is gracious – merciful – slow to anger
and of great kindness
and repents HIM of the evil
WHO knows if HE will return and repent
and leave a blessing behind HIM
EVEN a meat offering and a drink offering
to the LORD your God?
All should be called to repentance verse 15- 17
Blow the trumpet in Zion – sanctify a fast – call a solemn assembly
gather the people – sanctify the congregation
assemble the elders – gather the children
and those that suck the breasts
Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber
and the bride out of her closet
Let the priests – the ministers of the LORD
weep between the porch and the altar – and let them say
Spare YOUR people – O LORD
and give not YOUR heritage to reproach
THAT the heathen should rule over them
WHEREFORE should they say among the people
WHERE is their God?
Repentance brings deliverance verse 18-20
THEN will the LORD be jealous for HIS land
and pity HIS people
YEA – the LORD will answer
and say unto HIS people
BEHOLD – I will send you corn – wine – oil
and you shall be satisfied therewith
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the heathen
BUT I will remove far off from you the northern army
and will drive him into a land barren and desolate
with his face toward the east sea
and his hinder part toward the utmost sea
and his stink shall come up
and his ill savor shall come up
BECAUSE he hath done great things
Repentance brings gladness verse 21- 24
Fear not – O land
be glad and rejoice – FOR the LORD will do great things
Be not afraid – ye beasts of the field
for the pastures of the wilderness do spring
for the tree bears her fruit
the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength
Be glad then- ye children of Zion
and rejoice in the LORD your God
FOR HE hath given you the former rain moderately
and HE will cause to come down for you the rain
the former rain – and the latter rain in the first month
and the floors shall be full of wheat
and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil
Repentance brings restoration verse 25- 27
I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten
cankerworm – caterpillar – palmerworm
MY great army which I sent among you
AND you shall eat in plenty – and be satisfied
and praise the name of the LORD your God
THAT has dealt wondrously with you
AND MY people shall never be ashamed
AND you shall KNOW that I am in the midst of Israel
and that I am the LORD your God – and none else
and MY people shall never be ashamed
Restoration brings the pouring out of Holy Spirit verse 28- 32
AND it shall come to pass afterward
that I will pour out MY Spirit upon all flesh
and your sons and daughters shall prophesy
your old men shall dream dreams
your young men shall see visions
and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days – will I pour out MY Spirit
and I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth
blood – fire – pillars of smoke
the sun shall be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood
BEFORE the great and terrible
DAY OF THE LORD come
AND it shall come to pass
that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD
shall be delivered
FOR in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance
as the LORD has said
and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil. (5162 “repenteth” [nacham] means to be sorry, console oneself, regret, have compassion or be moved with pity.
DEVOTION: The attributes of the LORD never change. HIS attitude toward HIS people changes on a regular basis. HE loves them but HE also has to chasten them at times. HE blesses them at times. HIS attitude toward HIS people changes because of their relationship to HIM.
If they are willing to worship HIM in spirit and in truth – HE blesses them. If they worship false gods and fake their worship of HIM – HE will chasten them. Their actions affect HIS actions. If they would open their heart to HIM and turn to HIM then He could change HIS actions toward them.
This verse gives us insight into who God is in HIS person. HE is gracious. HE is merciful. HE is slow to anger. HE is of great kindness. HE is willing to be move with pity toward HIS people if they will repent. HE can withhold chastening. The evil is consequences to their sin. In this chapter HE is sending an army of locust to take all the grain and food from the people. This army can be literal locust or a heathen nation HE uses as locust to show the children of Israel that HE means business with them. HE wants them to repent.
What are HIS actions toward us? What are HIS actions toward our church? What are HIS actions toward our nation? If we as individuals repent of our daily sins – HE can bless us. If we as a church repent of our disobedience of not reaching our world for HIM – HE can bless our church. If we as a nation do not honor HIM – HE will not honor us.
If we as individual Christians think we can go on without the LORD being active in our lives – WE are lying to ourselves. HE loves HIS children. If we as a church are not obeying HIS commands for us to make disciples and think HE will grow our church – WE are lying to ourselves. God has chosen to work through individuals in HIS church to reach the world with HIS message. Are we doing it?
CHALLENGE: Our actions changes God’s actions toward us. If we repent, HE doesn’t have to chasten us. If we refuse, HE will chasten HIS children to made them conform to the image of HIS Son.
