More thoughts on Joel

Throughout the book of Joel, God is challenging His people to repent and turn back to Him. He has sent a plague of locusts and other “natural” disasters to get their attention. God’s promise to His people is that He would restore what the locusts have eaten. In chapter 2:26 He says, “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame.”

One of the things we need to ask ourselves is, “Who are these people?” In my opinion there is a tendency today to take what the Bible says, especially in the Old Testament and spiritualize it to the Church. There are definitely spiritual lessons that are to be learned in the Old Testament. Romans 15:4 for example says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

However, I believe that the promises given specifically to the nation of Israel are their promises. So the promise quoted above about not putting His people to shame is a promise to Israel. In fact verse 27 says, “Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel; I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”

The locusts attacked the land of Israel and God’s promise of blessing was also made to them. I think one would have to conclude that the promise that His people would never be put to shame has not come to pass yet. That’s why many Christians look for a literal future establishment of the nation of Israel under the rule of Christ.