What in the world causes natural disasters? I remember back in the early 2000’s a bad hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico hit New Orleans and devastated the city. Rumors were spread that President George Bush deliberately aimed the hurricane into that area using a machine in the White House basement. That was such a ridiculous idea that probably not many people believed it, but it was broadcast on national news.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:12-23 that all suffering will end; it “will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.” (Verse 21). Yes, it is sin that has caused nature to go crazy. When God created the world, He made a perfect habitat for Adam and Eve to live in. But when Adam sinned, they were chased out of Eden and nature changed. Why? Because if sinful people lived in a perfect environment, they would never see their need of God. (Romans 5:12-19).
After a terrible infestation of locust, evidently this was almost as bad as what God brought on Egypt before the Exodus (Exodus 10), God gave a message to Joel to explain the reason for the recent disaster; it was because the people were ignoring God. “Wake up and weep, you drunkards, for all the grapes are ruined, and all your wine is gone!” (Verse 5).
Joel addressed the priests and the farmers to repent and with the “elders and all the people” to gather into the Temple to weep (repent) before Him there. It appears from verses 15 and 16 that this message may have been given at the very beginning of the destruction of the crops to prevent a total loss.
Finally, in verses 19-20, a prayer went up to God pleading for help. This prayer also indicates this happened during a very hot and dry season.