Key Truth: We are called to listen to and teach coming generations of God’s judgment of sin which should stir us to lament and seek restoration in our relationship to Him in Christ.  

Introduction:

What immediately comes to your mind when you hear the words “sin” and “judgment”?

The Call to Listen to and Teach of God’s Coming Judgment on the Land:

Joel 1:1-3

“Clearly fashioned with material from Judah’s liturgical literature, especially her communal complaints (often called ‘laments’), the prophecy of Joel is not itself a liturgy but a call to participate in one (1:2-2:17) accompanied by a record of what happens when the people do (2:18-3:21).”

David Allan Hubbard, Joel & Amos: An Introduction & Commentary

Do you take God’s promised judgment of our sin seriously?
Do you avoid the topics of sin and judgment when sharing the Gospel with others or with your children?

The Call to Lament the Loss of God’s Blessed Provision from the Land:

Joel 1:4-12

“The cessation of regular grain offerings and libations in the temple due to lack of provisions was for Joel an appalling theological disaster. He did not include these details simply as more examples of what the locusts had done; rather, this was evidence that God had rejected his people. The Israelites were supposed to make daily offerings at the sanctuary that included lambs, grain offerings mixed with olive oil, and libations or ‘drink offerings’ (Exod 29:38; Num 28:1-8). When these were ‘cut off’ by an act of Yahweh, it was as though the covenant were annulled and the daily order of creation itself were suspended. Thus Joel could interpret this as the day of the Lord.”
Duane A. Garrett, The New American Commentary: Hosea, Joel

Do you take God’s provision for your needs for granted?
What’s your first response when there are negative changes to your resources and material goods?

Application: 

Joel 1:1-12 teaches us that:
- God’s coming judgment of sin is to be taught to the coming generations
- we should lament and seek restoration in our relationship with Him in Christ 

Benediction:

Revelation 21:3-4