LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG (PART II)

“Restoration and Retribution in the DAY of LORD”

By Akin Ojumu

For any Bible text to have true meaning, it must be interpreted perfectly. The effectual and transforming power of the Word of God in our lives comes only when Bible passages are properly understood and precisely applied. Erroneous interpretation, understanding, and application of Scriptures will bring nothing but ruination and devastation to the soul.

Just because a preacher commands a massive following doesn’t mean they are right. And just because what that preacher says makes you feel good about yourself doesn’t mean what they are saying is true or spiritually helpful.

And this is the case with Joel 3:10b which is the subject of this commentary.

Joel 3:10b

“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’”

Starting from where we left off last time. The saying, “Let the weak say I am strong,” is one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood Bible texts by contemporary church folks. When stripped out of its context, it sounds like a piece of Scripture that a Christian could use to encourage and strengthen their faith at moments in life when they feel discouraged and weak. But is that really what Joel 3:10b is about?

The primary subject of the Book of Joel is the coming Day of the LORD. It’s the central theme of Joel’s message. As is common in Bible Prophecies, the Day of the LORD does not always refer to an eschatological event. Sometimes, it has a near historical fulfilment. At other times, the fulfilment is in the distant future. But always, the near historical fulfilment is a type and shadow of the more distant, eschatological fulfilment.

In the Book of Joel, the Prophet spoke to the contemporary historical fulfillment of the Day of the LORD when he described the misery and misfortune that Israel experienced during this period of time in history. He wrote a lamentation of the dire state the people of Israel presently found themselves in.

Emboldened by the perceived military weakness of Israel, a confederacy of enemies tried to capitalize on their powerful armies and superior firepower. They made several successful military incursions into the land of Israel. And they plundered the land of God’s people carting away bountiful spoils of war.

Additionally, the land of Israel was at the same time going through an extended period of drought with no rain for many years. The harvest of the field had perished, the vine dried up, and the pomegranate, palm, apple, and all the trees of the field had withered.

To compound the situation even further, Israel was also experiencing an invasion of various species of locusts; the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.

All of these calamities put together had plunged Israel into severe economic devastation, social deprivation, and spiritual degradation.

Prophet Joel saw these compounding disasters as God’s punishment on His people. He understood that the plunder of Israel’s resources by the enemy and the physical disaster that buffeted the land were God’s judgment on the people for abandoning their God. It was also clear to the Prophet that however harrowing their current predicament was, it would pale in comparison to the punishment that awaits the heathen and unrepentant sinners on the future eschatological Day of the LORD.

As God’s Watchman in the land, Prophet Joel harangued the people for deserting the LORD their God. Using as a backdrop the contemporary infestation of locusts, the Prophet, with an increased level of intensity, painted a vivid and forceful picture of the impending visitation of the LORD upon the wicked.

With powerful and explicit terminology, Joel tenaciously pleaded with his people to repent of their sins. He cried out to God, on their behalf, to show mercy and visit His people again with His blessing. This pretty much sums up the first half of Joel.

In the latter half of the Book of Joel, we read about what would happen immediately prior to and following the Day of the LORD. To His people, God gave a promise material restoration through the divine healing of the land (Joel 2:21-27), spiritual restoration through the divine outpouring of His Spirit (Joel 2:28-32), and national restoration through the divine judgment on their unrighteous enemies (Joel 3:1-21).

While there’s restoration and peace for God’s people, the Day of the LORD will bring about judgment and retribution to God’s enemies. During this time, God will pour out His wrath without measure on all those who are hostile towards Him. Calamity and great upheaval will be visited on everyone who set themselves in opposition to God.

It’s within the context of divine retribution against God’s enemies that Joel 3:10b exists. This verse is talking about what would happen on the Day of LORD, when the armies of God’s enemies would gather in the Valley of Decision in the battle of the Armageddon.

We’ll take it from here next time.