The Sun, Moon and Stars Not Shining Joel 3:15

As Joel the prophet describe the LORD calling nations who were opposed to Judah to the “valley of Jehoshaphat”, he told of “Multitudes, multitudes” who were “in the valley of decision”. He declared, “the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” In chapter three and verse fifteen of his prophesy, Joel shared how the “sun, moon and stars” will be affected by this judgment from the LORD. We read:

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

The verse begins, “The sun and the moon shall be darkened,...” Joel began with the phrase, “The sun” or “sunrise and brilliant light of the day” “and the moon” which refers to “the night-time globe orbiting the earth” “shall be darkened” which means “grow dark, blackish and ashy”. The gathering of the “multitudes” for judgment shall cause even the light of the “sun” by day and the “moon” by night to grow dark.

The verse continues, “...and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” Joel added, “and the stars” which refers to “the sense of rolling and blazing of round and shining orbitals in the sky” “shall withdraw” or “remove, gather in, collect, remove and perish” “their shining” which means “brightness, light and glory”. The “stars” in the night will no longer give off their “brilliance and light”.

When we think through these words of Joel, we begin to see the magnitude of the battle that was to ensue. More than lightly, the smoke from the burning of the nations will rise to the sky and block the sun's rays and the moon's shining. The “stars” will not be able to be seen from the fog-like blackness that will cover the sky. This intimidating and awesome picture should have everyone everywhere realize the power of the LORD, and for those nations who stand against Him and His Son Jesus Christ, not even His creation which includes the “sun, moon and stars” will give off their normal brilliance.

Next time Joel shares about the LORD's “roar” and “voice”, 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.