Old Dog III
Back to: Barren Land, Barren People
Memorial Day and Joel’s Armies
Bob Neumann
It is said that all things occur for a reason. Add to that the concept of Divine Timing and we have Two pillars on which the Kingdom is built. We call them Purpose and Season. Usually we hear Time and Season preached and taught because the direct image of ”Immediacy” is placed upon us. We in our finite reality when touched by Eternity can only respond in the form of immediacy. That is why all prophetic scripture had the sense of ”now”. Jeremiah breathed it, Isaiah walked in it and named his children according to it. So when looking at that which God now speaks the sense of ”immediacy” is not hard to see. Nor should it be hard to accept or comprehend. What sometimes is not forthcoming is an awareness of Purpose.
Ecclesiastes was written by a self-proclaimed ”madman”.
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (KJV)
Solomon declared he gave his heart to know wisdom. Yet we know that GOD gave him the wisdom to rule in righteousness. That he had but also did he seek out madness and folly. We need to assume that was Solomon’s idea and not GOD. Interestingly verse 18 tells us that wisdom brings grief and knowledge is aligned with sorrow. Seeing that wisdom and knowledge come through THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT, and that our first contact with GOD is to bring us to conviction which leads to repentance, grief and sorrow are required. For without true grief and sorrow we are never repentant and forgiveness and salvation can not be given. Grace and Mercy are free, but the price is exacted.
Recently I have witnessed a discussion of those who have heard ”Trumpets” being blown. Sometimes only in the Spirit, but sometimes it was discernable to the ear. Of course it lead to ”lively” discussion and ”intense” fellowship. Of course scriptures flew back and forth and I was reminded of a ”walk” I had taken a few years ago. So I asked the question of the Group, “What is the purpose of GOD in all these manifestations?” The replies did not answer the question. And I grieved and sought the LORD. HIS ANSWER was a classic one liner….”WHICH ARMY IN JOEL 2 ARE YOU IN?”.
Interesting question that still has no answer from among the people it was asked. This morning I was awakened with the same question in my heart. As I pondered it I had a ”grocery list” for our Memorial Day BBQ. And I wept. We forgot, I forgot that the time and season has no meaning without the purpose. Memorials are established so we would not forget. Scripturally GOD placed ”Memorials” into the lives of HIS PEOPLE in order to confront them with HIM, ”lest we forget”.
In my home town in rural Illinois we have a memorial to our ”HONORED DEAD”. All it is a concrete wall with a series of plaques. My grandfather and dad were part of the American Legion color guard every Memorial/ Armistice Day and Veteran’s Day when they fired their rifles and blew Taps. As a child I knew it was solemn and not ”fun” like Fourth of July. I do not remember how old I was when my Grandpa showed me the names of men he knew and the ”uncle” I would never meet. I do not remember if it was the year before or after my dad did the same. They never had a name for what they were trying to do. They did not have fancy words or explanations. Nor did they tell any ”war” stories. What they imparted was an awareness of something it has taken most of my life to define and comprehend. The concepts of Honor and Duty that they accepted and lived with for a few years early in their lives stayed with them and they felt necessary to pass on. Concepts that were valid then, and now.
In the late 1980’s a plaque was placed that has an additional seven names. Three I knew. One sat in my high school home room for 2 years. And all I remember was a voice that said he was going to be a Marine, ”just like my dad.” He was.
In all our lives we need memorials or we will forget. I know both my Grandfather’s never forgot. While both were Legion members, only one was active. Seldom did the two ever meet to my memory. I was 13 when my Mom’s Dad ”passed” as they say. I never knew that the two had known each other long before my parents were married. It was Grandpa Neumann that told me more about Grandpa Carroll that day then I ever heard from my parents. On the coffin where the decorations won so long ago, and never spoken of. Bits of metal and cloth that meant nothing to a child, but a great deal to those who had walked a similar road. Only when I asked him right then and there did I learn he too would have decorations on his casket. And he did.
When I was lead to share this I did not expect ABBA to make me look back into my own life before I can look ahead. But that is the whole purpose of REMEMBRANCE. To look back so we may understand what is to come. In Ecclesiastes 3 Solomon tells us something about how our ABBA does things. HE declares times and seasons and purposes under heaven for HIS GLORY….and then declares….
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
So to look at Joel we must see that it has happened and will happen again. By knowing what actually happened we can see what will ”shortly” take place. If Joel was written like a modern novel, it would barely take ten pages and ten minutes to read. Only Joel is not a modern novel, but an ancient prophecy. It is written in layers with much that is missed today. We find it divided into 3 chapters, but it itself is divided into stages according to the images and purposes that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT is using to instruct us.
The First chapter begins with GOD declaring to HIS PEOPLE to take notice and remember. It speaks to the people of GOD to make a MEMORIAL of what is happening. GOD explains that the curses the land is under is due because of the ”servants” in the land. Verse 14 brings the first call to the people to repent.
Chapter 2 begins with the ”blowing of the trumpet” as the Great and Terrible DAY OF THE LORD is at hand. Obviously the call to repent was not heeded, so we have a predicament. In the next 11 verses we have a confrontation. In it we have groups in adversarial positions. The question GOD asked was ”Which army are you in?” must be addressed. So we need to see which armies are involved.
Because we are sounding the SHOFAR in ZION, we know we are in Jerusalem. We man the walls. We are the covenant people who built the TEMPLE and are called by HIS NAME. We are the chosen. Our heritage is of Hezekiah, Joash, Solomon, and David. Of Joshua, Gideon, Samuel and the mighty men of valor.
We are the army of GOD, worshipping on ZION, the anointed and the chosen of GOD.
This is the first army.
Only Joel 1 says :
5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
Drunkard is a term synonymous with idolatry. THE LORD says the ”new wine” is cut off. That a nation will be raised up to lay waiste to the land. Joel 2 carries out this image.
