Chapter 1:
Locust plague
Act of God
God calls people to lament

This army is:
Associated with fire
A picture of power
Imagery of fear and dread
Unstoppable

In Eden, God brought forth a flourishing and vibrant paradise. God dwelt in perfect fellowship with His people. After the fall, this flourishing shalom was broken on every level. God began the work of restoring a people to Himself.

God pursues with providence

Could it be that all the life-events that you thought were random, in reality, were not?

"Hard providences"

Two Aspects to the Day of the Lord:
Historical
Eschatological

Three Phases of Judgment:
Immediate judgment: locust plague (Ch 1)
Imminent judgment: army invasion (Ch 2)
Ultimate judgment: on God’s enemies and salvation of His people (Ch 3)

The Day of the Lord reminds us that God cares enough to judge sin.

You must see your sinfulness to pursue a remedy.

God’s judgment is beneath His love.