Joel 2:11-13, Even Now, Return to Me

# Even Now, Return to Me 
# 雖然如此, 應當回轉歸向我
## Joel 約珥 2:11-13

>>>
+ Times of **overwhelming** disaster
  + far beyond what can handle 
+ I was in US on 9/11/2011
  + live TV when plane hit 2nd tower
  + Traumatic time for US
+ **Wildfires**: BC, Calif
  + Earthquake, hurricane 
+ Living in **warzones**: Ukraine, 
  + Israel+Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan

---

# **Disaster** is upon us -- **what** do we do? 災難臨頭, 我們該怎麼辦？

>>>
+ How do we **react** in times of disaster? 
+ How to **cope**, think, move **forward**?
+ e.g., in **pre-K**, Chr sch: 
  + **thunder** storm just outside
+ little kids: very **afraid**
  + tch: how **mighty** is our God!
+ now, thunder not a **disaster**, but
  + **fear** can just as **real**.
+ faced w/**threat** overwhelmingly
  + **beyond** our control:
+ instead of **drowning** in anxiety,
  + **turn** our attention
+ behold the **Lamb** of God
  + who **takes away** sin of world
______
**[ OPENING PRAYER ]**

---

## Joel: Even Now, Return
1. **Ruin**: The *Day* of the LORD 
 變成荒涼：主的日子 [(1:1-2:11)](# "ref")
2. **Return**: The *Call* of God 
 回轉歸神：神的呼召 [(2:12-17)](# "ref")
3. **Renewal**: The *Promise* of God 
 重新得力：神的應許 [(2:18-32)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **many** disasters rec. in Bible
  + today, turn to book **Joel** (3ch)
+ only time for brief **overview**, but
  + pls **read** on own this wk
+ likely lived pre-exile, early 6c BC
  + Isr. already **rebellious**
+ 1. **warn** of coming judgment (ruin)
+ 2. **still time** to repent (return)
+ 3. **promise** of new life (renewal)
+ **ruin** in 2 parts:

---
## 1. Day of the LORD 主的日子 
+ **Natural** disasters 天然災害:
  + *Famine*, drought [(ch1)](# "ref")
  + Affects *land*, animals, people
+ **Human** disasters 人類災難:
  + Armies of God [(2:1-11)](# "ref")
  + Sun/moon/stars darkened [(2:10)](# "ref")
  + The LORD thunders [(2:11)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Natural** and **human**
  + Both from God, **consequence** of sin
+ Earthquake / typhoon 
  + not nec God's direct **punish**
  + but still **conseq** of sin:
+ bc man's **rebellion** against God,
  + **creation** is broken,
  + fallen from orig. **good** design.
+ Disasters in Joel are **directly** from God
+ ch1 desc. **impact** of **natural** dis.
  + on **land**, **animals**, **people**
+ Describes a huge swarm of **locust**,
  + followed by **drought**:

---

What the **locust swarm** has left 
the **great locusts** have eaten

蝗蟲剩下的， 蝻子來吃

[Joel 約珥 1:4 (NIV/CUV)](# "ref")
[© 2009 Wild Center, CC BY-NC 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/thewildcenter/5574220011 "caption")

>>>
+ locust: short-horned **grasshoppers**
  + normally **solitary**, but
  + **swarm** when crowded
  + up to **50M** / km2 (5 qian wan)
+ not 4 **species** of locust, but
  + 4 **stages** of growth

---

[Distribution of Melanoplus spretus, 1877. C.V. Riley](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanoplus_distribution.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ 1875 Rocky-Mtn **locust**, "Albert's swarm":
  + est cover 0.5M km2 (50 wan), depth 1.5km
  + 3-12T locust (30-120 yi) total
+ catastrophic for **land**
  + consequences for **animals**:

---

How the **beasts** groan! 
The **herds** of cattle wander aimlessly 
Because there is no **pasture** for them

牲畜哀鳴； 牛群混亂， 因為無草

[Joel 約珥 1:18 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[© @VirtualSteve, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARiverina_Sheep_%28during_drought%29.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ when disaster strikes 1part **food chain**
+ it affects **everything**, bc
  + we are all **interdependent**
+ **food** doesn't just 
  + **magically** appear at supermarket
+ supply chain is **powered** by
  + farmers, manufacturers,
  + distributors, drivers, retailers
+ from **land** to **animals** to **people**:

