Day 223, Chronological Bible Studies Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading
Chronological Note: The date of this prophecy is uncertain. It may have been written before an Assyrian invasion during the reign of King Joash of Judah, or it may have been written before the final attack of Babylon. The latter view is taken here because of the strong emphasis on Jerusalem and Zion (the names of Israel or Ephraim are notably absent from the book). Also, the condition of the land and people described in this book are the same.
What Can We Learn from Natural Disasters?
If you don't like bugs, you won't like locusts. Locusts have destroyed much of the farmland in the Middle East and Africa since the times of the Pharaoh's of Egypt. We even had a locust plague in North America in 1874-1875. Saudi Arabia suffered an invasion of these destructive insects in 2020. Perhaps you have not experienced a locust plague. Still, you may have suffered from another natural disaster like a tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake, or even severe drought.
In 2020, the world suffered a pandemic, COVID-19. Then, in 2021, we suffered a Delta strain of it, and there has been a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus in 2022-23. Will it always be with us? What are we learning from it? Does it cause us to fear the LORD, pray, and go to church, or does it cause us to wonder if we did something wrong? God can use natural disasters to get our attention.
Locust Plague
In the days of the prophet Joel, Israel suffered a severe drought. It impacted Judah and the surrounding areas. She also suffered a locust plague and famine, and the famine worsened because Babylon set up a blockade against Jerusalem.
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. The city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat. (2Kings 25:1-3, NIV)
I [God] will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh during the stress of the siege imposed on them by the enemies who seek their lives (Jeremiah 19:9, NIV).
The forces of Babylon were like a massive army of devouring locusts. Babylon had attacked cities in Judah and other nations, and now, in today's Bible reading, she lays siege on Jerusalem to consume it, leaving nothing (Joel 1:4). The LORD uses King Nebuchadnezzar and the plague of locusts to accomplish his will. These destructive insects are mentioned in the reigns of King Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, two of the last kings of Judah (Jeremiah 46:23, 51:14, and 51:27).
Response to Calamity
In fear of the Babylonian invasion, King Zedekiah asks Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD. He wants to see if God will work miracles for Judah, as he did in the past (Jeremiah 21:2).
In response, the prophets Joel and Jeremiah make pleas for the people to repent before Judah is destroyed (Joel 2:12-13; Jeremiah 21:12). Joel compares the swarm of destruction to the coming Day of the LORD, a day of terrible destruction before Jesus Christ returns to the earth.
Because of their trouble and threats, Joel calls upon the people to turn from their sin to God, but not fake it so they can get what they want. This is what God requires
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing (Joel 2:12-14a, NIV).
Even at this late hour, God may change his mind about sending catastrophe if they'll genuinely repent.
When we sin, are we sorry for it, or do we try to justify our actions? Do we put up a show of repentance to avoid punishment? Joel's message from God could be for us as well as the people of Jerusalem: “Return to me with all your heart…rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Because of Judah's extreme wickedness and unrepentant heart, the invasion was imminent. Babylon would destroy Judah and her neighboring countries and take all the survivors into captivity. The people and their lands would be devastated, as locusts devour crops.
Hope
Was there no more hope for Judah? Yes, there was hope. After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, the Jewish exiles would turn from their sins to God. Then, the LORD would allow them to return to their homeland — God is Sovereign and controls the wills of kings. Under the protection of Medo-Persia, they would come back to build the temple and city walls. For a time, they would once again live in peace and safety.
Some prophecies of the Old Testament are yet to be completely fulfilled. In the future, there will be another period of judgment for the re-unified nation of Israel. She will be threatened with annihilation, but God will bring revenge upon her enemies, destroying them. After that, the LORD will bring everlasting peace. God declares,
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.”
The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.
The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. “Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her…”
“Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon.” The LORD dwells in Zion! (Joel 3:1-2, 15-17, 21, NIV)
God can give us peace, even during natural disasters. He'll either protect us from them or help us through them if we trust in him for our salvation.
Discussion:
What might be the purpose of a national or worldwide catastrophe?
How should we respond to calamities?
Where is our hope when we experience a natural disaster?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead:
Other nations would be repaid for the evil they have inflicted on Judah. Will there be a day when he does the same for us? Yes! Join us to see for yourself in our next lesson.
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