April 18, 2021: Bugs, Wrestlers and Faces – Bekah Stewart

Joel speaks of an army invading and the coming destruction it will bring. The army here are locusts and ancient people understood the power of such an army. They would devour everything in their path until nothing is left. Famine and drought would follow close behind. So what are the people to do? Well, according to the prophet, now is a time for wailing, mourning, weeping, despair, sackcloth, fasting and repentance. For this is a time, when all is stripped away, they are able to see things more clearly. And when they can see, they can repent. 

 

It is then that there will be restoration. God has compassion on God’s people (2:18), will restore their land (2:25) and will pour out God’s spirit (2:28). Which raises the question, “Is this how it all works?” Because it seems like, according to Joel, God punishes to get our attention, and when we repent, then God relents. Perhaps. It’s also possible that when we turn (the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for repent) toward God we recognize the God who has been there the whole time. In this, we are able to recalibrate the way we live and move in this world.