Joel the
prophet called for the “trumpet” to be blown “in
Zion”, and he desired for the people to “sanctify a fast”
and “call a solemn assembly”. He knew the LORD might
“repent and return” and “leave a blessing behind”
for the people of Judah, and in chapter two and verse sixteen of his
prophecy, Joel calls for them to “gather, sanctify, assemble and
gather” the people together where we read:
Gather the
people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the
children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go
forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
The
verse begins, “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,
assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the
breasts:” Joel began with the word, “Gather” which
means “receive, bring and assemble” “the people” which
refers to “the nation, persons, members of one's people,
compatriots, country-men, kinsmen and kindred”, “sanctify”
or “consecrate, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, holy,
sanctified and separate” “the congregation” which refers
to “the assembly, company, congregation and organized body”,
“assemble” which means “gather, heap or bring together”
“the elders” or “the older, ancient or aged men and
women”, “gather” which again means “receive, bring and
assemble” “the children” which refers to “infants and
little ones”, “and those those that suck” or “nurse or
suckle” “the breasts” which refers to “the bosom, pap
or teat”. Joel desired for the people to bring all the people of
Judah together whether they were older,younger, immature or mature.
The
verse continues, “let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber,
and the bride out of her closet.” Joel added, “let the
bridegroom” which refers to “the son-in-law or daughter's
husband” “go forth” which means “depart, proceed
toward, and go with purpose or for result” “of his chamber”
or “room, parlor, innermost or inward part”, “and the
bride” which refers to “the daughter in law or young wife”
“out of her closet” which means “chamber, room, canopy and
defense”. Even if people were going to be married, they were to put
aside their prenuptial affairs and come unto the divine appointed
assemblage.
When
we meditate upon Joel's words, we begin to see him call the people to
a corporate humility and fast. The idea was for all people within the
land regardless of whether they were young, old, married or to be
married, they were to assemble together before the LORD. We too may
see the benefit to calling for a nationwide fast and assemblage
before God, and as we align ourselves with our LORD Jesus Christ,
perhaps the LORD will hear our cry and forgive our sins, heal our
land and bless us all for our humility and worship before Him.
Next
time Joel instructs the “priests and ministers” among
the people , 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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