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: 16 Gather all the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. (2646 “closet” [chuppah] means chamber, room, porch, or nuptial chamber.)
DEVOTION: There is individual repentance and there is national repentance. Here we find that the priest were to call all the people together for a national repentance.
What was involved in a national repentance? All ages were to be called to a gathering at the Temple. They were to rend their heart or give their hearts wholly to the LORD. They were to be totally sorry for their sins and ask the LORD to forgive them. It was not to be an outward show of repentance but an internal change of mind toward the things of the LORD. They were to want to serve the LORD.
Why would they want to do this? If this happened the LORD would send a blessing instead of a judgment. Our actions change what the LORD will do with us.
The LORD is described as SOMEONE or the ONLY ONE who is gracious and merciful. HE Is also slow to anger and of great kindness. HE also is willing to change HIS actions toward us if we are willing to change our attitude toward HIM and HIS commands.
People we meet here on earth don’t usually act this way if we have hurt them but the LORD is forgiving to those who ask for it genuinely.
CHALLENGE: There is a time to call everyone together to honor the LORD. We need a revival as a nation just like the children of Israel needed one.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 26 And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that has dealt wondrously with you: and your people shall never be ashamed. (954 “ashamed” [buwsh] means act shamefully, confounded, confusion, to feel shame, disconcerted, or to fail in hope and expectation.)
DEVOTION: Never again with the LORD’S people be disgraced. This was not fulfilled at the time of Joel. This was not fulfilled at the time of Pentecost. This has not been fulfilled as yet. It is still future.
However, we can look forward to this time period because we will be the ones who will rule and reign with Christ during the Millennium. It is yet future but it is a promise. It is a future hope for those who are believers. We need to trust in the LORD with all our heart. We need to realize that HE keeps HIS promises.
Right now we are going through a time period when we are to serve the LORD with gladness. We are to use the gift that the Holy Spirit has given us to serve in the local church. We are to be witnesses to the world around us. We have a future hope that should put a smile on our face as we go through different circumstances.
There is a future and a hope that we should praise the LORD for during our lifetime. People should see a difference in us that would cause them to ask how we can have a smile when things are not going as well as they expect life to go. The answer can only be the LORD.
CHALLENGE: A time is coming when Christ will reign on this earth. It will be a time of great blessing. HE wants us to realize that HE is working HIS plan and that we are included in HIS plan as HIS people.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 28- 29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (8210 “pour out” [shaphak] means shed, gush out, cause to flow, cause to happen, or lavish.)
DEVOTION: On the day of Pentecost Peter quoted this verse in reference to what was happening to the disciples. They were full of the Holy Spirit and able to talk in the languages of those who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast.
He was preaching Christ. He stated that Christ fulfilled HIS mission of coming and dying on the cross for the sins of the world. This gave everyone present the opportunity to become followers of Jesus the Messiah. Peter told those present that if they would call on the name of Jesus Christ they would be saved.
Now did this fulfill all of the prophecy of Joel? NO!! There is a future fulfillment as well. This is going to happen during the Millennial reign of Christ. It will be a gushing out of the Holy Spirit on everyone who will enter the Millennium. It will not be limited to just twelve or a hundred and twenty people. It will experienced by all those who enter the Millennium because only those who believe will be able to enter.
So we have two flowing of the Holy Spirit. There will be one at the beginning of the Church Age and one at the beginning of the Millennial Age.
The primary understanding is this will happen at the end of the Tribulation when Christ shall rule and reign over the earth with Satan bound in the pit for the thousand years.
