Most cities and villages have alarms that they use when there is some sort of danger to the community. The most common one in my village is the tornado alarm, as tornados can frequently occur where I live, from spring through the early fall. In some coastal areas, particularly around the Pacific, they have tsunami warning sirens. If one’s country is at war, and there is a danger of an air attack, there are air raid sirens. When any of these sirens sound out, we need to quickly find shelter, or danger will strike. In our Scripture reading today, the prophet Joel is calling for the warning sirens to go off, and the people better pay attention. Let’s take a look at what he is saying to us.
In ancient times trumpets were used to sound alarms. One of the frequent alarms that were sounded was that of an invading army. Joel wanted to warn the people of the impending judgment of God upon them. The Day of the Lord was coming, it was right at hand, and the people needed to be warned. The Day of the Lord isn’t something that the lost should look forward to. It is the time when God will show Himself as victor over the world. For sinners it will be judgment, punishment, and justice. The Israelites thought it would be terrible for others, but not for them. Even today there are those who like to think of God bringing judgment on others, on their enemies, but think they will be spared. The Israelites throughout their history had not been faithful to their covenant with God, but instead practiced idolatry and other hypocrisies. For everyone who has not accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior, the Day of the Lord will be a day of darkness and despair.
Joel called the people to repentance, and many of the people responded with a very casual apology. Just a quick and casual sorry, and then thinking that all was right between them and God, that He would never really punish them. We must be careful to not take a flippant view of God’s forgiveness (vs. 12-14). The prophets repeatedly link forgiveness with true and genuine repentance. We are told to move from outward displays of religiosity to genuine, inward change. Fasting, weeping, and mourning are fine, but more important is true, genuine change. God does not want outward signs of penitence without true, inward repentance (vs. 13). The tearing of garments, the outward tears, the giving up of certain things during Lent is useless unless the heart is repentant and contrite.
God instructed Joel to warn the people of His coming judgment. Unless there was true, genuine repentance, there was coming a dark and terrible time for them. Yet, God is not cold and unforgiving. In the midst of judgment, He still gave the people opportunities to repent. If the people showed genuine repentance, He would forgive them and bring His blessings. Most of the people, including most of the religious leaders, scoffed at Joel’s warnings.
We see the same today. It is not popular to preach or teach of God’s judgment. It upsets some people, and others scoff at the thought, so we don’t generally hear too much talk about it. However, it is something that we need to hear. If the warning sirens don’t sound, how do we know that a tornado is headed our way? When it’s right on top of you, it’s too late to do anything! The siren needs to warn in advance. We need to know in advance that there is a Savior to save us from our sins. We need to know in order to turn to Him, to call upon Him before we die.
Jesus is waiting for us to turn to Him, so He can forgive us. Turn to God while there is still time. No one knows how long they have. The warning sirens are going off now! Trust Him now, while there is time.
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