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NOTE:
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2007 Autumn Series Bible Study Notes
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The
Prophet of God Today – Joel
In preparing these studies as a
basis for the sermon series this autumn, I have been increasingly conscious of
the tendency by Christians to ignore the uncomfortable aspects of our faith, and
in so doing to lose much of the power of God’s love for us. So often now, we do
not see God in action in the events and horrors of this world. Was God in the
Tsunami, or the earthquake in Peru? Is he in the killing in Iraq or the
bloodshed in the Congo? If for either of these we say no, is God any more God?
So often we put natural disasters down to that – something of nature, God isn’t
to blame. But what of the God who created all things and more importantly holds
all things in existence? If God is in these things and speaking in them, do we
want to be associated with a God like that?
Yet God is a holy God, theologically suffering is a sign of judgement on all
people. We so easily forget that we all deserve to be judged and condemned to
death. Darkness cannot live with light, sin with God. Yet God is patient and
loving, longing for us to turn back. Why the suffering and disasters touch some
more than others we do not know. There is a deep mystery in suffering that this
side of heaven we cannot understand. Yet in looking at this prophecy of Joel we
will be faced with a Holy and Loving God, a God who is far more active in our
world than we often realise. A God who is calling to us to repent and receive
his love and power. A God who is no longer marginalised by human science, the
‘God of the gap’, but who is part of all that happens in some mysterious,
awesome, sometime terrifying, but always perfect way.
We need to rediscover that God is truly God of all. Not just what we want him to
be and to do, but rather what he wants to be and to do.
Quote from "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" where
the children are hearing for the first time of Aslan the Lion, the allegorical
Christ figure of the book:
"Ooh!" said Susan, "I'd thought he was a man. Is
he--quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone
who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver
than most or else silly." "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said
anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell
you."
n.b. 1. The secondary readings are suggestions, to look at some of the issues
from another angle.
2. Use all or just some of the questions, the key is to open up discussion
around the key themes found in the text.
1. Joel 1.1-12 Set The Scene. (John 1.1-14)
Date of writing is unsure; however the situation is clear – a huge plague of
locusts was causing devastation to the Holy Land. Prophecy is for NOW – God
speaks to our condition/time. What he reveals about the future is to help us to
live now. Issues – did God send this devastation? Where is God in ‘natural
events’? Is our God now excluded by science? Can we have both a scientific and
theological understanding of events that are not exclusive?
Questions:-
1. Based on v. 1-4 - What events have caused you to be fearful? Why were you
fearful? What sort of events could cause you to feel very frightened and
anxious? Where could God be in all these things? These things can be very small
things too!
2. When we are personally faced with potential disaster, what are our reactions,
what do we think and do?
3. v. 5-8 What response is Joel calling for as a reaction to the disaster in
Israel? Why do you think he calls for this?
4. What seems to be the role of the prophet in these few verses?
5. v12b – What today is the ‘joy of humankind’? What do we depend on to try and
gain this ‘joy’?
6. John 1.3 says clearly that everything was made through the Word; the locust
and the human, Hitler and Mother Theresa. Is God truly King? Discuss.
7. Locusts often surge after times of drought when there have been good
rains leading to plentiful food.
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This picture was taken this July (BBC World Service report) as swarms invaded
North and West Africa.
A rubber tree stripped in a day. Farmers are not replanting for fear of the
locusts. Starvation will threaten, despite the wonderful rains. We understand
scientifically, but where is God in this devastation?
What may he be calling us to do? If we respond what effect could that have on
us? |
8. As a home
group, what could you do to engage with a place of suffering in our world?
2. Joel 1.13-20 God’s
call for response. (Luke 13.1-8)
Note as yet no sense of cause
of devastation, merely a call for grief and repentance – seeking God’s mercy.
When we see disaster, or experience disaster – what is our response? Today we
often look for issues of blame, Joel looks for confession. Issues – who do we
call to in a time of disaster or suffering? Is our God able and willing to
respond? Do we blame or confess?
Questions:-
1. From v 13, the scene now shifts to the place of worship. What do we depend on
for ‘worth’ or value in our lives? What is truly at the heart of our worship? Is
God really there or only a part time presence as we value other things as well?
2. The question of cause seems to be left open in this chapter, but the
responses suggested are very clear, v.13, 14, 19. Identify them, and ask whether
that is what we do?
