DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Joel 4:12-21 (2/12-2/25) Vesperal Reading on Wednesday of
the Week Forgiveness: of Cheesefare
Fasting and
Judgment: Joel 4:12-21 SAAS , especially
vs. 12: “Let all the nations rouse themselves and come up to
the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I shall sit to judge all the nations round
about.” As the Great Lenten Fast approaches, we conclude the series
of readings from Saint Luke’s historical record of the Lord Jesus’
Passion. Simultaneously, this Vesperal reading from Prophet Joel directs attention to a
Day yet-to-come, the Day of Judgment.
On this day all men will stand before the One Who was arrested, tried,
and condemned - earlier events we have been considering from Saint Luke. To be precise: the very Crucified One,
Christ our God Himself, will, at the last Day, give the command to every man
who has ever lived in all history to come before Him in the Valley of the Lord’s
Judgment - in Hebrew, Jehoshaphat
(Joel 4:12).
Thus, at the threshold of this Great Fast, Joel is warning
us - pleading with us - to prepare for that coming, dread Day of the Lord. We choose either to employ Lent to go on
mindlessly toward eternal darkness and separation, or to prepare for eternal
Life and salvation. Heed the
Prophet: choose to struggle within yourself for purity. Do not ignore Joel’s plea and pay
no attention to your Savior, for all who do shall surely face only desolation
and violence.
In the coming Fast we have the opportunity to awaken our
hearts and minds to the Holy One Who calls us to the simple regimen of
fasting. He would not have us
abstain in a narrow, craven, slavish obedience to rules concerning the intake
of food. The Lord Jesus asks us to
shape our Lenten efforts to Him personally: “Turn to Me
with all your heart, with fasting, wailing, and with mourning; rend your
heart...” (Joel 2:12,13). Saint Athanasios
particularly directs us to the Lord’s command to “...sanctify a
fast...” (Joel 2:15), warning that, “...the boast of fasting did no
good to the Pharisee, although he fasted twice in the week, only because he
exalted himself.”
Rather, Beloved, let us note the dread day
of Judgment and allow the Prophet’s call to rouse us for the coming
Lenten effort. Joel’s imagery
is terrifying as He describes the Day of Divine Judgment (Joel 4:15-16). But note that he also explicitly speaks
of the Lord securing and blessing His People (vss. 16-17). He makes no doubt that He will make an
inquisition for the righteous blood of His people that has been shed. And finally, the Prophet reveals that
when God judges there will be separation: “...sheep from goats, left from
right, the guilty and the children of the Kingdom” (Mt. 25:32,33; Joel 4:19-21).
We choose for ourselves.
The description of judgment is severe: God will cut down,
tread upon, press all evil-doers “...for their wickedness is
multiplied” (vs. 3:13).
God’s judgment will include repayment for crimes and wrongs. There will be a resounding noise from
the multitudes of wicked who will face their cruel and
wicked actions (vs. 14). Many will
be thrust into eternal darkness with no consoling and no created light
available (vs. 15). But it need
not be so! Read on!
We repeat: when the Lord shakes the heaven and earth, on Judgment
day, He also will “...keep His people safe and
shall strengthen the sons of
The Prophet concludes with contrasting images: for the
Children of God there will be sweet wine, flowing milk, springs of water, and
an eternal habitation with the Lord (Joel 4:18), but God says to all who
persecute, attack, and wreak havoc on His own, “...I shall avenge their
blood and shall not let it go unpunished” (vs. 21). Lent is a gift to us. Let us use it well!
O soul, beware, before the end, and cry out, God, save me,
for Thou alone art compassionate.
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