INTRODUCTION TO JOEL

The Prophet Joel is mentioned by name only here and in the book of Acts. His name means 'The Lord is God.' It is probable that he lived in Judah, since he mentions Judah and Jerusalem in his book. He is possibly writing after the people returned from Babylonian captivity, since there is no mention of a king, and life seems to be centered around the temple. He writes against the background of a devastating plague of locusts, followed by a drought. He sees this as God's warning to his people to repent and restore their relationship with God. The materialistic, self-indulgent lifestyle of the people displeased God. God blessed the land, but, instead of seeking God, the people became pleasure-seeking. The locust plague is a warning of the coming Day of the Lord. The prophet promises that God's people will be restored after repentance, and those who harassed and persecuted them will be judged on the Day of the Lord.

Peter quotes Joel in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, and points out that Joel prophesied about the coming of the Holy Spirit on all flesh.

The book may be divided into 2 parts:

I. The locust plague--God's warning (1:1-2:17)

II. The Day of the Lord--God's judgment on the nations (2:18-3:21)

1. The joy of mankind is withered (1-12)

In Joel's time there was an invasion of locusts such as had never been before in Judah. It was like the invasion of a foreign army (6,7). The locusts stripped the bark from the trees; they laid waste the vines and devoured the grain in the fields. A drought followed the locust. Drunkards mourned because there was no wine; priests, because there was no grain for offerings. Farmers despaired. The joy of mankind had withered away. Natural disaster reminds us that God's blessings should not be taken for granted.

2. A call to repentance (13-20)

The day of the Lord is a time of God's decisive intervention in human history. God's acts of judgment are to call people to repent. The invasion of locusts was not an accident. It was the Lord's invitation to repent and call on the Lord. So the prophet calls to the Lord for mercy and help; even the wild animals pant for the Lord (19,20). God's wrath and love are two sides of the same coin.

Application: You, O Lord, are the source of all blessings. I call on you with a repentant and thankful heart.
One Word: Repent and call on the Lord