Joel
Joel
• Part of the Minor Prophets (the book of the
Twelve). The name Joel ( ,‫יֹואֵ ל‬yo'el) means “the
LORD is God.” The book itself is short, consisting
of only three chapters.
• Heyink, B. (2012, 2013, 2014). Joel, Book of. In J.
D. Barry, L. Wentz, D. Mangum, C. SinclairWolcott, R. Klippenstein, D. Bomar, … D. R. Brown
(Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham,
WA: Lexham Press.
Joel
• Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his
commission was to that people. He makes
frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem
(1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21).
• Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible
dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Joel: Major Divisions
• The book of Joel is generally divided into two sections: 1:1–2:27 and 2:28–
3:21.
– The first part centers around a plague of locusts and its meaning for the
people of Judah and for their relationship with God.
– The second section of the book of Joel has often been characterized as having
apocalyptic themes (particularly 2:30–31).
• Bandstra, B. L. (2011). Joel, book of. In M. A. Powell (Ed.), The
HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (Third Edition., p.
477). New York: HarperCollins.
• Joel centers much of his message in the concept of “the day of the LORD.”
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by book: a
guided tour (p. 217). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Joel: Subdivisions
• Joel discusses four main topics: (a) the appalling
devastations of successive plagues of locusts, literal
enough, yet symbolizing deeper meanings; (b) the renewed
fruitfulness of the land on the repentance of Israel; (c) the
gifts of the Spirit; (d) final judgment on the nations which
have wronged Israel, and the blessedness-to-be of the land
of Judah. In all these, primary and eschatological references
intertwine.
• Stewart, R. A. (1996). Joel, Book Of. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H.
Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.),
New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 590). Leicester, England;
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
General Outline of Joel
• I. Present judgment and blessings (1:1–2:27)
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A. The plague of locusts (1:1–20)
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B. The coming “day of the LORD” and repentance (2:1–17)
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C. God’s deliverance (2:18–27)
• II. Future judgment and blessings (2:28–3:21)
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A. Pouring out of the spirit (2:28–32)
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B. Judgment of the nations (3:1–17)
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C. Blessings on the “day of the LORD” (3:18–21)
• Bandstra, B. L. (2011). Joel, book of. In M. A. Powell (Ed.), The
HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (Third Edition., p.
477). New York: HarperCollins.
Influence of Joel
• The book of Joel was influential on much of the apocalyptic
literature found in the Hebrew Bible. Yet it has also been
particularly influential within the Christian tradition. Joel
2:28–32 is quoted in Acts 2 during Pentecost. In that
account, the “spirit” that was promised by God in Joel is
interpreted as the Holy Spirit, which comes upon the
disciples in the upper room.
• Bandstra, B. L. (2011). Joel, book of. In M. A. Powell (Ed.),
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
(Third Edition., p. 478). New York: HarperCollins.
Joel
• “Joel was the vehicle of a divine revelation which has a significance
perhaps beyond his full understanding. In his book the impinging of
the eternal on the temporal, which is the hallmark of genuine
inspiration, is undeniably in evidence. This is especially true in his
arresting description of locust-plague havoc, symbolic of God’s
wrath and punitive visitation of sin. Vividly portrayed also is God’s
gracious restoration of his people following upon repentance. There
are factual prophecies linked with our Lord’s death, with the coming
of the Holy Spirit, with both the horror and the hope of the endtimes. This is one of the briefest and yet one of the most disturbing
and heart-searching books of the OT.”
• Stewart, R. A. (1996). Joel, Book Of. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall,
A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible
dictionary (3rd ed., p. 591). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press.
Detailed Outline of Joel
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OUTLINE OF JOEL
Title (1:1)
I. 1A—Judgment on Israel: Locust Plague (1:2–20)
1. Summons to Lamentation (1:2–14)
(1) Elders (1:2–4)
(2) Drunkards (1:5–7)
(3) General Audience (1:8–10)
(4) Farmers (1:11–12)
(5) Priests (1:13–14)
2. Prophetic Lamentation (1:15–20)
II. 1B—Judgment on Israel: Northern Army Invasion (2:1–11)
1. Call to Sound the Alarm (2:1–2a)
2. Description of the Army (2:2bc–9)
3. Signs of the Day of the Lord (2:10–11)
III. 1C—Transition: Repentance and Response (2:12–19)
1. Invitation to Repentance (2:12–14)
2. Summons to the Sacred Assembly (2:15–17)
3. Introduction to the Divine Response (2:18–19)
IV. 1B′/2A—Forgiveness for Israel/Judgment on Nations: Northern Army Destroyed (2:20)
V. 1A′/2B—Forgiveness for Israel: Locust Plague Reversed / Grace: Rain Poured on the Land (2:21–27)
1. Summons to Celebration (2:21–24)
2. Divine Promise of Healing (2:25–27)
VI. 2B′—Grace: Spirit Poured on All People (2:28–32)
1. Gift of the Spirit (2:28–29)
2. Signs of the Day of the Lord (2:30–31)
3. Promise of Salvation (2:32)
VII. 2A′—Judgment on Nations: All Nations Destroyed (3:1–21 [4:1–21])
1. The Valley of Jehoshaphat (3:1–3 [4:1–3])
2. Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia (3:4–8 [4:4–8])
3. Summons to All Nations (3:9–12 [4:9–12])
4. The Winepress of the Lord (3:13 [4:13])
5. Signs of the Day of the Lord (3:14–17 [4:14–17])
6. The Final State (3:18–21 [4:18–21])
Garrett, D. A. (1997). Hosea, Joel (Vol. 19A, p. 310). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
A Walk Through Joel
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1:1 Heading
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In contrast to Hosea, Joel’s heading is succinct, providing no knowledge of who he
is or when he lived.
