Joel

Background Joel – “Jehovah is God” or “the Lord is God” We are uncertain about the date of the prophecy Joel’s work naturally divides into 2 parts: –He tells of the locust invasion and calls for repentance demonstrated by rending the heart, otherwise the locust will only be a forerunner of worse punishment to follow – 1:1-2:17 –The Lord says material and spiritual blessings are to follow their repentance and foretells the judgment of the nations that have oppressed Israel – 2:18-3:21 It may have been delivered in or around Jerusalem and appears to be to Judah – 2:15-17

The Locust Plague Unlike any in memory or for years to come – 1:2; 2:2 –It should be passed as a lesson from generation to generation – 1:3 –Stages of the life of a locust – 1:4 –Cutting off all kinds of fruit leaving the nation without wine, olive oil or anything for a meat or drink offering – 1:5-12 Priests and elders are called upon to lead in repenting in sackcloth and fasting – 1:13-14

The Day of the Lord Describes a judgment the Lord is going to bring on the people Man and beast suffered and this should serve as an adequate warning against the “day of the Lord” – 1:15-20

A Call for Repentance Another description of the locust invasion ought to lead to trembling – 2:1-11 –Instead of tearing garments, God wants a torn heart (Psalm 51:17) A call for repentance to avoid God’s judgment – 2:12-17 –Apparently they would repent as God now destroys the locust and provides plenty of goods for the people – 2:18-27 –Note: the people were made ashamed when they turned from God and the shame was removed when they returned to God

Spiritual Blessings God will pour out spiritual blessings – 2:28-32 –Fulfilled on Pentecost – Acts 2:16-21 –These are the last days –Jesus is now reigning –Blessings not limited by age, sex or social class –The forerunner of judgment comes before God comes to do his accounting –God always provides a way of escape –Mt. Zion & Jerusalem stand for God’s spiritual dwelling place among his people Judgment on nations based on how they treated God’s people, while God blesses Israel – Joel 3