Old Testament Survey: The Book of Joel God’s Great Army

Background Joel was the son of Pethuel. The name Joel means “Jehovah is God.” No mention of Northern Kingdom of Assyria. No kings are mentioned. Best date—830 B.C. Second in list of the writing prophets. Key phrase — ”day of the Lord” occurs five times. The book begins in gloom; ends in brightness.

The Occasion Joel’s prophecy grew out of a terrible calamity that befell the land and the people. Great swarms of locusts invaded the land, bringing destruction with them. The locust invasion was followed by a drought, and then fires. God used these difficulties to call His people to repentance! Refusal to obey Him would lead to worse judgment—armies of other nations against them! The people repented; God removed the locusts and sent great blessings upon them.

The Locusts The book of Joel has sometimes been referred to as “the locust plague and what it teaches.” Joel gives the grandest description of locust devastation in all of literature. (2:4-9) The food was cut off before their eyes. (1:16) 12 examples of Biblical Hebrew use; four are in Joel. The fields were wasted, and the wine failed. (1:10) Emblematic of the land’s invasion by enemy hordes. “Destruction from the Almighty.” (1:15)

Keys to the Book of Joel Key words – “desolate” – “desolation” Key verse – 2:13 “So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.” (2:13)

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” (2:28,29) Keys to the Book of Joel Key words – “desolate” – “desolation” Key verses – 2:28, 29

“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.” (2:32) Keys to the Book of Joel Key words – “desolate” – “desolation” Key verse – 2:32

The Book‘s Message T HE TERRIBLE “ ARMY ” OF LOCUSTS (1:1—2:14) “A nation, strong and without number; his teeth and fangs are as those of a lion.” (1:6) Destroyed the vines and stripped bare the fig trees. (1:7) Pomegranate, palm, and apple trees withered. (1:12) There was nothing, in the way of drink and meal offerings, to offer to the Lord. The priests called upon the people to fast. (1:13-15)

T HE TERRIBLE “ ARMY ” OF LOCUSTS (1:1—2:14) A drought followed; then fires in the land. Grain rotted under the dry clods of dirt. Barns and grain cribs were broken down. Cattle, sheep, and wild beasts groaned for food and water. (1:17-20) The terrible consequences of sin! The Book‘s Message

T HE TERRIBLE “ ARMY ” OF LOCUSTS (1:1—2:14) Described as an army that nothing can stop, going straight ahead without breaking rank, darkening the sun by its number, and making the earth quake. (2:4-11) God called them “ my great army. ” (2:25) Followed by more urgent appeal to repent and turn back to God. Warning to rend HEARTS, not garments. (1:12-14) The Book‘s Message

THE “ARMY” DRAWN OUT (2:15—3:21) The people—young and old—were to assemble, repent, and pray unto God to spare them. (2:15-17) The people showed humility—God sent the locusts into the Mediterranean Sea. The Lord restored the rains and fruitful seasons. (2:23-26) The Book‘s Message

THE GREAT PROMISES (2:28-32) At a later time, he would send the Holy Spirit and provide them with full and complete salvation. Whoever called upon the Lord would be saved! This prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Peter quoted this prophecy in his sermon. (Acts 2:16-21) The Book‘s Message

G OD ’ S J UDGMENTS AGAINST THE NATIONS (3:10-21) Beat plowshares into swords, pruning hooks into spears. (3:10) Judgment of nations—put grapes into a wine vat and tread on them. (3:13) A dark and terrible day. (3:14,15) Nations that rejected God and mistreated His people would be judged and destroyed. (3:16,17) The Book‘s Message

GOD PROVIDES REFUGE AND SAFETY FOR HIS PEOPLE (3:17-21) Provides a means of escape for them. He would be a refuge for His people. A stronghold that could not be moved. He would take revenge on those who had shed innocent blood. The Book‘s Message

Lessons for Us Today When God’s people sin—He will first send warning. If they repent, He will again bless them. Failure to repent will bring greater, more severe judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

There’s great power in prayer and repentance. God’s wrath can be turned aside by willing and contrite hearts! “Then Simon answered and said, Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” (Acts 8:24) Lessons for Us Today

In the book of Joel, we see God using creatures and natural forces to accomplish His purposes. His will directs it all! “Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys..., till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.” (Daniel 5:21) Lessons for Us Today

From ancient times, God was working toward providing salvation for all of mankind through Christ and the gospel! “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Ephesians 1:4,5) Lessons for Us Today

The Lord will judge wicked nations, using one or more to destroy another. “And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down..” (Daniel 5:19) Lessons for Us Today