In the midst of Houston's humidity, it is tough not to run by a mesquito. I feel like it is an art to get them to stay away. Summertime picnics and fireworks shows seem incomplete without repellent.
In the book of Joel, he speaks of pests of a different kind: locusts. Locusts behave in different ways than mesquitos, it seems: they tend to eat crops and other vegetation across their path (see book feature on Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/16578226/Locusts). I bet the farmers were horrified, and as I read more I wanted to pass them a mesquito net!
Joel predicts that Judah, God's people, will be attacked by locusts. While reading, I thought it seemed this to be similar to a natural disaster, like a flood. I think he is talking about judgement of the people. The Lord is fair and just, and all of those who have turned away from Him should be punished.
Joel speaks of this news to God's chosen, since none of us are worthy of forgiveness and mercy. He calls the people to turn to the Lord and away from sin. "Even now - (this is) the Lord's declaration - turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster" (Joel 2:12-13).
Later in Joel, God promises the coming of the Holy Spirit that is noted so much in the New Testament. In response to the peoples' repentance, Joel reads in 2:18, "Then the Lord became jealous for His land and spared His people."
For the rest of Joel 2, he predicts how God will restore those who call on Him and will send His Holy Spirit. Peter explains this in Acts 2. God has sent His Son, Jesus, to die to pay for our sins and then rise from the dead to sit at the right hand of God. Then, God sent the Holy Spirit for His people.
What must we do, as impecfect people? Peter explains, "Repent...and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:2). God does much more than any mesquito net! By His grace, we are able to humbly come before Him and have a relationship with this God of both judgement and love.
