Joel

Joel

Finding the Context:

The author of Joel is the prophet Joel. We do not know much about him except that he was the son of Pethuel (1:1). His name means “Son of Yaweh” and his father’s name means, “Face of God.” He wrote this book to the people of Judah (2:1; 3:1, 20) possibly around the time of king Joash. There is no king mentioned in this book so it is believed that it may have been during King Joash’s reign when Jehoiada was instructing him (2 Kings 11,12). It could have also been written during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah after the exile when there was no king in place. Joel was written in order to give a more broad, generic type call to repentance. There are no specific sins mentioned. Rather it is a simple call to repentance prompted by a plague of locusts (2:1-10; 25). There is also quite a bit mentioned about mourning and weeping (1:8,9,11,12,13,14,16; 2:12). These are all in line with the main theme of the book which a call to everyone to repentance. There is inclusiveness to this call because Joel calls various peoples (leaders 1:2, children 1:3, drunkards 1:5, farmers, 1:11, vine growers 1:11, those who serve before the alter 1:13, leaders and people of the land 1:14, all people 2:16, priests 2:17, people of Jerusalem 2:23). He is calling all kinds of people to repent and toward the end of the book after they repent in 2:15-18 God says that He will pour out his Spirit on all flesh (2:28,29). This also is an inclusive offer.

Theme Tracing:

      What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

You see the mercy of God clearly portrayed in this book. You see Him crying out to his people in 2:12,13 calling them to turn back and repent. It says in verse 12 that He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in love, eager to relent and not punish. The author even says in verse 13 to the people that God may even give them a reprieve and a blessing instead of a curse if they repent, in other words, implying that He is surprisingly good. You also see His mercy portrayed in 3:21 where He says that He will pardon the crimes of His people and give them a home.

You also see the generosity of God. Even those His people have sinned, once they repent, He gives them back what they have lost and He pours out His Spirit generously on ALL people (2:25-29). You see His rich blessings that He promises to bestow (3:18-20).

      What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

God’s redemptive plan is shown in his actions of restoring to His people what they had lost through sin (2:25-26). This is just a small glimpse of God’s heart. His whole overall arching theme is bringing about restoration and giving us back what we lost through sin, a relationship with Him. Joel allows us to see a glimpse of that piece of His heart by sharing with the people that God longs to restore what they have lost once they turn to Him.

Application Questions:

       Personal Application

I love 2:25-27 where God promises to give back to His people what was lost through the locusts. He says that His people will never again be disgraced. I find it so encouraging that God is able to give back things that were lost because of sin. His redemption is amazing to me and nothing is too hard for him to restore. Even in areas where sin has affected my life, God is bigger than all of that and He is able to give me back what I have lost. He is big enough and kind enough to redeem and restore things that have been taken from me. I love how redeeming and kind He is. He boggles my mind.

       Point of Passion

Pastors and present day “priests” are given an amazing responsibility of bringing people back to God. In 2:15-18 the call is given for the people of God to come to a solemn meeting and fast. Then the “priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence” are called to “stand and weep BETWEEN the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray…” They are called to pray a prayer pleading with God to spare the people. Verse 18 says that THEN the Lord will pity his people. The chapter then goes on to share the blessings that God will bring upon His people and the restoration that He will bring to them. The priests were called to stand in on behalf of the people and pray for them. That was what caused God’s heart to be turned on behalf of His people. Christian leaders and pastors have a tremendous responsibility to stand in on behalf of those they lead, crying out on behalf of those that have sinned. They are called to stand in the gap through prayer. This is what moves God’s heart and brings a turning from destruction to blessing.