---

**Rejoicing** dries up from the **sons of men**

眾人的喜樂盡都消滅

[Joel 約珥 1:12 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Yuriria, Mexico.  Cristian Newman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Zi8-E3qJ_RM "caption")

>>>
+ locust + drought ⇒ **famine**
  + ⇒ **economy** in freefall
+ **Human** cost
+ try to **celebrate** small victories
  + but hard to have **reason** to rejoice
+ esp. when exp. **pain** or loss

---
## 1. Day of the LORD 主的日子 
+ Natural disasters 天然災害:
  + Affects land, animals, people
+ **Human disasters 人類災難**:
  + *Armies* of God [(2:1-11)](# "ref")
  + *Sun*/moon/stars darkened [(2:10)](# "ref")
  + The *LORD* thunders [(2:11)](# "ref")

>>>
+ next **stage** of disaster **human**:
  + **violence**, war, instability
+ **also** consequences of sin
+ some violence is man's **selfishness**
+ some is brought about by **God**:

---

Blow a **trumpet** in Zion, 
And sound an **alarm** on My holy mountain! 
Let all the inhabitants of the land **tremble**, 
For the **day of the Lord** is coming

你們要在錫安吹角， 在我聖山吹出大聲。 
國中的居民都要發顫； 因為耶和華的日子將到

[Joel 約珥 2:1 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption")

>>>
+ "trumpet / alarm": **warning** of threat
+ "Day of the Lord": day of **judgment**
+ 3:14 "valley of decision"
  + sharp cut, divide:
  + sheep vs goats
+ God **approaches** w/army

---

Before them the **earth** shakes, 
the **heavens** tremble, 
The **sun** and **moon** are darkened, 
and the **stars** no longer shine.

他們一來， 地震天動， 
日月昏暗， 星宿無光。

[Joel 約珥 2:10 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Ryan Hutton](https://unsplash.com/photos/Jztmx9yqjBw "caption")

>>>
+ Although creation is under our **care**,
  + should not think can **save** it
  + by our **efforts**
+ JJ: looking forward to **heaven** 
  + bc can play w/**dinosaurs**
+ yes, but before that: **judgment**
+ the **people** tremble,
  + even the **earth** + sky,
+ all **creation** trembles
  + before its **Creator**:

---

The LORD **thunders** at the head of his army ... 
The **day of the LORD** is great; it is dreadful. 
Who can **endure** it?

耶和華在他軍旅前發聲 ... 
因為耶和華的日子大而可畏， 
誰能當得起呢？

[Joel 約珥 2:11 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Breno Machado](https://unsplash.com/photos/in9-n0JwgZ0 "caption")

>>>
+ foolish to think I can **handle** it
+ I have my: money, edu, contacts,
  + **ethics**, morals
+ I endure a bit of **suffering** and
  + feel **strong** enough
+ but I am **not prepared** to face
  + the day of **judgment** at
  + hands of Almighty **Creator**

---

# Do I **anticipate** the day of the LORD, or **ignore** it? 我是否預想準備 主的日子, 或是忽視它？

>>>
+ "too **busy** to think abt it"
+ Why **talk** about disaster?
  + want to hear sth **encouraging**!
  + focus on God's **compassion**!
+ "can't **do** anything about it"
  + ⇒ go about own biz
+ "**too late**, irredeemable"
  + already **messed** up,
  + just go **all the way**
+ But **disaster** from the Lord
  + is **coming**, like it or not;
+ **How** shall we respond?

---

## Joel: Even Now, Return
1. Ruin: The Day of the LORD 
 變成荒涼：主的日子 [(1:1-2:11)](# "ref")
2. **Return: The Call of God** 
 **回轉歸神：神的呼召** [(2:12-17)](# "ref")
3. Renewal: The Promise of God 
 重新得力：神的應許 [(2:18-32)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God's **judgment** is coming,
+ so what are we supposed to **do**?
+ early ch2: all creation **trembles**
  + as God **approaches**
+ v11 Lord **thunders** from head army:
  + what does He **say**?
+ 3 parts of God's **call**:

---
## 2. Call of God 神的呼召 
+ **Rend** Your Heart 
 撕裂你的心腸 [(2:13)](# "ref")
+ **Rally** the Survivors 
 鼓勵剩下的人 [(2:15-17)](# "ref")
+ **Return** to the LORD our God 
 回轉歸向主我們的神 [(2:12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God does **not** yet say,
  + that's it, you're **done**, fail
+ not **summative** but **formative**:
  + **call** to change
+ **rend**, rally, return

---

"Yet **even now**," declares the LORD, 
"Return to me with **all your heart**, 
And with fasting and **weeping** and mourning."

