Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Monday, January 31, 2022
A mighty and innumerable nation has invaded my country (Joel 1:6).
The prophet Joel was predicting a military attack (Joel 2:1, 8, 11). Jehovah said that he would use his “great army” (the Babylonian soldiers) to punish the disobedient Israelites (Joel 2:25). The invading army is said to “come from the north” because the Babylonians would come from there to invade Israel (Joel 2:20). This army is compared to a swarm of locusts that is well organized. Joel describes the soldiers thus: “Each man advances in his way. [...] They invade the city [...]. They climb houses, they enter through windows like a thief” (Joel 2:8, 9). Can we imagine it? There are soldiers everywhere. There is nowhere to hide. No one can escape the sword of the Babylonians. Like locusts, the Babylonians (or Chaldeans) invaded Jerusalem in 607 BC.
a) What question arises when analyzing Joel 2:20? b) And what question arises when analyzing Joel 2:25?
First, let us note what Jehovah promises at Joel 2:20: “The one coming from the north [i.e., the locust plague] I will take far away from you.” If the locusts represented Jehovah's Witnesses, who preach and make disciples just as Jesus commanded, why would Jehovah take them away? (Ezek. 33:7-9; Matt. 28:19, 20). To be sure, God does not take his faithful servants away, but rather someone or something that is against them.
Second, consider what Jehovah says at Joel 2:25: “I will repay you for the years in which your crops were eaten by the winged locust, the wingless locust, the ravenous locust and the devouring locust, the great army that I sent against you." Notice that God promises to make up for the damage caused by the locusts. If these represented Jehovah's Witnesses, why would I say that the message they preach causes harm? Indeed, his message saves lives and may cause some wicked people to repent (Ezek. 33:8, 19). Of course, that would be a good thing for them.
What is the significance of the word “after” at Joel 2:28, 29?
(Read Joel 2:28, 29). Third, let's examine the order in which things happen in the prophecy. Jehovah says: “Afterward I will pour out my spirit,” that is, after the locusts have finished his mission. If the locusts represented those who preach the Kingdom of God, why would Jehovah pour out his spirit on them after they finished his work? Actually, if it were not for the power of God's holy spirit, they would not have been able to continue preaching for so many years despite opposition and even prohibitions from governments.
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