Daily Devotions

Joel

Joel 
Day 
Day 40

"Prepare for war"

Text: Joel 3:9

ANCIENT WARS

Wars were recorded in the Scriptures from the days of Abraham. Different types of wars may be noted:

1. Tribal wars

a) These were much smaller in terms of scale.
b) Stronger tribes chose the path of war for different reasons:
i) To gain wealth.
ii) To expand power.
iii) To extend the size of their kingdom.

2. Regional wars

a) These were large scale things.
b) Usually, there is a very strong king and he would gather forces and attack smaller nations.

PREPARE FOR WAR

The LORD gave a word to all concerned. There would be a Global War in the future.

“Proclaim this among the nations:
‘Prepare for war!
Wake up the mighty men;
Let all the men of war draw near,
Let them come up.'”
Joel 3:9

1. Global warfare

a) Many nations would be involved.
b) This would be a war where many lives would be lost.

2. “Prepare for war”

a) This was a call to arms.
b) “The mighty men”
i) These would be war-heroes.
ii) They would welcome the call for battles to be fought.
c) “The men of war”
i) There would, of course, be some who would rather not choose the path of war.
ii) But there were many “men of war” who would eagerly take up arms.
d) “Draw near… come up”
i) In war, everyone in the nation would be needed.
ii) This was one war that the powerful would need to fear.