The prophecies of Joel (and the prodigal blogger returns)
It's been a long time since Christmas. There are not-finished drafts in my queue, but since they haven't been finished and posted, they don't do much good. A couple of them will be coming along later, they won't be abandoned.
Our Institute lessons were set up on the calendar for four semesters of the Old Testament, to match up with the chapters in the student manual for the course(s). We checked at the beginning for the first manual, and the teacher materials and student materials matched one-to-one, unlike the materials for the Doctrine & Covenants, where the student manual had a section, however brief or lengthy, for each section of the scripture, and the lessons were sometimes one section and sometimes several. For a couple of the revelations, there were two lessons.
But the Old Testament was straightforward, and matched up precisely, teacher and student sections. At least the first two terms did, so we didn't check on the third and just made up a schedule according to the student manual numbering. Lo and behold, I found that to be in error as I prepared for this week--it said that Joel, Amos, and Jonah were all in one session. There are a couple of other spots that are supposed to be doubled up as well.
When I called the other teacher, (who had made up the calendar back when, and I had just waved any offer to alter it away) he told me that our weeks as we had given them out came to an exact end with the term next fall, and he was going to leave the question alone. So that's what we'll do.
And I'm glad. Because Joel turned out to be a profound experience, and it would not have been so powerful as just the first portion of a quicker look at several things.
The book of Joel was either early or late in the chronology, a case for the middle being proposed by no one. Issues of whether Isaiah quoted him or vice versa may be moot, because how often does the Lord give the same images or instructions to more than one of his servants? The majesty of expression in revealing truth is often paralleled. If the minute structures of language show later-use patterns, it could merely be a later transcription. There is no tagline, "in the days of so-and-so" or during the reign of King 'X'. Joel's message is one for the last days rather than his own time. Doubtless he had messages for his own day, whenever it was, but they don't survive to ours. This jewel of scripture is all that does. I like the statement quoted by Sidney Sperry that "Prophecy and poetry are here inseparably blended."
The first chapter features the description of one plague after another devastating the land, using the image of four separate stages of a plague of locusts, an event (at a normal level) which was familiar to everyone in that part of the earth. Then fire and drought. As we put it in class, if one thing doesn't get you, the next one will.
The first call to fasting comes in chapter one: "Sanctify ye a afast, call a bsolemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord, Alas for the day! for the aday of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (v. 14-15) This is an echo of Moses calling the Israelites to prepare to receive the law. Such a directive was repeated many time in the Old Testament as a prophet strives to reclaim the people to Jehovah.
Chapter 2.has an important correction in the JST: (Changes from the King James are in bold type.)
Our Institute lessons were set up on the calendar for four semesters of the Old Testament, to match up with the chapters in the student manual for the course(s). We checked at the beginning for the first manual, and the teacher materials and student materials matched one-to-one, unlike the materials for the Doctrine & Covenants, where the student manual had a section, however brief or lengthy, for each section of the scripture, and the lessons were sometimes one section and sometimes several. For a couple of the revelations, there were two lessons.
But the Old Testament was straightforward, and matched up precisely, teacher and student sections. At least the first two terms did, so we didn't check on the third and just made up a schedule according to the student manual numbering. Lo and behold, I found that to be in error as I prepared for this week--it said that Joel, Amos, and Jonah were all in one session. There are a couple of other spots that are supposed to be doubled up as well.
When I called the other teacher, (who had made up the calendar back when, and I had just waved any offer to alter it away) he told me that our weeks as we had given them out came to an exact end with the term next fall, and he was going to leave the question alone. So that's what we'll do.
And I'm glad. Because Joel turned out to be a profound experience, and it would not have been so powerful as just the first portion of a quicker look at several things.
The book of Joel was either early or late in the chronology, a case for the middle being proposed by no one. Issues of whether Isaiah quoted him or vice versa may be moot, because how often does the Lord give the same images or instructions to more than one of his servants? The majesty of expression in revealing truth is often paralleled. If the minute structures of language show later-use patterns, it could merely be a later transcription. There is no tagline, "in the days of so-and-so" or during the reign of King 'X'. Joel's message is one for the last days rather than his own time. Doubtless he had messages for his own day, whenever it was, but they don't survive to ours. This jewel of scripture is all that does. I like the statement quoted by Sidney Sperry that "Prophecy and poetry are here inseparably blended."
The first chapter features the description of one plague after another devastating the land, using the image of four separate stages of a plague of locusts, an event (at a normal level) which was familiar to everyone in that part of the earth. Then fire and drought. As we put it in class, if one thing doesn't get you, the next one will.
The first call to fasting comes in chapter one: "Sanctify ye a afast, call a bsolemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord, Alas for the day! for the aday of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (v. 14-15) This is an echo of Moses calling the Israelites to prepare to receive the law. Such a directive was repeated many time in the Old Testament as a prophet strives to reclaim the people to Jehovah.
Chapter 2.has an important correction in the JST: (Changes from the King James are in bold type.)