耶和華說： 
雖然如此，你們應當禁食、 
哭泣、悲哀，一心歸向我。

[Joel 約珥 2:12 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Milada Vigerova](https://unsplash.com/photos/pHR_S0PeOF0 "caption")

>>>
+ "Even now": in midst of **disaster**
  + while you are **hurting**
+ **still** time, not too late yet
  + life ⇒ **hope**
+ fasting + **weeping** is 
+ not about outward **appearance**
  + of **humility**, but:

---

Rend your **heart** and not your **garments**

你們要撕裂心腸， 不撕裂衣服

[Joel 約珥 2:13 (NIV/CUV)](# "ref")
[© 2012 Bethany Petrik, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethanypetrik/7978577868/ "caption")

>>>
+ not conjuring up **emotion**
  + **crying** hard / long enough
+ to **satisfy** God's anger
  + make Him **happy** w/us again
+ God's looking for **change** of heart
+ e.g., JJ **hit** mom: 
  + must pray + say **sorry**
  + ok **done**, can go play?
+ **punish** him? timeout, spank, etc.
  + ⇒ **martyr**!
+ can't force **change of heart** in others 
  + but can cultivate in **myself**
+ indeed, JJ has since learned 
  + **empathy** 
  + appeal to **reason**, not coercion

---

For you do not delight in **sacrifice**, 
otherwise I would give it. 
You do not take pleasure in **burnt offering**.

你本不喜愛祭物，若喜愛，我就獻上； 
燔祭，你也不喜悅。

[Psalm 詩篇 51:16 (NASB/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Olivia Snow](https://unsplash.com/photos/CPPFtCHY6mo "caption")

---

The sacrifices of God are a **broken spirit**; 
a **broken** and a **contrite** heart, 
God, You will not despise.

神所要的祭就是憂傷的靈； 
神啊，憂傷痛悔的心，你必不輕看。

[Psalm 詩篇 51:17 (NASB/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not just sorry bc **punished**
  + disaster / disease / famine
+ but realize what we've done **wrong**
  + desire to be **boss** of own life
+ ack **extent** + severity of our
  + **rebellion** against God
______
+ comes from an
+ intense, unveiled understanding of
  + God's **holiness** in Bible,
+ honest, undeflected examination of
  + own **sinfulness**, drives us to
+ desperate, un-entitled reliance on
  + Christ's **grace**, manifest in
+ repentant, holy **living**
  + empowered by **HS**
+ (1) rend your **heart**; next:

---
## 2. Call of God 神的呼召 
+ Rend Your Heart 
 撕裂你的心腸 [(2:13)](# "ref")
+ **Rally the Survivors** 
 **鼓勵剩下的人** [(2:15-17)](# "ref")
+ Return to the LORD our God 
 回轉歸向主我們的神 [(2:12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ (2) **rally** the faithful:
+ Not meant for us to suffer **alone**
+ **Call* together all who would
  + **repent** + earnestly seek God

---

Blow the **trumpet** in Zion, 
declare a holy **fast**, call a sacred **assembly**. 
**Gather** the people, **consecrate** the assembly

你們要在錫安吹角， 
分定禁食的日子， 宣告嚴肅會。 
聚集眾民， 使會眾自潔

[Joel 約珥 2:15-16 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[© 2010 @bigbirdz, CC BY 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbirdz/5024081279 "caption")

>>>
+ *elders*: civic **leaders**
+ *infant*: **involve**, not exclude
+ *bride*/groom: out of chamber:
  + deeply in **love**, but
  + this is a **priority**
+ *priests*: weep at the **altar**
+ ⇒ rally to do what?

---
## 2. Call of God 神的呼召 
+ Rend Your Heart 
 撕裂你的心腸 [(2:13)](# "ref")
+ Rally the Survivors 
 鼓勵剩下的人 [(2:15-17)](# "ref")
+ **Return to the LORD our God** 
 **回轉歸向主我們的神** [(2:12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Turn back** to God
  + who **redeems** us

---

**Return** to the LORD your God, 
for he is **gracious** and **compassionate**, 
slow to **anger** and abounding in **love**, 
and he **relents** from sending calamity.

