Introduction to Joel

Author: Joel
Date: Probably 835-805 BC
Theme: The judgment and grace of GOD
Key Words: The great and terrible Day of the LORD

Author: The name Joel literally means, "Jehovah is GOD". This is a very common name in Israel, and it says Joel the Prophet is the son of Pethuel. Nothing is known of him or of the circumstances that surrounded his life. It seems that he lived in Judah and prophesied in Jerusalem.

(The "Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds, "A citizen of Jerusalem, he spoke often of the priests and their duties [1:9,13-14,16]. For this reason, many scholars believe he may have been a temple prophet. He also had an ear for nature [1:4-7], and included imagery from agriculture and the natural world in his messages. From evidence in the book itself, we can assume that he knew a great deal about Jerusalem, Judah's capital city, and the rituals associated with Temple worship [2:15]. But he probably was not a priest, since he called upon the priests to go into mourning because of the sins of the nation [1:13]. Indeed, Joel's many references to agriculture [1:7,10-12] may indicate he was a farmer or a herdsman, although this is not certain." pps. 579,580)

Date: There is no way to date the book of Joel with complete exactitude and the experts vary in their opinions to that respect. Joel contains references that also appear in Isaiah and Amos (Compare Amos 1:2 with Joel 3:16 and Is. 13:6 with Joel 1:15). The predominant opinion in conservative circles is that Amos and Isaiah lean on Joel, which would make him one of the first minor prophets.

Even more, the worship of Jehovah, restored by the High Priest Jehoiada during the reign of Joash (II Kings 11; II Chron 23:16), is assumed by Joel. Thus, many hold that he prophesied during the first thirty years of Joash's reign (835-796 BC), when Jehoiada acted as counselor to the king. It would place his ministry between the years 835 and 805 BC.

Background: Joel prophesied in a time of great turmoil for all the land of Judah. An enormous plague of locusts had stripped the fields of vegetation, destroyed the sheep and cattle pastures, and even the foliage of the trees. In only a few hours, what was once a beautiful and green land became a place of desolation and destruction. Contemporary descriptions of the destructive power of swarms of locusts confirm the picture drawn by Joel.

The plague of locusts that Joel describes was the greatest that had been seen until then. All the harvests were lost, including the seeds for the next harvest. Famine and drought scourged the land. People and animals died. In Joel's eyes, such great devastation had only one explanation: it brought GOD's judgment.

Content: The Book of Joel is divided into two parts. The first (1:1-2:27), that brings GOD's judgment, contains a calling to repentance and a promise of restoration.

In his sermon to Israel, Moses (Deut. 28:38-46) warned that if the nation was disobedient, "all your trees and the fruit of your land will be consumed by locusts". The prophet believes this day has come, and graphically describes the horrible armies of insects in prophetic language charged with poetry. Four waves of these horrible creatures have consumed it all. Those who drink have no wine. The priests have nothing to offer in sacrifice to GOD. The countrymen and keepers of vineyards have nothing to care for. There is no aspect in the life of Judah that hasn't been dramatically and tragically affected.

The second section (2:28-3:21) explains that this plague, as horrible as it was, is nothing compared to the divine judgment that is approaching. This will be a time when not only Judah, but all the nations of the earth must appear before GOD. On that occasion, when the sound of the locusts will be silenced, "Jehovah will roar from Zion, and will utter his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth will shake..." (3:16).

Terrifying celestial omens will take place. "The sun will turn into darkness and the moon into blood" (2:31). This will be no less than "the great and terrible day of Jehovah" (2:31).

However, we mustn't overlook the most excellent lesson of the short prophecy. Thanks to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Joel extends his view hundreds of years further, to the day in which GOD will pour out his Spirit "upon all flesh" (2:28). It will be the prelude to the devastation and judgment of the Day of the LORD, a time when all believers will experience the presence of the Spirit of GOD and will make up a prophetic community over the Earth; when the young and old, men and women will prophecy equally. Salvation won't be the only blessing that Judah will receive. It will be a time when "everyone who invokes the name of Jehovah will be saved" (2:32).