3. Joyful worship and religion seem to have gone v.16b. How can we be relevant
in our worship for those who are suffering as well as rejoicing in a God of love
and blessing?
4. Throughout this first chapter, there seems to be no stated cause for this
destruction. Different classes of people are mentioned, drunkards v.5, priests
v.9 and 13, farmers and vine growers v.11, politicians (elders) v.14, but they
are all called to do the same thing – mourn and to cry out to the Lord. God is
both judge and source of deliverance. How can we hold these two truths together
today?
5. Look at Luke 13.1-5. Clearly some were saying that the Galileans must have
deserved their punishment (v.2), likewise the 18 who died at Siloam v.4. What
point was Jesus trying to make? What warning is that to us when we are tempted
to think that we have the moral high ground?
6. Jesus then tells a parable Luke 13. 5-8. What does this say about human
reactions to trouble? What does it say about God’s reaction?
7. The whole economy and environment appears to be destroyed v.17 – 20. What
insights could this give to us for the environmental crises threatening the
world today? Where should change start?
8. Spend some time praying, listening to God for his thoughts about our world
today. Seek him to guide our responses.
3. Joel 2.1-11 The Day of the Lord - Judgement
(Luke 21.25-31)
God’s power for destruction? How does this sit with our understanding of God?
What does this suffering seek to produce? Where does the fear of the Lord fit in
today’s theology? Issues – Does the Day of the Lord, the day of judgement,
play any part today in our understanding of God’s purposes? If it doesn’t, what
does it say about our understanding and our faith?
Questions:-
1. The Day of the Lord, first mentioned in Chapter 1.15, is one of utmost terror
v1-2a. Do we believe this to be possible with our God of love? Can God really be
this destructive?
2. The concept of the Day of the Lord is linked to the next and larger wave of
advancing locusts in Joel’s prophecy v2b - 10. Their day of judgement was
perceived to be in that calamitous event. What is being revealed to them as they
face this disaster? What would be revealed in you if you were facing slow death
and destruction for yourself, your family and entire community?
3. The alarm is raised by the watchmen v.1. What ways can we be watchmen today
that will be heard?
4. Human skill and ingenuity are impotent in the face of this disaster v.8. How
much do we trust today in our technology and skill to keep disaster at bay? What
more could we be doing?
5. When we hear of disasters in this country, such as the floods this year, we
see a range of different responses. Share some of the responses you witnessed in
the media, and think through what was driving those responses. How would we
respond if our homes were wrecked through floods?
6. In this prophecy we are primarily looking at massive events that effect the
lives of countless people. However, judgement can be seen in some of the so
called small events that touch us all. Share some of the things that have
touched you in the last few weeks. Where is God in these things?
7. Luke 21.25-31 talks about the final Day of the Lord. What are the responses
described. Imagine how you would feel at that time. How do you feel about that
one Day of the Lord we will all experience – our death.
4. Joel 2.12- 17 Our response – repentance
(Acts 3.17-26)
What is the picture of God here? Is this the same God as the one a few verses
earlier? Note v.15-17 repeats Chap. 1,13,14. When do we draw together to fast
and pray? Do we trust God as sovereign? Do we allow God to do what he wants, or
do we want God to do what we want? Issues – what does repentance achieve? What
is its power?
Questions:-
1. v.12 is a great turning
point. Look at the key parts of God’s request. What have you experienced like
this? What does it mean ‘with all your heart? (n.b. The heart for the Hebrews
was the seat of the will, not the emotions)
2. Read Mark 1.15. Jesus’ words refer to the Kingdom or rule of God. His call is
the same as Joel’s; encounters with God’s sovereignty should lead to repentance.
What can that in turn lead to? (Also look at v.13 of Joel)
3. v.13f has a wonderful description of God. Look at each descriptive word, and
discuss what each means in practise.
4. How does this description of God square with the events unfolding at the
time?
5. What does repentance achieve – for the people of Joel’s time and for us?
6. In v.15-17 Joel appears emboldened to move from essentially the singular to
the plural. The community is called into action, the nation called to
repentance. Look at the enormity of this demand through the different types of
people mentioned.
7. In verse 17, they are called to remind God of his promises in the past. The
question ‘Where is their God?’ could have been answered by Jeremiah 2.11-13.
