In the early 1990’s I read a book by Charles Colson, entitled “Against the Night.” He visualized barbarians already having invaded our culture left a lasting impression on me. He noted, “I believe that we do face a crisis in Western culture, and that it presents the greatest threat to civilization since the barbarians invaded Rome….. This time the invaders have come from within. We have bred them in our families and trained them in our classrooms….. Most of them are attractive and pleasant; their ideas are persuasive and subtle. Yet these men and women threaten our most cherished institutions and our very character as a people.” Today, there is talk of our culture becoming “paganized.”
God spoke through the prophet Joel concerning of a coming invasion of locust plague as a destructive invasion, referring it to “a day of the Lord.” The date of Joel’s prophecy is uncertain, as well as the interpretation of the locusts. In this blog I would like to suggest the invasion of the locust as being compared to the “barbarians,” Colson talked about almost 30 years ago.
We are being warned to be aware of how we are relate to God in our day. Eugene Peterson said, “The powerful picture has kept God’s people alert to the eternal consequences of their decisions for many centuries.” “Such an event,” Peterson believes, “simply exposes the moral or spiritual reality that already exists but was hidden beneath an overlay of routine, self-preoccupation, and business as usual.” We can certainly see how the barbarians have been at work in our culture.
The invasion of locusts calls the people not only to lament but also to repent. The ultimate focus is not despair but on God who dwells among the people. “Rather then simply being the reminder of a catastrophe, the prophecy also serves as a model. Destruction, lamentation, and repentance leading to restoration are steps applicable to many periods of existence, both for a nation and for an individual. The prophecy can well serve as a liturgy for life” (NIVZSB).
It seems to me, thinking of Joel as a “liturgy for life,” would be helpful for men wanting to engage of culture that has been invaded by “barbarians.” Joel cries out to the people , “Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem! Raise the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us. It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness” (Joel 2:1-2). This is an urgent wake up call for the people of God to seek God during a time of real spiritual darkness.
Joel’s call is urgent. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly” (Joel 2:15). He urges them to pray, “Spare your people, O Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should the say among the people, ‘Where is their God'” (Joel 2:17).
Joel urges repentance with these words, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:13). Then he adds, “he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing” (Joel 2:14). Awakening is left in God’s hands, while 0ur task is to sincerely and fervently cry out to the Lord.
Joel then gives encouragement. “Then the Lord will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people” (Joel 2:18). Later God promises, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25) while pouring out his Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28).
I love to bake when it is cold and the apartment is full of good aromas. I plan to go to Exercise class and Creative Crafts and later Bible Study at church.
Today I am going to make spaghetti pies and wrap gifts etc.
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