The Family Bible Journey Podcast

The scroll John eats is both bitter and sweet, just like Revelation. Parts we love and savor. Others terrify us. We take them both together. It is often bitter medicine that makes us well. So too, God's terrifying judgments bring us to our knees, so that we may be restored in repentance and faith in Christ.

Life and love are found in the shadow of the Cross! When God encourages us to live in His shadow, He promises to cover and protect us with His love and mercy.

The locusts would wipe out the earthly wealth of Israel, but God would restore their fortunes. More importantly than earthly fortunes being restored, God promised to bless them with His Holy Spirit. This passage was fulfilled on Pentecost. When we, who have the Holy Spirit within us, experience earthly trial, we trust the Lord Who is powerful to restore and redeem.

Joel is the locust prophet. Whether he predicted a literal swarm of locusts, or a metaphor referring to Assyria, or both, Israel would be stripped bare for her sin. Yet, God was merciful and had plans to restore her. Even greater than this, He promised salvation and the gift of His Holy Spirit, who would help His people discern His ways.

We are confronted with yet another uncomfortable reality in this chapter. The living dead are real. They are those who may physically be alive, yet are spiritually dead. We may not be able to tell the difference in this life, but let us live in Christ, knowing that God will reveal both the living and the dead when Christ returns in judgment.