God’s honour belongs to whom?
8. When have we seriously fasted and prayed as a community? When, how long and
how often should we do this?
5. Joel 2.18-27 The Heart of God.
(Matthew 6.25-34)
The Lord of judgement is also the Lord of Provision and salvation. As the people
repent not only do they receive help, but the very land, the environment also
responds. What does that say in today’s world! Issues – do we try to short
circuit God to get to his provision, avoiding the suffering, judgement and
repentance that is the long and painful way to gain it? If we do try to
short-circuit it, what is our understanding of God like? Who is truly God?
Questions:-
1. What a change form the preceding passages! From v. 18 what are God’s key
responses? What does this say about God?
2. v.19ff The return to the Lord opens the doors to environmental and economic
transformation. Think through the impact within people on returning to the Lord,
their behaviour, their choices, and where God may be in all this. Is it just our
choices that brings possible blessing, or does God add something extra too?
3. The ‘Prosperity Gospel’ preaches that if we put God first we will be blessed
materially. If we are not blessed, there must be something wrong or sinful
between us and God. Is this true? What is being missed with this false gospel?
4. v.21,22 express a sense of environmental freedom, liberation. What can we be
doing to be part of this? Remember small things also count.
5. Do we see the good things in life as God’s blessings, or as just normal, or
even our right? Look at v.23 – 24. Isn’t this what we have so regularly in this
country, even with global warming? Are we truly thankful and see God in it?
6. v.25 is a verse of promise. It describes similar invasions of locusts as in
Ch1.4, but this time the negative effects are reversed. V.26 and 27 prophecy the
response of the people. Deliverance brings material blessing, and then praise of
God. What is revealed about God in these verses? What are his deepest desires?
7. We have read much about some ‘dark’ things; destruction, judgement, the Day
of the Lord to name some. Is this really what God wants? V.26, 27 make some big
claims, the wonders are very real, both in judgement and in deliverance. Share
stories of deliverance that you have experienced, even if they seem
inconsequential to you.
8. God is good, but not safe. Spend time praising him together by listing some
of the blessings you have.
6. Joel 2.28-32 The Day of
Deliverance. (Acts 2.14-21, 32-39)
God’s heart of love wants to communicate to us. He looks for salvation, to save
the people he has created. The signs and wonders, though don’t point to the
people, but to God. They point also to both a time of suffering unknown in
history and salvation for those who are called and who call on God. Issues –
the manifestation of the Spirit in power should lead to Godly fear of what is
coming, rather than the next spiritual experience to tickle our sinful selves.
Questions:-
1. v.28 Afterwards – this is clearly in the future, the time indeterminate. With
the locusts flying around and death threatening, what might these words have
done to the first listeners?
2. The Spirit is poured out on ‘all people’ is qualified by sons and daughters
etc, clearly implying the people of God. Look at who is listed, is anyone left
out? When do you think this prophecy has been or will be fulfilled?
3. Hope is often strangely in short supply today. What do you truly hope for in
our church today? What could you do to help this happen?
4. As, throughout the book, the wonder of God’s deliverance is balanced by the
fear of his judgement. Look at this short passage and see how this is described.
5. The Day of the Lord has been referred to before, but in a much more limited
sense - the worst impact of the final locust swarm that destroyed everything.
This Day of the Lord, is ‘afterwards’, are we still waiting? Is this part of the
prophecy still to come? (The phrase ‘now and not yet’ sums up much of our
experience of God’s Kingdom, we know in part, then we shall know fully 1 Cor.
13.12)
6. Who is delivered? Look at the word call and describe what is happening (v.32)
7. Does the Holy Spirit scare you? What positive experiences have you had with
the supernatural work of the Spirit? What has caused you to ask questions and to
be fearful of these manifestations? Where could God have been within it?
8. If the world was to end tomorrow, what would you do today? If you were to die
tomorrow, what would you do today? Is there a difference in your reaction? If
there is what does that say, if there isn’t then what does that say?
7. Joel 3.1-16 The Day of Judgement.
(Matthew. 25.31-46)
We receive what we have done, v.4. We bring judgment on ourselves and it is God
who holds back the inevitability of that judgement. This Day of Judgement will
see our human wickedness laid bare for all to see. Humanity trying to make war
on God – a joke? No a horrible reality, the essence of sin. Issues – What do we
decide – is it for God or for ourselves?
