Scripture Text: Joel 3:17-18
“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.
“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.
I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion.”
Joel 3:17-18 & 21, ESV
Several years ago, Amos Elon commented in the New Yorker about the unrest that has been a feature of the city of Jerusalem for so long. “Hardly a day passes in the 'holy city’ without a riot or stoning, without cars being torched or firebombs thrown, without attempted lynching or the stabbing of an Israeli by a Palestinian (or vice versa),” he noted. “After each incident, municipal cleaning machines, marked 'CITY OF PEACE’ in three languages, appear on the scene to wash the blood from the streets in time for the next group of tourists to pass by.”
This is still true today–Jerusalem is a place of conflict, yet it will not always be the case. Speaking through the prophet Joel, God promised to make Jerusalem His dwelling place once again (vv. 17-18 & 21).
In the time of David, the Lord chose to reveal Himself in a special way in Jerusalem. In 1 Kings, He called it “the city where I chose to put my Name.” David relocated the tabernacle there, and it was the place where his son Solomon later built the temple. Because of this, the Psalmist described the Lord as “him who dwells in Jerusalem”.
Unfortunately, the people of Judah came to view the presence of the temple as a talisman. They believed that it made them exempt from divine judgment. But, in 586 B.C. God allowed the city of Jerusalem to fall to the Babylonians.
God will restore His people and avenge by declaring perfect righteous judgment upon those who opposed them (v.19). They will be living with eternal security, abundance and peace (vv.18&20).
This brings together the judgment day of the Lord (2:27) and the time that He will dwell with His people for all eternity (3:17) are sure to happen to give hope and joy to His people.
Reflect
1. Do you feel hopeless in everything that is happening around you?
2. Do ask yourself when all these things will come to an end?
3. Do so long for the peace, abundance, and joy that you have so much to hope for in life?
Remember
Joel’s promises for Jerusalem are also relevant to us. God will dwell with His people in the New Jerusalem, and He promises to wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Read
Genesis 17:7-8; 1 Kings 11:36; Psalm 132:13-14; Psalm 135:21; Revelation 21:3-4
Pray
Dear LORD, teach me to trust You more and more. Increase my hope that I will long for the day when You will come and dwell with me physically. I praise You and thank You for this living and uplifting promise and what makes heart leap for joy knowing that You also desire to dwell with Your people and that includes me. This I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Comments