As Joel
completed the second chapter of his prophesy, he shared concerning
the LORD “pouring out” His “spirit” upon “all
flesh” and the benefit and “deliverance” promised to
those who “call upon” Him. As Joel began this final
chapter of his prophesy, He shared concerning the LORD “bringing
again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem” where we read:
For,
behold, in those days, and in that time,
when I
shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
The
verse begins, “For, behold, in those days, and in that time,...”
Joel began with the phrase, “For behold in those days”
which is one Hebrew word “yowm” and refers to “a time,
year, period and division of time”, “and in that time”
or “experiences, fortunes, occurrences and occasions”. As Joel
begins this third chapter, he directs the people of Judah's attention
to particular “days” and a specific “time” when
the following events shall occur.
The
verse continues, “...when I shall bring again the captivity of
Judah and Jerusalem” Joel added, “when I bring again”
which is the Hebrew phrase “shuwb shuwb” and means “to turn
back, return or go back” “the captivity” which literally
means “captive ones or prisoners” and figuratively means “a
former state of prosperity” “of Judah” which means
“praised” and refers to “the territory occupied by the tribe of
Judah” “and Jerusalem” which means “teaching of peace”
and is “the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united
kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”.
When
we think through these words of Joel, we realize God has His timing
for everything. Even the “days” and “that time”
when He will regather His people in “Jerusalem and Judah”,
and that “timing” has come in our day. The LORD has
gathered His people back into the land of Israel, and in 1948, they
became a nation again. As we consider this prophetically fulfilled
event and our relationship with Jesus Christ, we should keep in mind
that His Spirit is moving in our day, and if we find ourselves
outside a relationship with Him, let us turn to Him before the
“nations” are judged.
Next
time Joel shares about the LORD “gathering the nations”,
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.
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