✝️ Joel 2:12 | Ancient Promise, Today's Reality

Happy Thursday, everyone!

In today’s email…

• ✝️ Joel + the New Testament

• 📱 One step to take today to encourage a fellow believer

• 🔦 Community spotlight

✉️ subscribe here | support our work 👐 

MEMORIZE 🧠 

“Yet ____ ___,” ________ ___ ____,

“return __ __ ____ ___ ____ _____,

____ _______, with w______, and ____ mourning;"

Joel 2:12

CONTEXT 📕 

Unlike some of the other OT prophets, Joel doesn’t explicitly mention a deliverer or messiah.

That said, there are parts of this book that generally point to the messianic time to come. And we see their fulfillment in the New Testament.

On Monday, we saw that Joel refers to a “pouring out” of the Spirit:

This was ultimately fulfilled at Pentecost with Jesus’ disciples, and afterwards with the mass conversions that happened as a result of their preaching:

Simply put, all people, regardless of whether or not they were Hebrew would will equally receive the Spirit of God.

This then leads us to Romans 10, where the apostle Paul quotes Joel 2:32 in his argument for welcoming Gentiles into the covenant.

So, even though Joel doesn’t directly mention a messiah, his words point to a promised restoration that is fulfilled by:

• The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

• The mass conversions when hearing the apostles preach

• The fact that all who call on the name of the Lord, Jew and Gentile, will be saved

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APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

Bring to mind the name of a fellow believer you feel needs to be encouraged and pray for them.

Then, send them a message reminding them that the Holy Spirit - the same Spirit promised in Joel and poured out at Pentecost - lives in them today.

Here’s an example of a message I sent to a few of my closest friends:

Hey guys, I’ve been reading Joel this week and this verse stood out to me. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” Just wanted to encourage you guys - I see the Holy Spirit at work in each of your lives and I’m grateful to get to witness it. Hope you have a great day!

Sometimes a simple reminder that the Spirit of God lives in us can go a long way.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ❤️ 

I have been subscribed for one week and for the first time since being saved 3 years ago, I’ve actually memorized a Bible verse.

I not only am proud of this since I’ve never figured out a way to retain verses, but am certain that as time goes on I can confidently quote scripture in real life situations when needed.

If I want to help others get to know Jesus, discussing my story or experiences are likely not enough. The Word is not only our sword against the enemy but a demonstration of a commitment to live a very specific way. Very grateful for this newsletter!

- Rich C

Love your Friday overview. This week's lesson helped me open my eyes and helped me hold my tongue, not be so judgmental, and be more forgiving. Thank you and thank God for working through you!

- Gage B

SHOUT-OUTS 📣 

HUGE thank you to Tom, Patty and Alyssa for choosing to pay-it-forward so we can keep operating and help more people memorize and learn about God’s Word!

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;"

Joel 2:12