Blow the Trumpet - Again Joel 2:15

As Joel the prophet continued to share with the people of Judah, he told them of the horrors that would accompany the invading “nation” because of Judah's apostasy. He also called them to “rend” their “hearts” and not their “garments”and he wondered “ who knows if he will return and repent”. In chapter two and verse fifteen of his prophecy, Joel declares again, “Blow the trumpet in Zion” where we read:

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

The verse begins, “Blow the trumpet in Zion,...” Joel began with the word, “Blow” which means “clap, strike, sound, thrust and blast” “the trumpet” which is the Hebrew word “Showphar” or the “cornet, horn or ram's horn” “in Zion” which means “parched place” and is “another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books”. Once again Joel calls for the “trumpet” to be sounded in the land of Judah as a signal to the people.

The verse continues, “...sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:” Joel added the word, “sanctify” or “consecrate, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, holy, sanctified and separate” “a fast” which means “a denial of food, drink or fleshly things”, “call” or “recite, read, cry out, proclaim and utter a loud sound” “a solemn assembly” or “sacred meeting, assemblage, company or group”. Joel desired for the people of Judah to set apart and consecrate themselves in a “sacred meeting” which would demonstrate humility before the LORD.

When we think through these words of Joel, we see the benefit to “setting” ourselves apart and “calling” for a “sacred meeting” to observe the LORD and His ways in our lives. Jesus Christ set Himself apart before the Heavenly Father, and Joel's exhortation as well as Jesus' example should be the inspiration for us to do the same. May the LORD show us the benefits to humbling ourselves before Him, and as we do, may He pour out His Spirit upon us.

Next time we see how Joel wrote, “gather, sanctify, assemble and gather” , 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.