歸向耶和華─你們的神； 
因為他有恩典，有憐憫， 
不輕易發怒，有豐盛的慈愛， 
並且後悔不降所說的災。

[Joel 約珥 2:13 (NIV/CUV)](# "ref")
[Shontz Photography](https://unsplash.com/photos/y4v96Sy2ne4 "caption")

>>>
+ **return** to God, because of
  + the **nature** of God
+ how God **introduced** self on
  + Mt Sinai (Ex 34:5-6)
  + and **re**-intro self here
+ **justice** + **mercy**
  + kindness + severity
+ God doesn't **delight** in our suffer
  + but longs to show **mercy**
+ channel our **sorrow** + pain
  + into desperate **return**
+ to Shepherd + Guardian of our souls

---

# Will we **rend** our hearts, **rally** together, and **return** to our God? 我們會撕裂我們的心腸, 彼此互相鼓勵, 回轉歸向我們的神嗎?

>>>
+ **together**, not individual:
+ **sin** affects the community,
  + **disaster** strikes us all,
+ so **repentance**  is up to
  + **community** of faithful:
+ **repent** in humility of heart,
  + call an **assembly** of faithful
  + **return** to the Lord, knowing
+ He is **gracious** + compassionate

---

## Joel: Even Now, Return
1. Ruin: The Day of the LORD 
 變成荒涼：主的日子 [(1:1-2:11)](# "ref")
2. Return: The Call of God 
 回轉歸神：神的呼召 [(2:12-17)](# "ref")
3. **Renewal: The Promise of God** 
 **重新得力：神的應許** [(2:18-32)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Disaster** is coming, for which 
  + we are utterly **unprepared**:
  + the **day** of God's judgment
+ When we **repent** + return to God,
  + there is a **promise**:
+ the same awe-inspiring **power**
  + that **humbled** us
  + now **rescues** us

---
## 3. Promise of God 神的應許 
+ Renewed **Nature** 被更新的自然界 [(2:18-27)](# "ref")
  + Comfort: *land*, *animals*, *people*
  + 得著安慰：土地, 動物, 人
+ Redeemed **Spirit** 被救贖的靈 [(2:28-32)](# "ref")
  + To all who *call* on His name
  + 是給凡呼求 祂名的人
+ Restored **Nation** 被復興的萬民 [(ch3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ sin corrupted **creation**
  + God's grace can **renew** it
+ sin broke our **relationship** w/God
  + God's Spirit can **redeem** it
+ sin made us **laughingstock** 
  + of the nations
+ God's power can **restore** 
  + and vindicate us
+ This is what happens when we
  + humbly **repent**:

---

Then the LORD will be **zealous** for His land 
And will have **pity** on His people.

耶和華就為自己的地發熱心， 
憐恤他的百姓。

[Joel 約珥 2:18 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[John Bridges, "Christ Healing the Mother of Simon Peter’s Wife", 1839](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AChrist_Healing_the_Mother_of_Simon_Peter%E2%80%99s_Wife_by_John_Bridges.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ God acts w/both zeal + pity:
  + **zeal**/jealousy: passion
  + *pity*: **compassion**, tenderness
+ in ch1 these 3 **groups** mourned:
  + land, animals, people
+ so in v21-23:

---

Do not fear, **land**; shout for joy and rejoice, 
For the LORD has done **great** things.

地土啊，不要懼怕； 要歡喜快樂， 
因為耶和華行了大事。

[Joel 約珥 2:21 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Zugr](https://unsplash.com/photos/kmF_Aq8gkp0 "caption")

>>>
+ 3 **crops** grain/wine/oil 
  + are also **restored**
  + (1:10) (2:19,24) (3:13)
+ when the **land** is restored, also

---

Do not fear, **beasts** of the field, 
For the **pastures** of the wilderness 
have turned **green**

田野的走獸啊，不要懼怕； 
因為，曠野的草發生

[Joel 約珥 2:22 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Flängan, Norberg.  Adam Morse](https://unsplash.com/photos/M7fi58_dF5k "caption")

>>>
+ the **animals** also:
  + from **mourning** to **joy**
+ God is **able** to bring healing
  + to **this** world
  + in **this** life, but
+ even **more** we look forward to
  + a **new** heaven + earth
  + w/o **sickness** / death
+ And bc we **trust** in Him,

---

So rejoice, O **sons of Zion**, 
And be glad in the **LORD your God**; 
For He has given you 
the early **rain** for your **vindication**.

