Joel 2: Locusts Swarm and Devour the Land

 Greetings in the Lord~

Today's word comes from Joel 2, and is accompanied by a dream.  Let me first share about the passage from scripture.  In this passage, we read about the Lord directing an 'army' of locusts to come to devour and plunder the land as a form of judgment.  Interestingly, devouring locusts were one of the plagues that happened in Egypt long ago as a form of judgment to compel Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave their country--freeing them of their slavery.  Here, however, the plague of locusts come as a form of judgment upon His people for their persistent sin and stubborn rebellion against God.  

"Ahead of them (locusts) the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden.  Behind them is nothing but desolation, not one thing escapes....Look at them as they leap along the mountaintops.  Listen to the noise they make--like the rumbling of chariots, like the roar of fire sweeping across a field of stubble, or like an army moving into battle." 

"The attackers march like warriors and scale city walls like soldiers....They break through defenses without missing a step.  They swarm over the city and run along its walls.  They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows."

"The earth quakes as they advance, and the heavens tremble.  The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars no longer shine."

"The Lord is at the head of the column.  He leads them with a shout.  This is His mighty army, and they follow His orders.  The day of the Lord is an awesome terrible thing.  Who can possibly survive?"  Joel 2:3-11.

Back in February, I wrote about a final warning being blown to the land to prepare for some rather unpleasant events meant as judgments.  Here, we read about an invasion of an "army" that will strip the land like locusts, of earthquakes and of an eclipse happening.  Obviously, these things are happening now with the eclipse coming in just a couple of days.  It's interesting too, the vast amount of online chatter saying that this eclipse is a sign of bad things to come, of "judgment" and the like.  Yup, the Holy Spirit is stirring many hearts right now to understand the seriousness of the season we are in.  It is time to repent and draw near to God.  

Personally, I am feeling the need to fast and gather with other Christians for prayer for the rest of the month (to end of Passover).  However you want to say it, we are in the time of some major plagues/disasters/economic collapses/ security breaches happening and to happen more of until the land and its people are really suffering and this current evil leadership comes to its knees.  It is time for Pharaoh to give up God's people.  Now for the dream.

There were several parts to the dream and it lasted quite a while, so I will condense it for brevity.  Basically, it began with our leadership being quite happy with all of the foreigners (potential voters/supporters) they allowed/brought into the country to fill the place, and the illegals were in a honeymoon phase as well, thinking they'd be rich and have an easy life and not work hard anymore.  But soon reality set in.  The illegals quickly realized that it was a big delusion--no one wanted them here, their free money ran out, they had no jobs, no homes, no family, and this administration did not care about them in the least.  They felt like the song they all knew too well--"La Cucaracha"--they were indeed like cockroaches that were missing a leg, marching over hills -- i.e. they were frustrated and struggling beyond what they ever imagined when they dreamt of coming to America.  

The next part of the dream I saw illegals turning to violence and aggression, stealing and resorting to every kind of crime in anger, as they realized their hopes were based on nothing but lies and their own greedy delusions.  They wickedly rationalized, "They promised us money, homes and jobs, so we will take them by force."  

Some would go to educational institutions (called "Stubble" in my dream) to try and pursue their dreams of studies and sport and of lucrative careers, but they found locked doors.  So, they ambushed the old white men in charge that were holed up in towers, and took their positions and financial resources from the schools.  Thus, the illegals became "like a roar of fire sweeping across a field of stubble."  Well, it doesn't take a genius to see that many of these things from my dream are indeed happening, and probably will continue for quite some time.

In continuing with Joel 2, how we are supposed to react to this prophecy?  Repent!  "That is why the Lord says, "Turn to Me now, while there is time.  Give Me your hearts.  Come with fasting, weeping and mourning.  Don't tear your clothing in grief, but tear your hearts instead.  Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.  He is eager to relent and not punish.  Who knows?  Perhaps He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse.  Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before." Joel 2:12-14.

So, let us gather together in prayer and fasting and ask the Lord, "Will You spare us, O Lord?  Will You please not let Your special possession become an object of mockery?  Don't let us become a joke for unbelieving foreigners to say, 'Has God left them?'  Lord, we ask You to pity Your people and jealously guard the honor of Your land.  We humbly ask for Your protection during these difficult days while You lay the arrogant low, and we repent for our rebelliousness towards you.  May You give us a quick restoration when Your will is done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Amen

~Be blessed and be a blessing.