August 20, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to My inheritance, My people Israel.” (Joel 3.1-2a)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

The theme of testing [judgment or discernment] continues in chapter 3. The scope of this word to Joel by God concerning the world in which Israel is called to be a part is clear. The whole world will be under God’s judgment. It is metaphorical in the sense that the whole world will not be gathered at the foot of Mount Zion there in the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It is representative in that all the world is present at the time of God’s judgment. We have the counterpart of this “vision” in Acts on the day of Pentecost. Following the anointing and empowerment of Peter and the remaining disciples by the promised Holy Spirit, they were able to speak in the languages of God and man. The gathering of those for the Pentecost blessing were representatives of “the whole world.” What we know from the list of peoples who were there and heard the gospel in their own language is that they were representative of the Diaspora. Jews from all the lands where they had been taken in the days of exile returned to Jerusalem to worship, make sacrifice and receive the blessing of First Fruits. The “miracle” of Pentecost was described as “Galileans speaking in languages of the nations wherein all those gathered were born.” [Note: These “Galileans” represented the remaining disciples. Only Judas of Kerioth, now dead, would have been the lone “Judean.”] There on the Temple Mount in the courtyard between the East Gate, which would have been the entrance from the Kidron Valley (The Valley of Judgment/Jehoshaphat) and the Temple itself where the sacrifices were offered, stood the “opportunity for judgment/discernment.” It would be up to those gathered to decide for themselves the truth of the words declared that day. On the one hand was the High Priest performing the Pentecost ritual of First Fruit. On the other hand was Peter and the disciples declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ as “the first fruits” of the Age of the Church.

There were indeed two judgments that day. The Temple leadership was set on edge because the teaching of Jesus as the Christ continued. They had been warned themselves by their own that killing Jesus would not silence the movement. Though it was their decision to do so and perhaps cast fear into His followers to scatter in silence, here was the evidence of failure. They would take further action by arresting Peter and John and warning them. We would soon find the story of the stoning of Stephen and in that story we are introduced to Saul of Tarsus who would become Paul the Apostle. The far more important judgment that day came from those who were gathered in that courtyard. They were listening to the virtual “argument” between the two entities. Many were struck to the heart by the spirited preaching of Peter accompanied by the words of the disciples who were speaking in the languages of the world so that all could hear. We know that at least 3000 “souls” were saved and committed themselves to be followers of Christ. Herein I find that hint of reconciliation of God bringing the whole world together to speak one language. That language would be of the true love of God and for God.

Just as we can see a comparison between the prophecy of Joel concerning the “next generation” who would speak of dreams and visions under the influence of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, there is another comparison/association. That other of which I speak is the story of the Tower of Babel. In that story, the peoples came together to built a “tower” and approach the very throne of God. What the story leads us to believe is that humanity believed that they could create a “work” and get to God in His Heaven. This tower was brought down by God seeing the falsehood of their endeavor. The did not come to praise God but to “raze” God. In their decision to lift themselves up they would, in fact, bring God down. God’s judgment came down on them and the people were scattered and no longer spoke a common language of humanity. Reflecting back on that courtyard experience of Pentecost, we see how “all” men were being united with one voice. That voice was nothing less than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who had been scattered by the sins of the world were now being united by the Savior of the world. The line of demarcation was drawn in the sand of the Temple courtyard: believe in self or believe in God. The judgment of God was clear and there would be no inbetweens.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.