錫安的民哪，你們要快樂， 
為耶和華─你們的神歡喜； 
因他賜給你們合宜的秋雨

[Joel 約珥 2:23 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Mike Kotsch](https://unsplash.com/photos/HNx4QLRgy2k "caption")

>>>
+ **we** also rejoice:
+ our **joy** is God **Himself**
  + not just His **blessings**
+ "vindication": proved right
  + for our **trust** in God
+ **Why** does God heal us?
  + Not bc we're **entitled**
+ Not **suffer** more ⇒ bless more
+ God's **purpose** in healing us
  + is in v27:

---

Then you will know that I am **in Israel**, 
that I am the LORD **your God**, 
and that there is **no other**; 
never again will my people be **shamed**.

你們必知道我是在以色列中間， 
又知道我是耶和華─你們的神； 
在我以外並無別神。 
我的百姓必永遠不致羞愧

[Joel 約珥 2:27 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption")

>>>
So we will know:
1. God is **here** (midst) (Canada)
2. God is **our** God (rl, covenant)
3. God is the **only** God (none other can save)
4. God is our **vindication** (only src pride) 
+ So God renews **nature**, and
+ **restores** our rl w/Him:

---

And afterward, I will pour out 
**my Spirit** on all people

以後，我要將我的靈澆灌凡有血氣的

[Joel 約珥 2:28 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Jean Restout, "Pentecôte", 1732](http://www.wga.hu/html/r/restout/jean2/pentecos.html "caption")

>>>
+ **redeem** broken rl w/God
+ quoted in Acts 2: **Pentecost**
+ As in Acts, HS **enables** people
  + from **all** nations + tongues
+ to **repent** + be **baptized**
  + into **discipleship** of Christ
+ displays miraculous **signs**:
  + both **awesome** and **awful**

---

The sun will be turned to **darkness** and 
the moon to **blood** before the coming of 
the great and dreadful **day of the LORD**

日頭要變為黑暗，月亮要變為血， 
這都在耶和華大而可畏的日子未到以前

[Joel 約珥 2:31 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Nousnou Iwasaki](https://unsplash.com/photos/Dc3YQuyr2pU "caption")

>>>
+ echo 2:10 Lord coming w/army
+ lastly: the LORD **speaks**/thunders
  + what does He say?

---

And everyone who calls on the 
**name of the LORD** will be **saved** ... 
even among the **survivors** whom the Lord **calls**.

凡求告耶和華名的就必得救； ... 
在剩下的人中必有耶和華所召的

[Joel 約珥 2:32 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")
[Plattenkogel, Austria. Lukas Budimaier](https://unsplash.com/photos/6cY-FvMlmkQ "caption")

>>>
+ quoted in Rom 10:13:
  + **calls** from all nations
+ Not **magic** words: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" 
+ not rely own **strength** / wisdom:
  + "I can handle it, **prepared**" 
+ not rely own **righteousness**:
  + "tried my **best**:
  + surely **good** enough?" 
+ but call on **name of the LORD**:
  + rely fully on **grace**
+ **obey** fully in trust:
  + "Not my will, but Thine"

---

# Am I **prepared** for the **day** of the **LORD**? 我對於主的日子準備好了嗎？

>>>
+ I'm too **busy** surviving
  + too much **hurt**
  + tell me about God's **love**
  + not God's **justice**
+ I don't **think** about it:
  + **Far** off, irrelevant
  + Can't do anything **about** it
+ I'm not **worried**, I'm ready:
  + can **handle** it (own **might**)
  + tried my **best**
    + (own **righteousness**)
+ Amid **disaster**, remember 
  + God's **promise** in Joel:

---

And everyone who calls on 
the **name of the LORD** will be **saved**

凡求告耶和華名的就必得救

[Joel 約珥 2:32 (NASB/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **God** calls to us:
+ **rend** our hearts
+ **rally** the congregation
+ **return** to Lord our God

---