CHALLENGE: Continue to study the Word of God to see what it has to say about the end times. Don’t just wait for the end times to happen, reach out and help others understand what it means to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Repentance requires fasting verse 12, 15
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayer of the priests verse 17
Prayer of those who want to be delivered verse 32
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Holy Mountain verse 1
Meat offering verse 14
Drink offering verse 14
Call a solemn assembly verse 15
Gather the people verse 16
Sanctify the congregation verse 16
Assemble the elders verse 16
Call to worship to include elders, children, etc verse 16
Priests – ministers of LORD verse 17
Porch and altar verse 17
Praise the name of the LORD your God verse 26
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 11- 14, 17- 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 31, 32
Day of the LORD verse 1- 11, 31
Blow the trumpet in Zion
Sound the alarm
Let the inhabitants of the land tremble
A day of darkness and of gloominess
A day of clouds and of thick darkness
A fire devours before them and behind
Land is as the garden of Eden before them
Land behind them a desolate wilderness
Nothing shall escape them
Noise like chariots on the tops of mountains
Noise of a flame of fire that devours
People shall be much pained
All faces shall gather blackness
LORD shall utter HIS voice before HIS army
HIS camp shall be very great
Great and very terrible and who shall abide it
LORD your God verse 13, 14, 23, 26, 27
Gracious verse 13
Merciful verse 13
Slow to anger verse 13
Great kindness verse 13
Repents of judgment verse 13
Give not YOUR heritage to reproach verse 17
Jealous verse 18
Pity HIS people verse 18
LORD will answer HIS people verse 19, 20
I will send you corn and wine and oil
You shall be satisfied
I will no more make you a reproach
among the heathen
I will remove far off the northern army
Fear not be glad and rejoice verse 21
Do great things verse 21
HE has given you the former rain moderately verse 23
I will restore to you the years verse 25
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied verse 26
LORD your God has dealt wondrously verse 26
LORD in midst of HIS people verse 27
MY people shall never be ashamed verse 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Spirit is going to be poured out verse 28, 29
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 13, 14, 17, 23, 26, 27
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Garden of Eden verse 3
Men of war verse 7
March everyone on his ways
and shall not break their ranks verse 7
When they fall upon the sword
they shall not be wounded verse 8
They shall enter in at the windows like a thief verse 9
Heathen verse 17, 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Thief verse 9
Heathen verse 17, 19
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Turn to the LORD with all your heart verse 12, 13
Fasting verse 12, 15
Weeping verse 12, 17
Mourning verse 12
Rend your heart verse 13
Grace verse 13
Mercy verse 13
Slow to anger verse 13
Kindness verse 13
Repent verse 13
Blessing verse 14
Sanctify verse 15, 16
Call a solemn assembly verse 15
Ministers verse 17
Pity verse 18
Satisfied verse 19, 26
Fear not verse 21
Glad verse 21, 23
Rejoice verse 21, 23
Not afraid verse 22
Be glad verse 23
Rejoice verse 23
Restoration verse 25
Praise verse 26
Deal wondrously verse 26
Never be ashamed verse 26, 27
LORD in midst verse 27
Holy Spirit given verse 28, 29
Prophesy verse 28
Dreamdreams verse 28
Deliverance verse 32
Remnant verse 32
Called verse 32
Israel (Old Testament people of God
Zion verse 1, 15, 23, 32
Holy Mountain verse 1
Blow the trumpet in Zion verse 15
Sanctify a fast verse 15
Call a solemn assembly verse 15
Where is their God? verse 17
Fear not verse 21
Be glad verse 21, 23
Rejoice verse 21, 23
LORD will do great things verse 21
Be not afraid verse 22
Children of Zion verse 23
Floors shall be full of wheat
and the vats shall overflow with
wine and old verse 24
Israel verse 27
Jerusalem verse 32
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Day of the LORD verse 1, 11
Day of darkness and gloominess verse 2
Day of clouds verse 2
Earth shall quake verse 10
Heavens shall tremble verse 10
Sun and moon shall be dark verse 10
Stars shall withdraw their shining verse 10
Who knows if HE will return and repent
and leave a blessing verse 14
Great and terrible day of the LORD verse 31
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QUOTES regarding passage
2:16 Again the book calls on representative groups (1:2–14), but this time it is with a difference. Previously the text singled out individual groups for specific reasons (old men were to search their memories, drunks were to mourn the destruction of the viniculture, and so forth). Now the text calls individual groups to emphasize that the entire nation had been called to repentance (except that the call to the priests in v. 17 is distinctive). Here old men are not mentioned because they do something that specifically relates to being old but because, in conjunction with the children and the nursing babies (employing merismus), their presence implies that every person in the community regardless of age should join the assembly. Similarly, the passage calls on newlyweds to join the assembly because under normal circumstances no one would expect them to do so. Also the call to the newlyweds harkens back to the previous call for Jerusalem to mourn like a virgin weeping over the death of her fiancé (1:8).