.10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble; the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining;
11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army; for his camp is very great, for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning;13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and repent, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and he will turn away the evil from you.14 Therefore repent, and who knoweth but he will return and leave a blessing behind him; that you may offer a meat offering, and a drink offering, unto the Lord your God?15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
The images of plagues, fire, and drought are given us in other books of scripture. In our day, recorded in D&C 29, Joseph Smith was told:
The angel Moroni quoted this verse from Joel to the young Joseph Smith, saying it had not yet been fulfilled but soon would be:
Of all the verses in Joel (which is only three chapters), these are the ones we quote often. What struck me powerfully as I prepared and prayed, was that introductory clause: "and it shall come to pass afterward." After what? Joel has been describing the destructive plagues of locusts, the fire, drought, and the army of God which will sweep through all the earth. 'Afterward' is the Second Coming, heralded by a miraculous sign in heaven visible to all.
As I signified my impressions in class, that "all flesh" in the 'afterward' would be literal, the Spirit swelled our room with power, as I told them that the experience like that on the day of Pentacost would cover the whole earth. Only those who are able to abide at least a terrestrial glory would be left on the earth; the telestial people would be gone. The gifts of the Spirit are not restricted in any time period, Moroni and Mormon are clear on that; angels, miracles, and spiritual gifts are only lost when there is no faith, and so Joel's prophecy is increasingly answered as we draw closer to the day, and the Lord prepares us. He's not saving up spiritual experience, holding it in reserve, until we come to that day. No, he pours out all the blessings we are ready to receive. We do receive that promise.
But we have not grasped the totality of it. Every human soul in every place will be filled--together!--with that spirit of prophecy, light, joy, truth, and amazement. Not all will understand what's happening. Can you imagine the people lined up to ask, "Tell me more about this Jesus"? It is the state of their hearts, not only their knowledge, that will save them for that day. Terrestrial glory is that which fits the honorable men of the earth, who do not have the fullness, who may have once declined the message but are ready to receive it now. They are worthy enough for the Savior to be with them. There will be lots of missionary work to do in the Millennium along with the temple work.
One of the sisters said softly before she left class, "I feel like I'm on fire!" We couldn't leave without embracing each other, many of us. I was minded of the day when the city of Enoch would return, that "we will fall upon their necks and they shall fall upon our necks, and kiss each other" for joy shared.
We only dimly perceive the glory that will come.
In section 45:8 Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked.9 For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth;10 For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to pass;11 For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand....13 For a trump shall sound both long and loud, even as upon Mount Sinai, and all the earth shall quake, and they shall come forth—yea, even the dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness, and to be clothed upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one.14 But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath;15 And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men;
Calamities and disasters, and the faithful will yearn toward heaven for relief.33 And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another....
39 And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.40 And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath.41 And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke.42 And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven.43 And the remnant shall be gathered unto this place;
The angel Moroni quoted this verse from Joel to the young Joseph Smith, saying it had not yet been fulfilled but soon would be:
On the day of Pentacost, recorded in Acts 2, there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who were gathered from all the known world for the holy festival which commemorated the bringing of the tablets of the law by Moses. Everyone there was astonished as they heard and experienced the words of God in their own language. Peter stepped forward and quoted these words of Joel and declared the Messiah was Jesus. In the beginning, as the apostles had seen Jesus being taken up into heaven, the angel telling them that in like manner they would see him return in like manner--and they believed, at the beginning, that it would be soon.And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29)
Of all the verses in Joel (which is only three chapters), these are the ones we quote often. What struck me powerfully as I prepared and prayed, was that introductory clause: "and it shall come to pass afterward." After what? Joel has been describing the destructive plagues of locusts, the fire, drought, and the army of God which will sweep through all the earth. 'Afterward' is the Second Coming, heralded by a miraculous sign in heaven visible to all.
As I signified my impressions in class, that "all flesh" in the 'afterward' would be literal, the Spirit swelled our room with power, as I told them that the experience like that on the day of Pentacost would cover the whole earth. Only those who are able to abide at least a terrestrial glory would be left on the earth; the telestial people would be gone. The gifts of the Spirit are not restricted in any time period, Moroni and Mormon are clear on that; angels, miracles, and spiritual gifts are only lost when there is no faith, and so Joel's prophecy is increasingly answered as we draw closer to the day, and the Lord prepares us. He's not saving up spiritual experience, holding it in reserve, until we come to that day. No, he pours out all the blessings we are ready to receive. We do receive that promise.
But we have not grasped the totality of it. Every human soul in every place will be filled--together!--with that spirit of prophecy, light, joy, truth, and amazement. Not all will understand what's happening. Can you imagine the people lined up to ask, "Tell me more about this Jesus"? It is the state of their hearts, not only their knowledge, that will save them for that day. Terrestrial glory is that which fits the honorable men of the earth, who do not have the fullness, who may have once declined the message but are ready to receive it now. They are worthy enough for the Savior to be with them. There will be lots of missionary work to do in the Millennium along with the temple work.
One of the sisters said softly before she left class, "I feel like I'm on fire!" We couldn't leave without embracing each other, many of us. I was minded of the day when the city of Enoch would return, that "we will fall upon their necks and they shall fall upon our necks, and kiss each other" for joy shared.
We only dimly perceive the glory that will come.
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