Joel

     

Title and Holy Writer


This book was written by the prophet Joel, the son of Pethuel as we have it recorded for us in the first verse of the book, “The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.” There is no mention of the kingdom of Israel in these three chapters, but there are frequent references to Zion (2:1,15,23; 3:16,17) Mount Zion (2:32), Judah (3:1,6,8,18,20) and Jerusalem (2:32; 3:1,6; 3:16,17,20). From this we gather that Joel was sent to the kingdom of Judah to foretell of the coming judgment by God. Other than this, we know very little about the prophet Joel.


Date


Joel is a difficult book to date because it has no direct historical links. Yet there are some bits of information which can be helpful in dating Joel. Many prophets speak of the kings to which they were sent to prophesy, but the king who is in power at the time Joel prophesied is not mentioned. Joel speaks of priests (1:9,13) and elders (1:2,14) but says nothing of a king. Also, the enemies that Joel mentions are the Phoenicians, and the Philistines (3:4), and the Egyptians and the Edomites (3:19) who were frequent enemies during the 9th century B.C. There is no reference to the later powers of the Assyrians or the Babylonians. With this evidence it seems probable that Joel prophesied during the reign of Joash who became king at the age of seven, and was guided by the priest Jehoiadah (2 Kings 11:1-12:3). This would make Joel a contemporary of Elisha, and he would have closely followed the prophet Obadiah.


Regardless of when Joel prophesied these words, the message remains the same. The words which the LORD inspired this prophet to write have something to say to us as well as to the Jews to whom Joel spoke these words originally.


Overview


The theme of Joel is “The Day of the LORD.” This phrase is found five times in the three chapters of the book and points to Christ’s return on Judgment Day. The three brief chapters of this book are divided into two major sections of about equal length. In the first section the prophet introduces himself and speaks to his listner about the need for repentance over their sins. Joel calls attention to the devastating swarm of locusts that had recently swept through the land. The people were short of food because of the damage to the crops. Joel describes the devastation caused by the locust and then compares this to the coming day of the LORD, saying that what they are facing now will be nothing in comparison to that day. He then continues with the words of Jehovah, asking them to return to Him and repent of their sins. The LORD then promises deliverance from their current predicament, with full storehouses and food in plenty.


The second section begins with the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which the apostle Peter quotes in his Pentecost sermon saying, “For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:15-21).


Joel moves quickly from the promise of the Sprit on Pentecost to the promise of the Day of the LORD in verses 30 and following. The Day of the LORD would be a day of judgment and destruction for some, and yet the LORD promises that it would also be a day of deliverance, restoration and everlasting blessings for God’s people. The LORD promises, “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:32).


Outline


I. The Day of the LORD's judgment (1:1-2:17)

              A. The LORD sends His prophet (1:1)

            B. The LORD describes the devastation (1:2-2:11)

            C. The LORD calls for repentance (2:12-2:17)

     

II. The Day of the LORD's grace (2:18-3:21)

            A. The LORD restores His temporal blessings (2:18-27)

            B. The LORD promises His spiritual blessings (2:28-32)

            C. The LORD vindicates His people (3:1-8)

            D. The LORD vanquishes His enemies (3:9-21)


Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.