God Blesses His People

Topic: Power
Passage: Joel 3:17–21

June 8, 2022

Commentary

After this awesome display of divine power all of Israel will know: (v. 17)

  1. That Jehovah is God
  2. That He is in their midst
  3. That Jerusalem will never again be defiled
  4. That foreigners will never again invade Jerusalem

The soil will become fertile, the rivers will be replenished with water and a fountain springing from the renewed temple will irrigate the earth. This stream will be a constant reminder that the Lord is the source of the lands fertility (Ezekiel 47:8-10). The grape harvest will be so bountiful that it will seem like wine is dripping from the mountains and milk will be just as plentiful (v. 18).

In contrast to this abundance given by God to Judah the land of her enemies will become desolate. The reason for this severe judgment is their mistreatment of the people of Judah (v. 19). They are guilty of violence and the shedding of innocent blood. He will purify the people with whom He will abide and remove the blood stains of their suffering (v. 20). He will dwell forever in the midst of Zion (v. 21). Joel was trying to convince the people to wake up, get rid of their complacency and realize the danger of living apart from God. Those who turn to God will enjoy the blessings.

Application

The Lord wants to show His power in my life the same as He did in Joel’s day. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. No matter what circumstances may come into my life He is in our midst and will never allow me to have more severe trials than I can bear. (Proverbs 3:5-6). I need to pray for His power to be manifest in my life daily.

Joel 3:17– 21 (NET)

17 “You will be convinced that I the Lord am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy— conquering armies will no longer pass through it.

18 “On that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the dry stream beds of Judah will flow with water. A spring will flow out from the temple of the Lord, watering the Valley of Acacia Trees.

19 Egypt will be desolate and Edom will be a desolate wilderness, because of the violence they did to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.

20 But Judah will reside securely forever, and Jerusalem will be secure from one generation to the next.

21 I will avenge their blood that I had not previously acquitted. It is the Lord who dwells in Zion!