Questions:-
1. v.1 talks about the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem indicating that the
northern kingdom based on Samaria has probably already gone. Is this sort of
prophecy referring to present day Israel? What could God be looking for within
the nations to bring either judgment or deliverance on them? Could this still
apply today?
2. We see a jealous God here, who judges those who oppress his people (v.2,3).
Give examples that you can recall of similar oppression today? Consider how we
may be oppressing others even today. What could you do about it?
3. In verse 4-8, God is taking the oppression very personally. What is revealed
about God’s action in judgment here? Can you see more recent examples of ‘return
on your heads what you have done’?
4. How would you feel if v.9, 10 and 11a happened and you were in Judah as they
come against you? Have you been in situations where you have felt overwhelmed by
‘worldliness’ all around you, or where God is a swear word only and maybe you
are teased or even bullied for your faith? What may God be doing from these
verses?
5. This all feels very militaristic and violent! Vengeance and retribution
belongs to God, v. 11b – 15 is almost sickening! In verse 14 there is a key word
that is repeated twice that sums up what is happening – decision in NIV or
verdict in another translation. Here the decision is clearly the Lord’s. On his
day he decides. The Lord is patient (2.13) yet there has to be a limit. What for
you, makes you look forward and or fear the coming Day of the Lord?
6. If you are oppressed, starving, persecuted or suffering as a result of others
actions or so called natural events, how does verse 16 feel to you? If you feel
stressed, tired, anxious, perplexed how does verse 16 feel? Are there any areas
of your life where verse 16 could not apply? How can we help it to apply
7. The tenderness and the toughness of God is held together through this
passage. So often people say the Old Testament is too brutal and violent, how
would you respond to that allegation?
8. From our passage in Matthew’s gospel, the sorting out will happen, from the
book of Revelation, the Day of Armageddon sounds very similar to this picture.
How much do we live with the reality that this could happen soon?
8. Joel 3.17-21 The God of forgiveness, the God of
Peace. (Luke 4.14-21)
After all the suffering, disasters, brutality and judgement we come to a quiet
oasis. Here we find a God of supreme love and beneficence. This is what God
truly wants to do; this is where he wants to take his people, those who call on
his name. This is why he sent his son to be the way, the truth and the life to
show us to this place. Issues – Do we keep this vision before us, or do we live
as if this life is all we will ever have?
Questions:-
1. This final section is a continuation of the previous study, the break is
poorly placed. V.16 God becomes a refuge, and v.17 the people truly now know him
for real. What times have you known when God has been a refuge? Have you come to
know him better in those times?
2. ‘Jerusalem will be holy’ (v.17) says the prophet. What do you think that
means?
3. This prophecy was for a particular time, in some ways it was fulfilled, in
other ways it was fulfilled later, and yet it has still to be fulfilled. How can
we cope with these part fulfilled prophecies? Have you known times when God only
appears to answer in part? What have you learnt through those times?
4. The image here is of a restored Garden of Eden, v.18. What makes Eden so
wonderful? (Look at Genesis 2, and 3.8.) The fullness of life comes with
holiness, totally for God, with total openness with God. When have you
experienced such openness with God?
5. Even in this final few verses we have the contrast. The God of salvation and
hope, v17 and 18, and the God of judgement v. 19. Through these studies, what
has changed in your understanding of God?
6. V.21 brings it together. We know that the work of pardoning was done by Jesus
on the cross. Do we truly know the freedom of God’s pardon? What should that
enable us to know and experience (even if only in part now)? (v.21b)
7. Our world is full of suffering and stress. As God walked with Adam and Eve in
the Garden of Eden, so he will live with his people once again. What do you
think heaven will be like?
8. This final question is one of great importance. Many talk of ‘pie in the sky
when we die’, rather ‘live for the pie now’, even Christian agencies have often
rightly pointed out that we should be sharing the pie now. How much do we live
for the pie now? Practically how should we in Jesus’ words be storing up
treasure in heaven? Finally – how do we use our money for eternity? Spend some
time praying through what God has been saying to you through these studies. Pray
also about the self indulgent consumer festival that much of Christmas has
become and prophetically intercede for our nation at this time.
All of the sermons that
are preached at St Helen’s are available to be
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If you don’t have internet access and would like a copy on cd or
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