Joel

� Bible Study on the Book of Joel

1. Author Background

Name: Joel (Hebrew: יוֹאֵל, Yo'el – “Yahweh is God”)
Father: Pethuel (Joel 1:1) – No further information known.
Tribe/Region: Unknown – possibly from Judah based on internal evidence.

Joel was likely a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He appears to be deeply familiar with temple worship, suggesting proximity to Jerusalem. His style and tone suggest he may have been a priest or closely involved with temple duties.

1. Historical and Political Climate

Date of Writing:
Scholars propose two main timeframes:

1. Early Date (9th Century BC) – during the reign of Joash (2 Kings 11–12), placing Joel as one of the earliest literary prophets.
2. Late Date (5th–4th Century BC) – after the Babylonian exile, though no mention of exile supports the earlier view.

Internal Clues Favoring Early Date:

• No mention of Assyria, Babylon, or exile.
• References to temple worship and the priesthood (Joel 1:9, 13–14; 2:17).
• Absence of any mention of kings could indicate a time when the king was a minor (e.g., Joash under Jehoiada’s guardianship).

Main Crisis:
A devastating locust plague and resulting drought, which Joel sees as a wake-up call from God – a symbolic warning of the coming Day of the Lord.

1. Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 – A National Emergency

• Theme: Locust plague as a symbol of judgment.
• Joel calls the elders and priests to mourn and fast.
• Key Verse: “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten...” (Joel 1:4)
• Spiritual Message: A call to national repentance in response to calamity.

Chapter 2 – A Call to Repentance and the Coming Day of the Lord

• Theme: A deeper prophetic warning – not just literal locusts, but a future army and cosmic upheaval.
• Urges return to God with weeping, fasting, and rending hearts.
• Ends with restoration: rains return, crops are restored, and God's Spirit is promised to be poured out.
• Key Verse: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh...” (Joel 2:28)
• Spiritual Message: Repentance leads to restoration and spiritual renewal.

Chapter 3 – Judgment on Nations and Vindication of God’s People

• Theme: The Day of the Lord will also bring judgment on the nations that oppressed Israel.
• God's justice will be executed in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
• Ends with the future glory of Zion and divine presence dwelling among His people.
• Key Verse: “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion... but the LORD will be the hope of his people.” (Joel 3:16)
• Spiritual Message: God will ultimately judge wickedness and restore His people permanently.

1. Key Themes

• Day of the Lord: A central prophetic concept representing both judgment and hope.
• Call to Repentance: Genuine, heartfelt return to God is the only escape from judgment.
• Restoration: God’s mercy follows repentance – both physically (land, crops) and spiritually (Spirit outpouring).
• God’s Sovereignty: He controls nature, armies, and history.

1. Messianic Prophecies in Joel

Joel 2:28–32 (quoted in Acts 2:16–21)

• Prophecy: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh...”
• Fulfillment: Peter cites this at Pentecost (Acts 2), declaring it fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
• Messianic Significance: Sign of the New Covenant age, the Spirit accessible to all believers – young, old, men, women, slaves.

Joel 3:16–17

• Prophecy: “The LORD shall roar from Zion... so shall ye know that I am the LORD your God.”
• Fulfillment Theme: Jesus Christ comes as the righteous judge and king (cf. Revelation 14:14–20).
• Messianic Significance: The Day of the Lord finds its climax in Christ’s return to judge the nations and reign in Zion.

1. Outline for Teaching or Discussion

1. Final Reflection

Joel’s message is timeless:

• Crisis is not just a natural disaster, but a call from God.
• True revival begins with repentance.
• God’s Spirit is for all – young and old, Jew and Gentile.
• The Day of the Lord is both a warning and a hope – Jesus is coming again.