Joel 1:1-12

It's difficult not to be astonished by the strong language used in the minor prophets. It gives us a glimpse into God's mind, that we might see how He hates sin, yet loves us. I see this to be a consistent theme of the minor prophets: declaration of judgment with calls of repentance and promises of acceptance when faithful to repent peppered through them. These are incredibly interesting books to study, and I would encourage you not to simply allow your study to stop after we conclude Joel, but to continue on in the minor prophets. If you're anything like me, you overlook them constantly when considering what to read in your times in the Word. Well, onto today's section.

Locusts destroyed all of the crops. As a result, the people are unable to give their grain and drink offerings. (verses 9-11). God calls them on the fact that they have not given their offerings in verse 13 (sorry to jump ahead of our schedule, but I found this really interesting). "Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God." Our offerings to God are contingent on God giving us something to offer, then the ability to offer them. Even though God has cut off the ability for the people to give such offerings, they are still required. This puts the people in an impossible situation. They seem to be unable to please the Lord in themselves. Sound familiar? I found this to be an excellent reminder as it pertains to tithing, which our church has been addressing. Everything I have has come from God, and I am to give the firstfruits of that back to God. It has been quite a helpful reminder as God is dealing with my heart as it comes to giving financially.