Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Aug 29 2019 - Joel 1 – Locusts and a call to repentance

Unlike some other prophetic books, Joel does not tell us when he ministered by giving the name of any of the kings of Judah. As a result, scholars differ widely over the dating of the book. But none of that changes the relevance of its message. Joel contains verses which were quoted by the Apostle Peter to explain what was happening on the day of Pentecost: Joel has a message for us today.

Joel describes a plague of locusts. As you probably know, locusts can strip an area of all its green vegetation in a matter of days. This was one of the plagues God visited on Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery. Now Joel describes a plague of these hungry insects invading the land where his people live (vv.2-4). He paints a vivid picture of the effects of this plague on the inhabitants of the land. They will wail in anguish because they have no grapes and are unable to make wine. The olive harvest has failed and there is no more olive oil. Pomegranate and other fruit trees are dry and bare. The fields have been laid waste and crops destroyed leading to despair among the farmers. "Surely the people’s joy is withered away" (v.12).

Joel may have been describing a literal plague of locusts, sent by God as a judgment on his rebellious people. But in verse 6 he says, "A nation has invaded my land, a mighty army without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness." His description of the locust swarms and the devastation they cause may be a metaphor for the invasion of the land first by the Assyrians and later by the Babylonians. This too was God's judgment upon his rebellious people. John, in Revelation chapter 9 paints a similar picture of a plague of locusts ravaging the earth (9:1-11). His description of the locusts seems to be an elaboration of Joel's prophecy:

The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle… their teeth were like lions’ teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle… They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer). (Revelation 9:7-11)

The plague described in Revelation brings judgment on all humankind. But those upon whom it was sent did not "repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Revelation 9:21).

Joel calls God's people to lament and to turn to the Lord. He urges them to, "cry out to the Lord…     For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty" (Joel 1:14-15). The present destruction is but a prelude to a more serious day of judgment which will surely come if they do not repent. He then sets them an example by his own appeal to the Lord (vv. 19-20).

Jesus also used disasters as warnings of a greater judgment to come. He was once asked about "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1). Why did God allow this to happen? Jesus answers them with a more difficult case. What about eighteen men who had been killed when a tower collapsed on them in Siloam? Jesus asks, "do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:4-5). Present disasters are a warning that there is a great day of judgment to come and that we need to repent of our sin and rebellion and be reconciled with God.

Living God, help us to understand the relevance of each part of your word to our own daily lives. We bless you that we need not fear the great Day of Judgment to come since Jesus has died for us, is risen for us and intercedes for us in heaven. Help us continually to turn to you and call upon your name for mercy upon ourselves and upon the world in which we live. May many cry out to you and come to trust in the Lord Jesus that they too may be saved from the wrath to come.

Aug 29 2020 - Matthew 7:15-29 – A Firm and Fruitful Foundation

A superficial reading of Matthew 7:21-23 may leave one perplexed. Jesus says that those who do the will of his Father will enter the kingdom of heaven but he then rejects many who have prophesied in his name and cast out demons. Surely such acts, particularly the casting out of demons, amount to doing God's will?

However, that is, as I say, a superficial reading of Jesus' words. The parable of the trees and their fruit which precedes these words, and that of the wise and foolish builders which follow, make it clear that Jesus is drawing a contrast between an outward show of religion and true discipleship. A true disciple is one who has been transformed from the inside out; one who obeys Jesus from the heart. The things they do are an expression of who they truly are. Don't be deceived by someone who merely adopts the outward form of religion. They are like a wolf dressed up in the fleece from a sheep. Even more important, don’t be like that yourself.

The well-known parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the same point. For all its architectural innovation and splendour, the house built on sand will be swept away. It is like a sandcastle that you build for a child on the beach. You may put a great deal of work into it and take great pride in your achievement, but it will be swept away by the incoming tide and no trace of it will remain. On the other hand, the house built upon a rock, despite maybe its comparative simplicity, stands firm in the day of trial. It’s the foundations that make all the difference.

The only adequate foundation for a life that will last the test of time and stand secure in the Day of Judgment is Jesus himself and the words that he has spoken.

We need to act as building inspectors of our own lives, ensuring that we are always building on this solid foundation.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand…

His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

On one occasion, I got from the internet plans of the foundations of a variety of buildings and challenged people to identify them. They were able to identify a cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall, even the Whitehouse. This was possible because the general shape of a building is determined by its foundations. In the same way, the life built on Jesus Christ will be Christ shaped and cruciform – a life devoted to the service of others. The fruit of such a life is the result of the branches drawing their sustenance from the tree of life; from Jesus and his cross.

Lord Jesus, help me to build upon this one foundation and, like a master builder, build strong and true. May every other foundation for my life be swept away. Help me not only to recognise your authority but to do what you say. May I daily live in close communion with you and continually draw my life from you, bearing much fruit – fruit that will last.

Peter Misselbrook