The Pulpit Commentary — Joel — Section 35

prayer deprecates the prospect of God's heritage becoming 3 reproe.ch, e.nd being ulti- mately enslaved by their heathen neighbours through feeblene1111 and destitution which had boon occ11eloned by the fal'Iiine. (i) The plea euggeeted by the prophet ro the people le twofold, 11nd forms the groond ot each petition. It is" tNy pe,:,p7-e, O Lord; thy heritage." They were still God'II' people, punished, severely punished, and, it must be added, severely punished for their sine, but now penitent and petitioning for pardon. They were still more; they were God'11 heritage, hie peculiar treasure, segregated from the surrounding natione and set apart far the cotnmunieation of hia rev'elation!J, and to be the conservators of his oracles. Nor wae the're any presumption in reminding God of this; thi,r were only acting a., God's ?'emembrancers in relation to both hie purpoll8 and his promise. The glory of God as well as the good of his people was imperilled. "Wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?•• Jn this way the heathen UBcd to boast, aH we learn from the boastful words of Sennacherib when he asks, "Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad?" Even e11ch are the words of Jehovah himself when he asks, in relation to the vanities of the heathen, "Where a.re now their gods, their rock in whom they trusted? " . Vere. 18--20.-These verses prove the efficacy of prayllT'. No one who believes in a personal God, no one who believes in a God who rules and governs all, and no one especially who believes in the Bible as the Word of God, can doubt or deny the efficacy of prayer. HEBE FOLLOWS IN A BEBIEB Gon's BEGABD TO ms PEOPLE AND BEBl'ONSE TO THEm PBAYEBB. He regards their impoverished condition, he ·repairs their losses, be removes their reproach, and he repels thii immediate cause of tneir desolation. I. The reatora- tion of amico/ble:;Jelations is prdmised. The first promise here is of a general nature, and includes God's'acceptance of and affection for penitents. He graciously acknow- ledges bis covenant relation to them and special interest in them. Both their persons and their properly a.re ;owned by him. 'l.'he people are his t,eople; their land is hi.s land. The land of promise was bis in a. pecllliar sense ; but God has respect to the possessions of hie people, '\vherever situated; their concerns and enjoyme'llts are precious in his esteem. The- consequence is, the implied avowal of a twofold relationship, marital and paoorila.I. "Thoµ shalt_ be called Hephzi-ba.b, and thy land Beulah : for the Lord <leli~btetb iri •thee, and thy land shall be married; " these words of the Prophet IRaiah distinctly express the former of the two relations referred to, while the feeling <•f jealousy ·springs therefrom. Thus, as a husband is jealous of the honour of his wife and af himself, an'd ready to resent any insttlt or injury offered to bis partner, so the Lord promises to oe jealous for bis land-that land to which he admits by implication such an endearing and delicate relation. And "as a father pitieth bis children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." Like a tender, compassionate parent, he pities bis people in any season or circumstances of distress, and pledges his love and power for their relief. 2. A rich svpp'ly of temporal blessings is guaranteed. This would naturally suggest itself as a practical and particular result of the general statement of the dual relationship already avouched. (1) This supply is very com- prehensive; it includes at once all that is requisite for nourishment, for refreshment, and for ornament-corn, wine, and oil. (2) It is very satisfactory; for the supply, either from its abundance or the accompanying blessing, is fully adequate to the requirements of the case-they shall be satisfied therewith. Plenty oC itself does not always produce satisfaction: the blessing of God is needed to make men conteut; hence "godliness with contentment is great gain." (3) It is very comfortable; for it comes in answer to prayer, and thus brings with it a token of God's good plea.sure. 'l'bo promise is not introduced by" The Lord will say," but by" The Lord will answer and say," clearly connecting it with the prayers of his people, and evidencing at the same time bis love to and interest in them. (4) It is very observable; attention is drawn to it by a. "Behold." God will have his people to take notice of his band in the mercies he hestows, and to mark the contrast in their condition which his merciful interposition brings nbout. The band that smote them now salves their wounds ; they had suffered from distress and want, now they are blessed with plenty. 3. The rolling away oj their reproach is nn additional blessing. 'l.'he heathen had exulted over them in the dnv of their calamity; their reputation bad suffered by the visible marks of the Di vino 32 THE BOOK OF JOEL. [ OR, Ir, 1-32,