Joel Looking to the Autumn Rains…

Outline I.Introduction II.Content III.Lessons Learned

I. Introduction A.Authorship. B.Background C.Canonical Placement. D.Date.

A. Authorship In Hebrew, the name Joel means Yahweh is Elohim. It is a combination of two names of God Yahweh and Elohim. (Elijah means Elohim is Yahweh). We know little about him other than he being the son of Pethuel who is also unknown. He was from the southern Kingdom of Judah, prophesied in Judah, and was probably well acquainted with the temple at Jerusalem.

B. Background Little is known about the antecedent events that led to the call of Joel. We are not giving any clues as to when he began to prophecy. We do not know exactly what sins the people needed to repent of. We do not know for certain if a literal locust devastation is being referred to in chapters 1&2.

C. Canonical Placement In the Hebrew canon, Joel is placed after Ezekiel, between Hosea and Amos in the Treisar(minor prophets). In the Septuagint (280 B.C-150 B.C), it is placed right after Daniel and Hosea and before Amos in the 17 books of prophecy. This was later adopted into English translations.

D. Date We are not certain of the time of the book of Joel since we are not giving clues in the book. Evidences seem to point to three possible time periods: 1. Early Preexilic(9 th century, 835B.C) 2. Late Preexilic( B.C) 3. Postexilic( B.C). Any of these periods are likely, but the literal historicity of the events described are not crucial to understanding the book’s message.

II. Content A.Likely Motivations for Authorship. B.Allusions and Representations used. C.Various Themes. D.Focus on the Latter Rain.

A. Likely Motivations for Authorship To warn audience of the coming of the day of the LORD on Judah. To offer a recent drought and locust invasion as a picture of God’s future judgment. To warn Judah to repent of their sins. To proclaim a coming day of the LORD on the nations of the world. To proclaim a future of complete restoration to Judah and Jerusalem. To deliver prophecy that also relates to events in the last days

B. Allusions and Representations Used The symbolisms used in Joel are found all over the bible. Locust- 1:4, 2:1-12; Ex 10:12-14, Deut 28:38,42; Rev 9:3,7. Fire and Flames- 1:19,20,2:3,5; 2Pet 3:7,12; Jude 1:7 Rev 20:15,21:8 Waste, Wasted, Dried Up-1:7,10-12; Ezek 5:14, 6:6; Am 7:9, 9:14; Zep 3:6, Grain Offering-grain and oil-1:9,10,16,17; Num 28:9,12 Drink Offering-new wine,vines- 1:5-7,9,10,13; 2:14, Lev 23:13; Num 28:14; John 15:1,5;Matt 26:27-29 Pasture-1:18-20, Ps 23:2, Ezek 34:14 Streams of water-1:20; Ps 23:2, Rev 22:1,17 The day of the LORD- 1:15, 2:1,2;3:14-16; Matt 24:29 Latter rain-2:22-27;Deut 11:14, Hos 6:3; Zech 10:1, Jas 5:7

C. Focus on the Latter Rain There were two periods of rain in Israel an early(spring) and a latter(autumn) rain-Deut 11:14 God reveals himself in both rains-Hos 6:3. The autumn rain was antecedent to the restoration of the people-2: But God was not only to send the autumn rain, but both the autumn and spring rains in the same month (v 23, KJV). The latter rain was to restore the pasture, the grain, the vine, and subsequently put food in the house of God etc. Today the latter rain is the evangelism of the true gospel in the midst of the spiritual desert wasteland of the last days.

Key Verse: Joel 2:23 “Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”

D. Various Themes A locust devastation(1:1-12; 2:1-11). An imminent day of Judgment (3:1-16). An exhortation of repentance (1:13-20; 2:12-17). A gracious, compassionate God (2:13,18- 21). An outpouring of the Holy Spirit(2:28,29). A latter rain (2:22-27). An eternal salvation(3:17-21).

III. Lessons Learned There is imminent punishment for sin. God is patient and would bring judgment in his time. God is gracious and forgiving. God requires internal heart felt repentance not just social reform. The necessity of bringing the latter rain (the gospel) to desert wasteland campuses everywhere. Joel gives an assurance that God has a future for us in completing our salvation and a day that he will judge unbelievers.