The Prophet Joel

By paulage

  • Joel's Origins

    -The origins and time of Joel is fairly unkown. We do know however, that Joel's father was Pethuel. Based on Joel's concern with Judah, many believe that he lived there("The Prophet Joel").
    -"Joel must have lived during the early Eight Century B.C.E because he does not mention Assyria, Babylon, or Persia"("The Book of Joel").
    -"Also the general attitude of the people and the literary themes he presents in his book reflect the early Eighth Century B.C atmosphere"("The Book of Joel").

  • The Plague of Locusts

    -The plague is portrayed with such detailed accuracy, including names of four different kind of locusts-that many critics believe the prophet lived through this horror(Buttrick 340).
    - " What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; And what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten; And what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten"(Joel 1:1, NASB).
    -"The field is ruined. The land mourns...."(Joel 1:10, NASB).

  • The Warning

    -Joel preached that the plague of locusts is a certain sign of Yahweh’s wrath. Repentance is needed in the community for their unspecified sins.
    -“Joel appeals to all the people and the priests of the land to fast and humble themselves as they seek God’s forgiveness"(GotQuestions.org).
    -"Rend your heart and not your garments.Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."(Joel 2:13, NASB)

  • Joel Brings Good News

    -Joel says that if they do this than the locusts will seem like gnats to them and God will bring renewed material and blessings to the people.
    -The Lord replied[a] to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations"(Joel 2:19, NASB).

  • Joel Tells of the End

    -Joel also talks of the day of the Lord. When God will bring forth his wrath and judgement among the people. It will be a terrifying day for his enemies he says.
    -"I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel,because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land"(Joel 3:2, NASB).