A Divine Warning

A Divine Warning Joel 1:1-12             Life is full of dangers. When there are dangers, we usually appreciate being forewarned about them. Some dangers are so obvious, there’s no need for a warning. I don’t need a warning sign at the edge of the cliff. I know enough to stay well back from the edge. I don’t need the warning on my step ladder that reads “Don’t stand on the top step.”             But some dangers are hidden and without a proper warning, we could be injured or even killed. When you and I see a warning sign or read a warning label on a product, we have a choice to make. We either heed the warning or we ignore it. But if we ignore it, those who posted the warning aren’t responsible for the results of our choice.             Most of us understand how warnings work in the physical world. We know that if we don’t respect or heed those warnings, we could end up paying a high price. But somehow, when it comes to the realm of the spiritual, we think we can ignore the warnings. Or maybe we think they don’t apply to us. That’s a conclusion that can have tragic consequences.             As followers of Jesus, we believe the Holy Scriptures are our guide for living. Its pages are filled with many promises of blessing to those who are faithful and obedient. But there are also many promises of destruction and suffering to those who disobey God’s Word. For the ancient nation of Israel, a synopsis of the Law was given in Deuteronomy 27 and 28. It outlines both the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Moses gave them this word from God just prior to his death and their entrance into the Promised Land.             Like us, the ancient people of God were prone to forgetfulness. Their history was a cycle of ups and downs, economically, and spiritually. Into one such downturn, God sent the prophet, Joel, with a message of warning. Joel’s message was unique to Israel’s experience and history, but we can definitely see what happens to those who fail to heed God’s warnings.             The primary message of Joel’s prophecy centers around the day of the Lord. The usage of this phrase shows up in other Old Testament Scriptures, but Joel is the one who develops it, both in the near future and the ultimate fulfillment in the distant future. And so, for the next several weeks, we’ll be looking together into the book of Joel so we can be adequately prepared for “The Day of the Lord.”              Today, we will be looking together at the first twelve verses of chapter one. I’ve titled my teaching, “A Divine Warning.” I invite you to follow along as I read Joel 1:1 to 12. In this text we see several ASPECTS of the divine warning Joel gives to the people of Judah. Though the circumstances are unique, the principles taught are applicable to us today. The First ASPECT of the Divine Warning is,             The Call to Listen             Joel begins with these words, “Hear this, you elders, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land!” The verb translated as hear is “Shema” in the Hebrew language. It describes both the mental activity of hearing as well as its effects. In other words, the expectation for the person who hears is to obey. In fact, even today, religious Jews refer to the prayer in