Joel of Jerusalem Jun/Sep 1970
“AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH”
I praise the Lord for every day that I am permitted to remain at home. At the moment things are almost quiet in Israel. But we are pretty sure that big trouble and fighting are ahead.
In the meantime people have become so used to excitement that if one week passes without some major event, they almost feel unhappy. We live as in the days of Noah. Nobody seems to give any thought to the flood that may come soon. We are a sinful people without a thought for God or His coming judgment.
A short time ago a fellow worker of mine was promoted at his job and received a raise in his pay. So he decided to make a reception for his friends and invited me also. He asked me what I suggested that he ought to prepare for the reception, to please his friends. I told him to ask his wife to bake a cake and serve tea—and no more. However, my friend wanted to show off, as is customary among oriental Jews and Arabs, so he scorned my advice.
I told him that with the money he would save, he should buy some clothing for his wife and children, instead of wasting it on food and drink. Your friends, I said, will be more pleased to see your family dressed decently than to gorge themselves on your food. But he would have none of my advice.
So he went to his labor union and made a loan of 1500 Israeli pounds (about $450.00). For this he bought two sheep and a lot of alcoholic beverages. Then he invited his fellow-workers and some rough friends of his and they feasted all night long. By early morning his home was a shambles. All he had left was a huge debt, and a vandalized house.
A few days later he returned to his job shamefacedly and greeted me with these words: “I wish to God I had listened to you. I am sure the devil made me do this. He added, the devil is still after me. How can I get him off my back?”
“There is only one way to do this, I said to him. You must accept the Messiah Jesus into your heart. Otherwise you will never get rid of Satan. He will always be after you. Only the Lord Jesus can set you free.” I know you speak the truth,” he said. “Please pray for me—I feel so helpless.”
Please remember this poor man in your prayers, also his long suffering family. Pray also for me as I witness to such as these.
