Today I was reading through Joel a few more times. And we can always see God’s good hand throughout the history of Israel, and our lives.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Joel 2:25, KJV

The book of Joel was written possibly after the Babylonian exile of the Judah. Please refer to Dan 1 article, for a time period during the Judah’s exile.

Prophet Joel narrates Israel’s desolation, because of their covenantal disobedience to Yahweh.

But he also calls for national repentance, that Israel may be spared from punishment of their sins.

Israel’s sins were not clearly spelled out in this book, although Hosea does specify their actual sins. However, we get some clues from the “drunkards” in Joel 1:5, that they had a spirit of complacency.

Now in Joel 1:2-12, a severe locust was described. But here in Joel 2:18-27, we see Yahweh would restore all that was lost: and eaten by the locusts. This however, is predicated if Israel repents.

Israel is urged to repent as Yahweh is gracious, merciful, and compassionate (Joel 2:13). He is willing to forgive, even though Israel had been covenantally unfaithful despite His faithfulness to them.

We see a similar situation in Exo 34:10-35, where Yahweh actually renews His covenant with Israel. This happened, after they repented from breaking the covenant by worshipping the golden calf Aaron made for them.

But despite their unfaithfulness to Him, God forgave them. This is due to His character, which He revealed more intimately to Moses in Exo 34:6-7, such as; His grace, mercy, and compassion.

Similarly in our lives, we may be working on something for several years, but in a turn of events this have all been wasted: eaten by the locusts.

This may in part be due to our disobedience, however it can also be due to God’s sovereign purposes.

Regardless, we can be assured of God’s character, and that He is good. If we repent of any misdoings, He is faithful and will restore even all those lost years: “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”.