The Book of Joel is the second of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. Joel likely wrote it between 835 and 800 B.C. The book is comprised of three chapters and focuses primarily on two major events: a devastating locust plague that had recently occurred in Judah and a future judgment of all nations by God.
Chapter 1 describes the locust plague that had recently afflicted Judah. Joel urges the priests to weep and lament this terrible judgment from God. He calls on all inhabitants of Judah to repent in sackcloth and fasting. Joel also commands that a sacred fast be proclaimed as the land has been laid waste. He laments that food offerings and drink offerings to the Lord have been cut off. Chapter 1 concludes with Joel stating that the day of the Lord is near and coming as destruction from the Almighty.
In Chapter 2, Joel continues to describe the sweeping locust plague. He explains that it is unlike anything that has ever been seen before. Joel urges the people to return to the Lord with fasting, weeping, and mourning. He encourages them that the Lord is gracious and merciful and slow to anger. Joel proclaims that if the people of Judah rend their hearts and return to the Lord, He will remove this terrible plague from them. The Lord will restore the prosperity that the locusts had eaten. Joel also declares that the Lord will pour out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days. He states that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Chapter 3 focuses on the future judgment of all nations by the Lord. Joel proclaims that in those days the Lord will restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem. He states that the Lord will gather all the nations and enter into judgment with them for scattering the people of Judah. Joel declares that the nations will be judged for plundering Jerusalem and selling the people of Judah. He proclaims that the Lord will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Joel describes a scene in which the Lord gathers all nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment. The multitudes will be gathered there for the harvest of God’s wrath. The Lord will roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem. Heaven and earth will tremble, but the Lord will be a refuge for His people. Judah will abide forever under the protection of the Lord.
Some key themes emerge in the Book of Joel:
– God’s sovereignty over all nations and peoples is emphasized. He summons all inhabitants of the earth for judgment. The Lord sits as judge over all nations that rebel against Him and mistreat His people.
– God’s patience and abundant mercy are also underscored. Although He brings severe judgment, the Lord is compassionate and slow to anger. He urges His people to return to Him so that He may bless them again.
– Pentecost is foreshadowed. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all believers is promised for the last days. This ultimately points ahead to the birth of the Church.
– Repentance is a major motif. Joel repeatedly calls the people of Judah to repent in fasting and mourning. Genuine repentance brings God’s renewal and restoration.
– The Day of the Lord is a key theme. Both the locust plague and the future judgment of nations point ahead to God’s ultimate judgment on the earth.
– God’s protection and blessing for His chosen people are highlighted. Despite judgment on the surrounding nations, the Lord will spiritually and physically redeem His people.
Some key verses in Joel:
Joel 2:12-13 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”
Joel 2:28 “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, and your young men shall see visions.”
Joel 3:14 “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
In summary, the Book of Joel centers around two major events – a terrible locust plague sent by God as judgment and a future judgment of all nations by the Lord. Joel makes an impassioned call for the people to repent, while also promising future blessings for God’s people. The themes of God’s sovereignty, patience, Spirit outpouring, repentance, the Day of the Lord, and divine protection run throughout the book. Joel offers a stark reminder that while God judges, He also graciously redeems those who turn their hearts to Him.
Joel likely wrote this book as a warning and a call to repentance for the people of Judah. The precise timing is uncertain, but clues seem to indicate it was penned sometime between 835-800 BC. The locust plague described was probably literal, but also symbolized God’s judgment. Joel warned Judah that God would judge and discipline His people, but He is also merciful and compassionate to those who repent. While God would judge Judah’s enemies, He would ultimately bless and spiritually redeem His chosen people. Joel’s powerful imagery and themes resonate throughout the rest of the Bible.
The Book of Joel reminds believers that God is sovereign over the nations and will judge rebellion against Him. Yet He abundantly pardons those who turn to Him. Joel points to the importance of genuine repentance and heart-rending humility before God. He also promises that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, a prophecy ultimately fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2. For Christians today, Joel invites introspection and repentance whenever we drift from God. It calls everyone to wholeheartedly seek the Lord and trust in His redemption. Even in judgment, God remembers mercy.