It is not correct to think of the “room” and “chamber” of the bridegroom and bride as two separate rooms. Both terms refer to the room in which marriage was consummated. (Garrett, D. A. (1997). Hosea, Joel (Vol. 19A, pp. 348–349). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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15–17 Joel issued another call for a solemn assembly (cf. 1:14). Once again the šôp̱ār was to sound (cf. 2:1), this time to convene the assembly in the light of the revealed invasion that stood so near. All were to come, from the elders with their wise counsel (cf. 1:14), to the youngest suckling. All must meet with God and listen to his commandments and act on them, as was their privilege and responsibility as members of the assembly. Even the newlyweds, who might otherwise be legitimately exempted from such duties (Deut 24:5), were to be in attendance.
The priests were to be the first to experience repentance in their lives. Then they were to lead the people, standing between the vestibule on the east side of the temple (1 Kings 6:3) that separated the inner or priests’ court (1 Kings 6:36) from the great court of the laity (2 Chronicles 4:9) and the brazen altar of burnt offering that lay within the inner court. The main business was to implore the God of all grace to spare his people, not only for their good, but, more important, that his inheritance be not a reproach before the world or his name be brought into disrepute because of what they had done (Patterson, R. D. (1986). Joel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets (Vol. 7, pp. 251–252). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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2:16. The entire worshiping community (assembly) was to gather, from the oldest (elders) to the youngest (those nursing at the breast). Not even newlyweds were exempted (cf. Deut. 24:5). (Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Joel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1417). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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2:16 From oldest to youngest they were to come. The situation is so grave that even the groom and bride were exhorted to assemble (cf. Dt 24:5); consummation of the marriage could wait. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Joe 2:16). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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The second call is in verse 15. In place of the alarm-trumpet, the command is given to “blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.” God would gather the people before Him that He might instruct them as to His ways, and direct their feet in a plain path, if they have but a heart to do His will. All classes are summoned, and the priests, the ministers of the Lord, are directed to weep between the porch and the altar, crying to Him before whose house they stand to spare His people, and not give His heritage to reproach.
The position of the priests—between the porch of the temple and the brazen altar outside—is significant: it speaks of approach to God on the ground of that of which the altar speaks—the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only in His name, and because of His finished work, has the failing saint title to draw near. “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.” Thus the priests are directed to take their stand on the temple-side of the altar, as representing a people who, although in failure, are yet the redeemed of the Lord (vers. 16, 17).
Had there been a responsive heart to God’s call to contrition and self-judgment, the avenger would have been turned aside; Jehovah would have arisen in His might as their Deliverer, turning back the judgments, and bringing in blessing and gladness. In the last days, the remnant who are to be preserved for the kingdom will take the place here commanded. Then all that is promised upon their repentance will be gloriously fulfilled. The northern army will be destroyed, and his boasted power annihilated, when the Lord shall drive him into a land barren and desolate. Every enemy shall be overthrown, and the arm of Jehovah made bare (vers. 18–20). (Ironside, H. A. (1909). Notes on the Minor Prophets. (pp. 124–125). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 16. Gather the people, &c.] The common people, all the inhabitants of the land, ch. 1:14. summon them to meet together in the temple, in order to humble themselves before God for their sins, and implore his mercy, and seek his face to remove his judgments, or avert them: sanctify the congregation; see that they are sanctified and prepared for a fast, as the law directs in such cases; that they may be clean and free from all ceremonial impurities; that their bodies and clothes be washed, and that they abstain from their wives, and from all lawful pleasures, as well as sinful ones; assemble the elders; both in age and authority; that they, by their presence and example, might influence others to attend such a service: gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; who were involved in the common calamity and distress, were obliged to fasting, and whose cries might affect their parents, and engage them the more to humiliation and repentance for their sins, which brought such miseries, not only upon themselves, but upon their tender infants; and they might think their cries would move the pity and compassion of God; all which is suggested in the note of Kimchi: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet; where they are adorning themselves, and preparing for an interview with each other; or where they are enjoying each other’s embraces, and the pleasures of the matrimonial state. The sense is, let them put off their nuptial robes, and deny themselves their lawful pleasures, and betake themselves to fasting, mourning, and prayer; see 1 Cor. 7:5. This refers to a custom among the Jews at the time of espousals, when the bridegroom and bride were introduced into the nuptial chamber, where the marriage was completed; and, according to the Jewish writers, it was not finished before: the blessing of the bridegroom and bride did not complete the maraiage, but the bringing of them into the chamber did; and then they were said to be married, though as yet they had not cohabited, and then, and not before, a man might enjoy his wife: and the marriage-chamber was nothing else but a linen cloth or garment spread upon four poles over the head of the bridegroom and bride; this they called חופחy; the word is here rendered a closet, and the same with the chamber; and their leaving and coming out of this signifies their abstaining from the lawful enjoyment of each other, which now they had a right unto. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 465). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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Lastly there is the wonderful promise of the outpouring of the Spirit of God on his people, a lavish and blessed provision on God’s part of his Spirit of grace which will bring about a startling change in men’s hearts, lives and condition (Joel 2:28–29 [H 3:1–2]; Zech 12:10; Ezk 39:29). (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)
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FROM MY READING:
Esther 2
Esther wins the king’s favor and is chosen to become queen.
