Running To and Fro Joel 2:9

As Joel the prophet described the invading “nation” who were to conquer Judah, he wrote how they would not “thrust another” as to break their ranks or paths, and if they “fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded”. In chapter two and verse nine of his prophecy, Joel shared how the people of the invading “nation” would “run to and fro” where we read:

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall,

they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

The verse begins, “They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall,...” Joel began with the phrase, “They shall run to and fro”” which means “bring or move quickly, hurry about, rush back and forth, rove” “in the city” which refers to “the place of excitement, anguish and terror or a town of waking which is guarded”; “they shall run” or “dart, bring or move quickly and hurry” “upon the wall” which refers to “a joined wall of protection”. This “nation” would move so quickly and agile that the city would be covered by them and not even the “wall” of the city would keep them out.

The verse goes on to say, “...they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.” Joel added, “they shall climb up” or “go up, ascend, spring up or shoot forth” “upon the houses” which means “dwellings, habitations and shelters”; “they shall enter in” or “go in, come in, attain and bring upon” “at the windows” or “piercing of a wall” “like a thief” which means “stealer”. When the invading army comes upon Judah, they shall assail the people of Judah's “houses”, and they will enter their “windows” like thieves in the night.

When we think through these words of Joel, we understand again the “fierceness” of this enemy. They were quick, agile, able to leap and are covert like “thieves” as they took over Judah. This is the way the enemy of our soul comes against us. He is “quick”, “crafty, “agile, and comes in like a “thief” to “steal, kill and destroy” us if he can. We must keep our relationship with Jesus Christ close as our enemy comes in. Only by the strength of Jesus Christ and by the power of God the Father and the Holy Spirit will we ward off his crafty attacks. May the Lord keep us close to him as we face the enemy's afflictions.

Next time shares about the “earth quaking” and the “earth trembling”, 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.