The Second Army has come forth to bring down unrepentant Zion. Many today see the hypocrisy and hidden sin within the first army. They know judgement has been proclaimed. Eagerly many join ranks to assault “Babylon” because of the arrogance and unrepentance they perceive. They see GOD raise up an army to bring judgement upon ZION and quickly stand in their numbers. For this is GOD’S ARMY….
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
The key here is appearance. The First Army is of GOD. Now a second army is of GOD. BOTH ARE RIGHT. But both are only to a degree. The first still caries HIS NAME, but do not serve HIM or Fear HIS NAME. In spite of the warnings, they would not repent. The Second Army is of GOD. GOD SPECIFICALLY is calling it to make war with the unrepentant. They are HIS TOOL of judgement upon the land. But is that the army to join? It appears to be timely….and unstoppable. Isn’t that how we want GOD’S ARMY TO BE?
But are we discerning HIS SPIRIT today? Two armies appear to be of GOD. Both claim HIM, and are warring with each other today.
The problems with the first are openly stated by ABBA in the entire Old Testament. The problem with the second is it’s ”appearance”. It is described ”like a…” at every simile. Scripture has two other similes that parallel it. First is ”like a flood….”.
Isaiah 59:19
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. (KJV)
Jeremiah 46:8
8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. (KJV)
Amos 9:5
5 And the Lord God of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. (KJV)
Behold 3 witnesses, GOD will destroy….using ”Egypt”. Makes even more sense when you understand how GOD works….
Jeremiah 27:6
6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
So we have a second Army sent by GOD. The question is do you want to be in that army? The second simile may help….1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)
So this is a time to be sober and discerning. It is also a time to remember….what is yet to come…..maybe a third army, yet unseen…
11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Now if it happened before, and GOD says it will happen again…..the third army also appeared. That is if you are looking for it. Joel 2:11 says nothing about the ARMY….but one heck of a lot about who commands it. So we look to how Babylon fell and the PROPHETIC IMAGE laid out before us and see it as what is yet to come.
So if you want to see THE ARMY COMMANDER YET TO COME…read Isaiah….
[Isaiah 44:28]
28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
[Isaiah 45:1-9]
1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.
9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth.
Historically we know Cyrus defeated Babylon and ended the “captivity”. In Chaldean “CYRUS” means “KING”…..Isaiah 44:18 is of a KING YET TO COME…..it is nice to know who that KING IS….Revelation 17:14
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (KJV)
THE KING OF KINGS IS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO OVERCOMES…..
And we overcome by….THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB…….which gives us the strength to STAND against the enemy and speak…..THE WORDS OF OUR TESTIMONY….. and this removes our fear and allows us to LOVE NOT OUR LIFE….even unto death. we are the ”called”, the ”chosen”, the ”faithful” who serve the LAMB our KING.
So the third army in Joel is…. Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. (KJV)
Just one of many who will follow HIM that day.
So we have three armies. All can claim that they are ”of GOD”. Yet GOD seems not as happy about how we are doing today than many say that HE IS. In Matthew 24 JESUS the LAMB says we should not be deceived, over and over. Today many are deceived and battle constantly among the brethren over doctrines, interpretations, and priorities. They believe they are right and battle accordingly to defend their ”city”. Likewise there are many who got mauled in the skirmishes and now oppose the ”city”. So sides were picked and the ”war” began. It started long ago and still is there today.
Us and them with both claiming “”GOD IS ON MY SIDE””.
No one wants to ask who is on GOD’S SIDE. Seems sort of trite today, don’t it…..
NATO bombing in the Balkans…..Israel has a new government and ISLAM still wants Israel destroyed….the election changed that in no way……India and Pakistan getting ready to throw nukes around…..the Chinese building nukes and neutron bombs and loading them on delivery systems ”given” to them…..actually it seems a fair and even playground…..everyone hates everyone else and is preparing for the finale.
SO this weekend we are to remember….but what is worth remembering? If I look back to what was and see what now is in my own homeland I get sick. “I REMEMBER…” is a painful experience when you look back at what was…..
We sent our young men to foreign lands to stop an aggressor. Both my Grandpa’s said it was ”THE WAR TO END ALL WARS”. They tried. They came back with family and friends to rebuild and go on. Only they failed. Once again did we send our young men and some young women to meet an attack upon our nation. They called it ”THE BIG ONE”….and hoped it would be the last. But they too, failed. No matter how many lives are lost, battles fought….PEACE only comes when THE LAMB takes HIS THRONE.
As a nation we were once a people that feared GOD and chose to do right. But that seems long ago. Like Israel we were blessed and protected by our GOD. And like Israel we forgot our GOD and HIS WAYS. HE calls out and few listen. HE has sent trouble to our land, but we have not turned as a nation or a people from our ways. We chose plenty and abundance rather than faith and provision. So we forgot GOD…..and learned to enjoy sin. Now we pursue sin and not righteousness.
Once someone said of AMERICA that AMERICA was strong because it is GOOD. Our strength was not economic or military. It was in our GOD, and HIS MIGHT.
So today I cry for what was lost….I pray for mercy for a people who see not the danger approach. but most of all I remember the old paths I now walk with my ABBA…..the path my Dad and my Grandpa’s pointed me to and walked with me on those first steps. for ABBA to show me a heritage I never appreciated yet in HIS WAYS explains to me HIS INHERITANCE in ‘my’ generations….is humbling. it is nice to be ”called”….better to be ”chosen”…..but unless HE calls me ”faithful” nothing mattered…
HE IS FAITHFUL….THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS….IN ALL SITUATIONS.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF OUR LORD.
bob…son of Robert…. son of Joseph…. son of Leo….