INSIGHT
Abraham, Moses, David, and Esther are all living lives of obscurity when God chooses them. He uses them for great things because they are faithful to Him in the little things. While not all of us are destined to do incredible things in the eyes of man, greatness in the eyes of God is simply being faithful to Him the best way we know how. God has not forgotten about us; His eye is on us. And He will use us—even if only in seemingly “small” ways. (Quiet Walk)
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A JUDGMENT
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. Philippians 3:8
The apostle Paul was once very proud of his achievements, all he had accomplished as Saul of Tarsus. But when he saw Christ, all he could say was, “I count them but dung.” “From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” He will arrive at the bar of eternal judgment with nothing at all, just his own miserable, sinful self–naked, empty, forlorn, and hopeless–and he will go on living like that forever and ever.
This word is a judgment. Do you have this vital thing or do you not? “But what can I do?” asks someone. “I see now that I am a fool. I hadn’t realized that it was a mystery. I thought I knew what Christianity is, but I see now that it means being reconciled to God, being right for the judgment and for eternity. I know nothing about it–how can I get it?”
It is quite simple. Instead of shutting your eyes in blind prejudice, open them and pay attention to the message. Come as a little child, as a pauper. Come as you are, not to criticize, not to be clever, not to justify yourself; come and acknowledge that you have nothing. “Except ye be converted,” says our Lord, “and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). You need the simplicity of a little child. You need, in other words, an acknowledgment of your sin, of your utter failure. You have to come saying, “I am nothing. I have nothing. God have mercy upon me, a sinner.”
A Thought to Ponder: You have to come saying, “I am nothing. I have nothing. God have mercy upon me, a sinner.” (From The Kingdom of God, pp. 103-104, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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King of Tyre
“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12)
This prophecy against the King of Tyre is very similar to the prophecy given over a century earlier against the King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-28). Both are ostensibly addressed to earthly kings, yet both are impossible to apply to any mere human monarch. In both instances, it becomes obvious that an evil spirit—in fact, none other than Satan himself—had possessed the bodies of these kings. Thus, God, through Ezekiel, is here speaking primarily to Satan.
Satan had been “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty,” but he became proud instead of thankful. “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground” (Ezekiel 28:17). He had been “the anointed cherub” on “the holy mountain of God” (v. 14), the highest of all the mighty cherubim, covering the very throne of God. But “thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (v. 16).
Satan, the covering cherub, had been “created” (v. 13), but he was not content to serve his Creator. When he sinned—probably refusing to believe that God was his Creator, desiring God’s throne for himself (Isaiah 14:13)—God cast him out, saying, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:15).
Yet, he still refuses to acknowledge God and has since persuaded multitudes of men and women to assume that they, too, can be “as gods” (Genesis 3:5). This belief can only—if they persist—result in their eternal ruin. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God. (p. 39)
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Ministry motivated by love will build you up (I Cor.8:1), but ministry motivated only by obligation or duty can produce hidden anger and eventually tear you down. (p. 40)
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Yes, the saints can be trying and taxing. More than once our Lord was grieved over his chosen twelve because of their unbelief, their hardness of heart, their vindictive spirit, and their intense competition to be “the greatest.” “O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? (Luke 9:41). The servant isn’t above the master; If people grieved him, they will grieve us. (p. 43)
(10 Power Principles for Christian Service by Warren W. & David W. Wiersbe)
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