Joel 1-3; Matthew 10
Joel 1-3
The central theme of the prophecy of Joel is the Day of the Lord. This is a special day of God's judgment. "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—" (Joel 2:1).
In this context, the prophet calls the people to repentance: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12). Sincere repentance can change God's attitude towards the people: "Then the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people." (Joel 2:18).
The most well-known passage in the book of Joel is the prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. This prophecy is quoted by the apostle Peter in his sermon: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28). This part of the prophecy was fulfilled that day. Another part will be fulfilled during the second coming of Christ. The keywords are: "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (Joel 2:32).
Matthew 10
This chapter is dedicated to the calling of the disciples and instructions for their ministry. These instructions applied both to their immediate mission and to their more distant future ministry. The instructions focus on several key circumstances:
- Christ sends the disciples primarily to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to the Jews (Matthew 10:6).
- Christ gave the disciples special power to perform miracles, heal, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8).
- Not everyone will accept their message (Matthew 10:11-15).
- Many will react to the message with hostility (Matthew 10:16-37).
- By preaching the Gospel, the disciples represent Christ Himself: "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." (Matthew 10:40).
The central theme of the prophecy of Joel is the Day of the Lord. This is a special day of God's judgment. "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—" (Joel 2:1).
In this context, the prophet calls the people to repentance: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12). Sincere repentance can change God's attitude towards the people: "Then the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people." (Joel 2:18).
The most well-known passage in the book of Joel is the prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. This prophecy is quoted by the apostle Peter in his sermon: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28). This part of the prophecy was fulfilled that day. Another part will be fulfilled during the second coming of Christ. The keywords are: "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (Joel 2:32).
Matthew 10
This chapter is dedicated to the calling of the disciples and instructions for their ministry. These instructions applied both to their immediate mission and to their more distant future ministry. The instructions focus on several key circumstances:
- Christ sends the disciples primarily to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to the Jews (Matthew 10:6).
- Christ gave the disciples special power to perform miracles, heal, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:8).
- Not everyone will accept their message (Matthew 10:11-15).
- Many will react to the message with hostility (Matthew 10:16-37).
- By preaching the Gospel, the disciples represent Christ Himself: "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." (Matthew 10:40).
Posted in Reading Bible Together