Cleansing the Uncleansed Blood Joel 3:21

As Joel the prophet concluded his prophesy concerning the enemies of Judah, he told how the LORD's “roar and voice” would move “the mountains, hills, rivers and fountains” and both “Egypt and Edom” would be made “desolate”. However, “Judah and Jerusalem” were to “dwell forever” and “from generation to generation”. In his final words in his book, Joel shared how the LORD would “cleanse” the “blood” that he “has not cleansed” where we read:

For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwells in Zion.

The verse begins, “For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed:” Joel began with the phrase, “For I will cleanse” which is one Hebrew word “naqah” and means “be empty, clear, pure, innocent, desolate and cut off” “their blood” or “as that which when shed causes death and figuratively means extreme guilt” “that I have not cleansed” which again is the Hebrew word “naqah” and means “be empty, clear, pure, innocent, desolate and cut off”. The LORD promised to make “pure and innocent” the “blood” or “extreme guilt” of the people in Judah whom He had not “cleansed” before.

The verse continues, “for the LORD dwells in Zion.” Joel added, “for the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “dwells” or “settles down, abides, tabernacles and resides” “in Zion” which means “parched place” and refers to “another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books”. The reason the LORD would “cleanse” Judah's “blood” and “extreme guilt” was because He would be “abiding” in “Jerusalem”.

When we consider these final words of Joel, we reflect upon how wicked the people of Judah were in the beginning of his prophesy. Only after the LORD saw the enemy nations come against Judah did He respond with a resounding “roar and voice” which altered everything. The LORD's grace and mercy go beyond the wickedness people have done, and when a person receives Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD, He is able to “cleansed their blood that” He has “not cleansed”. May all who read these words turn to the LORD Jesus and have their “blood cleansed” by the only One who can do so.

Next time we will begin a new book named “Ephesians” and see what Paul the apostle has to say to the church located there, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.