Bible prophesy is something that we should never be ignorant of. In today’s reading we see that the fulfilment of Joel’s writing was only partially fulfilled in the historical setting of Judah’s captivity and return, but there is a greater fulfilment that he spoke about, that is yet to be fulfilled. Have a read.
Joel 3: The LORD Judges the Nations
1 "For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,
3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.
4 "What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily.
5 For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples.
6 You have sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks in order to remove them far from their own border.
7 Behold, I will stir them up from the place to which you have sold them, and I will return your payment on your own head.
8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a nation far away, for the LORD has spoken."
9 Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.
10 Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a warrior."
11 Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD.
12 Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens
and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.
The Glorious Future of Judah
17 "So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.
18 "And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.
19 "Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20 But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations.
21 I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion."
Things to think about…
1. Joel 3 has an immediate and prophetic application at the same time. The Assyrians did take parts of Judah and surrounding areas of Jerusalem, even though they did not take Jerusalem itself. The Jews were scattered among the nations and the land was divided. Judah needed to repent of their rebellion and seek after the Lord. They certainly did that under the godly Judean kings of Hezekiah and Josiah. The rebellion of the Jews meant that they were sold as slaves, even for the most base of evil of purposes – selling a boy or a girl for the services of a prostitute or to be supplied with wine, vs 3. Child slavery is not just a concern from a historical Jewish perspective, but also a modern day curse. Pray for organisations like Destiny rescue and for a greater awareness of the problem through films like the Trade of Innocents. Think about what our response should be individually and as a church to modern day slavery.
2. The Lord says in Joel 3:4-16 that He is about to make a payment, in the form of paying back, vs 4 for the treatment of His people. This is where this chapter not only has historical significance, but prophetic significance as well. There are many places where the scriptures speak about the nations gathering for war against Judah/Jerusalem/Israel. The Lord says He will stir His people up so that they will be drawn back from the nations where they have been sold. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is given as a place where the nations will gather for ’decision’. This decision will be for war in the battle of Armageddon – Ezek 39:11 and Rev 16:16. This will be a final judgement. But before this time the nations are in another ‘Valley of Decision’ with respect to Christ and His payment for sin. The Church’s role and function is to present the message of Christ clearly, so they are without excuse. Pray we do that effectively at CBC? Remember what our Mission/Vision statement is for the church.
3. These final verses in Joel 3:17-21 refer to more than the return of the Jews in 536BC and the building of the second temple after they were taken into Babylon for 70 years of exile. Egypt was not desolate in the sixth Century BC and Jerusalem was not known for its wine and lushness. It could never have been described as flowing with milk and honey at the time. It still remained sparse and unsettled until the Greeks finally took over the land in the mid 4th Century BC. These four verses speak of a future blessing upon Israel that been happening for the past 80 years. We know in the future, that the Mount of Olives will be split and that water will flow from the Lord’s house even into the Valley of Shittim – this area is on the northern tip which flows into the Dead Sea. Even today this is an arid wasteland. This is prophesied in a number of other places including Zech 14, Ezek 47. An excellent documentary that was made a few years ago speaks about this and other incredible prophecies that have come true and are coming true about the world system, Israel and the Jewish people generally, is called the Daniel project, take a look at the tailer… http://www.thedanielprojectmovie.com/trailer.htm
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Discerning how and when to act” – Reading Proverbs 15
1. This chapter has contrasts the good first is listed then the bad. We all have said and done negative things but Solomon is speaking about character. How would others describe you? How would you describe yourself?
2. Do you have multiple “you” personalities? Do you change depending on the situation? Discuss the 4 “you’s” that Jay spoke about on Sunday – 1. You in public 2. You with family 3. You with close friends and 4 You alone. Could you spend time with “you”?
3. Prov 15:11 says “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!”. The true you – I.E when you are alone (with the Lord as your only audience), discuss this verse and what Paul said to the Corinthians ““So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2Cor 5:9, 10. Solomon again in the book of Ecclesiastes said “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Eccl 12:13, 14. The secret thing is you by yourself with only God watching. Discuss these verses.
4. Pray for each other.
Prayer Points
1. Recent challenges and changes to work situations, or health for a few in our church
2. Sally Gauntlett and dear Richard. Sally has Covid.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Returning back to full health.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
3. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for July...
Q.6. What will become of the wicked on the day of judgment? A. They shall be cast into hell.
