Joel

Joel is a short collection of poetic prophecies that is powerful yet puzzling. This obscure prophet alludes to the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, which makes it all the more interesting to read but somewhat difficult to grasp without referencing the works of these Old Testament prophets.

Israel's sin and rebellion had led to disaster in the past when God judged them in the day of the LORD. The locust plague was a devastation unlike anything in the history of Israel, a terrible resemblance of the eighth plague God performed upon Egypt. Joel called out to the people to repent because a future day of the LORD is coming, in which a more fearful locust host in the form of a menacing, merciless army will devour the land and its inhabitants.

Human sin and failure often reap devastating destruction in this fallen world, and only when we are willing to own up to our faults can we experience forgiveness and favor, for God's mercy and love is more powerful than His wrath and judgment (2:13; Exodus 34:6).

The message of Joel brings hope to all of humanity that one day God will rid the evil that is rampant in our world as well as inside of us, and bring His healing presence among us and make all things new:

2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

 

OUTLINE OF JOEL

1. The Day of the Locust (1:1-20)
a. Destruction by the Plague (1:1-12)
b. Desolation from the Plague (1:13-20)
2. The Day of the LORD (2:1-3:21)
a. Message to Israel (2:1-32)
The Coming of the Day of the LORD
The Calling of the LORD
The Comforting of the LORD
b. Message to Gentile Nations (3:1-21)
The Gathering of the Nations
The Pouring out of Judgment
The Promise of Blessing