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In Christ, Mark
In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in
Zion, My holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade
her.”
“In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills
will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain
will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias. But
Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the
people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. Judah will be
inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. Shall I leave their
innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion!”
Joel 3: 17-21
This ends today’s
reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
How many times have we heard nations who openly profess
themselves as enemies of Israel make bold statement about destroying the
country and all of its people?
More than a few times I am afraid.
So does Israel have anything to worry about? Could some
rogue state really succeed in making good on its threats and wiping the nation
of Israel off of the world map?
The answer is no. A certain and resounding no.
How can I say that with absolute confidence?
Because it’s really not me saying it but rather the word of
God. Look at this closing passage from the Book of Joel and the Lord’s promised
blessings and protection for His nation and people:
“Then you will know
that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, My holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy;
never again will foreigners invade her.”
“In that day the
mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the
ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s
house and will water the valley of acacias. But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a
desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land
they shed innocent blood. Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through
all generations. Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.”
The Lord dwells in Zion!” Joel 3: 17-21
In prior verses in this chapter, we know that God was going
to restore His people back to Canaan after they had served the full term of
their seventy year sentence of exile in Babylon. During their return and work
toward rebuilding their homeland, God would be turning His attention to the
nations who had wronged Israel and Judah, bringing them to trial for their
actions and sentencing them to their own judgments. In doing this, God was
sending a message that He would severely deal with any nation who mistreated
the Israelites and in our passage today, He assures His people then and now
that He would ensure they would always live in the land He gave them and never
have to fear foreigners invading again. Judah and Jerusalem would be inhabited forever,
throughout all generations. Indeed, Israel has survived for more than 2,000 years
since these words we read in Joel were spoken and they will continue to survive
and endure forever more. God said it would be so as He pronounced blessings on
His people, blessings that included:
1. Mountains that would drip new wine.
2. Hills flowing with milk.
3. Ravines running with water.
4. Fountains from the Lord’s house would water the acacias.
These are not just signs of life but signs of thriving life
as God would give His people an abundance of what they needed.
As for their enemies (Egypt and Edom are specifically called
out here), there would be destruction, desolation, and bloodshed as God brought
on them what they had brought on the Israelites. They would get what they
deserved for mistreating God’s chosen people.
Yes, the enemies of Israel had best take notice of these
words from this lesser known book of the Bible. For any attempt to harm God’s
beloved country and those who dwell within it will result not only in the
attacking nation being unsuccessful but that nation being in the crosshairs of
God’s punishment, a place no country should want to be.
Judah and Jerusalem will be inhabited forever and the Lord
will dwell with His people, serving as their almighty refuge and stronghold.
You can absolutely count on it because God promised it and He never breaks His
promises.
Amen
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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