On Monday in class we were able to discuss reading Scripture as literature. I really enjoyed this discussion and learning what can come out of reading Scripture as literature. I also enjoyed reading the book of Joel in a circle. In doing this I was able to better visualize what the author was saying. The author of this book uses a lot of imagery and descriptions that make it easy to picture what is being described.
An example of such imagery and description is where it says “So rejoice, O sons of Zion, and be glad in the Lord your God; for He has given you the early rain for your vindication and He has poured down for you the rain, the early and latter rain as before. The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil.” When I read this I could picture the rain falling down on the ground bringing life and color to it. And the land growing and producing an abundance of grain with grain growing all around and a new sense of life and renewal all around.
I also really enjoyed the part that said “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord with be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” The author of Joel not only describes the physical beauty and restoration the Lord brings but he also describes the spiritual beauty the Lord brings. The joy and redemption He gives to His people and their reward for being faithful.
All in all, I really found the descriptive words in this book most interesting. How the author painted such a vivid picture of the destruction and ruin of this land and then goes into its restoration and the beauty it brings forth.
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I really enjoyed reading the book of Joel because the writer vividly described the scenes of destruction, healing, and deliverance.
ReplyDeleteI definately thought reading it outloud made such a huge difference. It really is amazing how almost an entire book can be pure vivid images that are different from normal images created by a book.
ReplyDeleteReading out loud allowed you to better visualize these things you didn’t have to worry about the next word or turning the page, compete concentration was on the story.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely interesting hearing Joel read out loud in class this week! As students expressively read through the chapters, it was so much easier to visualize what was being described.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about all of the visual elements to this book. So often we overlook scripture as being only for church and personal study and not as legitimate literature. There are so many beautiful stories in the Bible. Even if they don't have a happy ending, the imagery is something to note about it. It was because of this that I found it particularly appropriate that we did a painting to interpret it.
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