THE BOOK OF JOEL

THE BOOK OF JOEL
A SUMMARY

“Joel, a prophet of Judah, probably exercised his ministry during the reign of Joash (2 Chronicles 22 to 24.). In his youth he may have known Elijah, and he certainly was a contemporary of Elisha. The plagues of insects, which were the token of the divine chastening, give occasion for the unveiling of the coming “day of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:12, refs.), in its two aspects of judgment on the Gentiles and blessing for Israel.” — Scofield.

Author: Joel, a prophet of Judah. Very little is known concerning him, .

Name: Means “Jehovah is God.”

Key Thought: National repentance and its blessings.

Key Phrase: “The day of the Lord,” appears 5 times: Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14 and 31 times in the all of the Scriptures.

The Day of the Lord:

1) A time of Judgments upon the People for their Sins:

a. The plague of locusts, Joel 1:4-9.

b. The severe drought, Joel 1:10-20.

c. The judgment of the locusts and caterpillars, or of those who are designed by them, Joel 2:1-11.

2) The people of the Jews are called to repentance, Joel 2:12-20.

a. Humiliation, and fasting, urged from the grace and goodness of God.

b. His jealousy and pity for His people.

c. The answer of prayer that might be expected from Him upon this, even to the removal of the calamity,

3) A prophecy of good things, both temporal and spiritual, in the times of the Messiah, is delivered out as matter and occasion of great joy, Joel 2:21-27.

4) A prophecy concerning the pouring out of the Spirit, which was fulfilled an the day of Pentecost, Joel 2:28-29.

5) The chapter is concluded with the judgments and desolations that should come upon the land of Judea for their rejection of Christ, though the remnant should be delivered and saved from the general destruction by the Grace of God, Joel 2:30-32.

6) A prophecy of God’s judgments:

a. A prophecy of God’s judgments on all the antichristian nations at the time of the Jews’ conversion, Joel 3:1-3;

b. A threatening of Tyre and Zidon, by way of retaliation, for carrying the riches of the Jews into their temples, and selling their persons to the Greeks, Joel 3:4-8;

c. An alarm to prepare for the battle of Armageddon, or the destruction that shall be made in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joe 3:9-15;

1. The battle of that great day of God Almighty, Revelation 16:14, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

2. Gog and Magog, Revelation 20:8, “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

d. An account of the happy state of the people of God, their safety and security, plenty, prosperity, and purity, to the end of the world, Joel 3:16-21.