Regarding locusts, the Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds, "The eighth plague that GOD sent upon the Egyptians was an invasion of locusts. Millions of these insects may be included in one of these swarms, which usually occur in the spring. Locusts in such numbers speedily eat every plant in sight, totally destroying the crops. A locust plague is practically unstoppable. Water does not work; for when enough locusts drown, the survivors use their bodies as a bridge. They have also been known to smother fires that had been set to destroy them. Even modern farmers wrestle with this problem, often resorting to poisoning the adults and harrowing fields in the fall to destroy the eggs before they can hatch in the spring."

"Locusts do not always appear in swarms. Hot weather normally brings a few solitary grasshoppers and locusts to the Holy Land. But scientists have learned that under certain conditions of climate and food scarcity, chemical changes take place in the female locust. These cause more eggs to hatch, sending millions of locusts into the air at the same time in search of food." (p. 56). For more information, see the article, "Animals of the Bible".

Theological Contribution: The Book of Joel is remarkable because it shows that a message from GOD can often come packaged in the form of a natural disaster. The truth of the book is rooted in the disastrous invasion of locusts, which Joel describes in such vivid language. This prophet teaches us that the LORD may use a natural disaster to stir in His people a renewed awareness of His will. Any traumatic event of nature - flood, fire, storm, or earthquake - should motivate the sensitive ear to listen again to the words of the LORD.

Special Considerations: Readers of Joel are always impressed with the prediction of the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit (2:28-32). The apostle Peter used this passage to explain the exciting events of Pentecost to his hearers (Acts 2:16-21). Just as Joel predicted, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all these early followers of Jesus who were gathered in Jerusalem seeking GOD's will and praying for His divine guidance.

But there is still a future dimension to Joel's prediction. The gifts of the Spirit that began to flow through the people of GOD on Pentecost were not exhausted on that day. They are still available to all who believe in the LORD Jesus Christ and who anxiously await His return and the final establishment of His kingdom. (For more information, see the article, "The Gifts of the Spirit".)

This section and the one above are taken from the "Illustrated Bible Dictionary, published by Thomas Nelson Publishing, p. 580.

Personal Application: Joel prophesied the inauguration of the Church age: A time when all can call on the name of the LORD everywhere, be saved from their sins, and enter in to become part of the kingdom of GOD. By means of the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Church will become Christ's body on earth. GOD's redemptive purposes will be extended in this way to all the world, through Spirit-filled believers.

This is the time in which we now live. Our privilege is not only experiencing personal salvation, but of being those believers who communicate the good news to all those who want to hear. What Joel was for a devastated Judah, the Church is for an afflicted world; in other words, a prophetic voice of GOD, revealing his message, calling for repentance, and extending the hope of salvation until the final and terrible Day of the LORD.

Joel's message, is concise and clear: if the plague of locusts was terrible, wait and see the day of the LORD's judgment. As a true prophet of GOD, Joel never ceased preaching the day of judgment and the day of GOD's grace.

Christ Revealed: Joel looked to a future time, when GOD would bring judgment upon his enemies and the enemies of Israel, when the nations would be called to give account of their acts. He also saw a day to come in which an abundance would flow from the LORD's throne in Zion. The instrument that would make these great events possible would be the Messiah: Jesus is the one whom this period in history holds, defeating his enemies, rewarding the Church, and definitively establishing his kingdom of righteousness.

Furthermore, it is Jesus who promises the coming of the Spirit in response to his completed redemptive work and return to the Father (John 14:15-18; 16:5-24). In the descent of the Spirit, the day of Pentecost, we have that spiritual return of Christ to dwell among the believers and lead his Church. Joel predicts his return in a physical and literal sense.

The Holy Spirit in Action: Joel's allusions to the Holy Spirit are notable. It was undoubtedly the Holy Spirit who led the prophet to see GOD's hand after what was occurring to foresee so much in advance the terrible Day of the LORD.

But the most outstanding passage of Joel is 2:28-32. Here the prophet contemplates a future time, when the Spirit of GOD is poured out "upon all flesh". Young and old, men and women, will have this experience. This section of the Scripture waiting for 800 years, as if suspended in time, the moment of its consummation. Although the Spirit had descended on prophets and priests, never had such a thing occurred in such a numerous group of people. Then, on the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out with such power and force that it attracted the attention of the masses gathered in Jerusalem for the feast. Peter appeals to this prophetic passage and declares: "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). A new era had been born, the Church had received power and now "all those who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved".