Joel - Free sermon outlines, Bible study and

For the wheat and the barley,Because the harvest of the field is destroyed.The vine dries up and the fig tree fails;The pomegranate, the palm also, and the apple tree,All the trees of the field dry up.”Key = Connection Between Physical Deprivation and Happiness“Indeed, rejoicing dries up from the sons of men.”4. (:13) Lamented by Worship Leaders (priests / ministers of the altar)“Gird yourselves with sackcloth and lament, O priests;Wail, O ministers of the altar!Come, spend the night in sackcloth O ministers of my God,For the grain offering and the drink offeringare withheld from the house of your God.”Constable: Tragedy of curtailed worshipD. (:14-15) Devastation Interpreted – the immediate historical context is but aforeshadowing of the awful coming destruction of the eschatological Day of the Lord;These are the key verses in Chap. 11. (:14) Response of the People: Consecration to the Lorda. Fasting“Consecrate a fast,”b. Assembling (for national day of repentance and pleading)“Proclaim a solemn assembly;Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the landTo the house of the Lord your God,”c. Petitioning“And cry out to the Lord.”2. (:15) Threat from the Almighty: Impending Day of the Lord“Alas for the day!For the day of the Lord is near,And it will come as destruction from the Almighty.”MacArthur: The Heb term “destruction” forms a powerful play on words with the“Almighty.” The notion of invincible strength is foremost; destruction at the hand ofomnipotent God is coming.E. (:16-20) Devastation Detailed1. (:16) Summary Impacta. In the Physical Realm – Very Abrupt“Has not food been cut off before our eyes”