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1:2–12 Scene 1A: The Locust Plague
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Note how Joel’s words “Hear this” (v. 2) are the beginning of his wake-up call (v. 5)
for lamentation and repentance to a nation paying no more attention to her ways
than drunkards would (v. 5). It is often pointed out that the description of the
plague in verses 6–12 is painfully precise. Watch how the promised blessings in
2:18–27 respond directly to this scene.
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Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by book: a guided
tour (p. 219). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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1:13–20 Scene 1B: A Summons to Repentance
• Not only would such a plague wipe out a people economically for
years, but the sacrificial system comes to a grinding halt when there
is nothing left to sacrifice; hence the focus on the first call to
repentance is on the priests (vv. 13–14). The rest of the summons
repeats the cause for mourning (vv. 15–18), followed by Joel’s own
prayer in the same vein (vv. 19–20).
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (pp. 219–220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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2:1–11 Scene 2A: God’s Invading Army
• Note how this second description of the plague pictures the locusts
as something now in the future; it will come against God’s people as
a vast army led by God himself (the holy war turns against Israel!).
There is perhaps a bit of irony here, as Israel expects God to come
in their behalf accompanied by winged cherubim (Ps 18:10; Ezek
10:1–20), but instead he comes with winged creatures of
destruction.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (p. 220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The Plague of Locusts
DIFFERING VIEWS
The Plague of Locusts
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An Assyrian inscription from the time of Sargon II (722–705 B.C.) vividly illustrates
the effects of an invading army on a land: “The city of Aniash-tania … together
with 17 cities of its neighborhood, I [Sargon] destroyed, I leveled to the ground;
the large timbers of their roots I set on fire, their crops [and] their stubble I
burned, their filled-up granaries I opened and let my army devour the unmeasured
grain. Like swarming locusts I turned the beasts of my camps into its meadows,
and they tore up the vegetation on which it [the city] depended; they devastated
its plain” (D.D. Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia. 2 vols.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1926-1927, 2:85).
the army in 2:1–11 is probably a literal northern army, described in locust-like
terms to emphasize that it, like the locusts, was an instrument of the Lord which
represented the culmination of the judgment initiated through the locust invasion.
Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Joel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible
Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1411).
Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Locust Plague
• As you read Joel, you will see that he fits into this
pattern of describing it. For him, the locust
plague has set God’s day in motion as judgment
on Judah and Jerusalem, but its consummation
clearly lies in a great future eschatological event
of judgment on the nations and ultimately the
restoration of God’s people.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the
Bible book by book: a guided tour (p. 219). Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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2:12–17 Scene 2B: The Summons to Repentance
• The second summons to repentance is one of the more memorable
moments in the Old Testament. Note especially the echoes of
Deuteronomy 30:1–6—that fasting and sackcloth and ashes mean
nothing if there is no rending of heart. Here also (Joel 2:13) you find
the covenant basis for such repentance: God is gracious and
compassionate.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (p. 220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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2:18–27 Scene 3A: God’s Response—the Promise of Plenty
• Note how much this scene corresponds to the plague as described
in 1:2–12 and responds to the assumed repentance in 2:12–17. The
“locust” army is pushed into the two seas (v. 20), and abundance is
restored. But the ultimate goal is the praise of Yahweh and the
removal of the people’s shame (vv. 26–27).
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (p. 220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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2:28–32 Scene 3B: God’s Response—the Promise of the Spirit
• A part of the future restoration will be the fulfillment of Moses’
yearning that all of God’s people will be prophets (Num 11:29).
Note how the list of those who will prophesy covers the whole
gamut of the social order, including daughters and the lowest on
the social ladder—female servants. Note also that this belongs to
the eschatological future, accompanied by cosmic signs before the
final expression of God’s “day,” when salvation is for all who call on
Yahweh’s name.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (p. 220). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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3:1–16a Scene 4A: God’s Response—Final Judgment of the Nations
• As scene 3A corresponds to 1A, so this scene (4A) corresponds to
2A. Here you find a more typical “woe oracle” (see How to 1, p.
195) in which both the nature of God’s judgment and the reasons
for it are spelled out. Note especially how this fulfills the pledge of
the holy war that God will drive out all their enemies.
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (pp. 220–221). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
A Walk Through Joel
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3:16b–21 Scene 4B: God’s Response—Future Blessing of God’s
People
• As with 2:28–32, this final picture is overlaid with images of
eschatological abundance: the lavish renewal of the land (v. 18a); a
fountain flowing out of Jerusalem (v. 18b; cf. Ezek 47:1–12; Rev
22:1–5); Israel’s traditional enemies finished forever (v. 19); an
eternal habitation of Judah and Jerusalem (v. 20); and total removal
of sin (v. 21). The ultimate basis for this is the return of God’s
presence to Zion (vv. 17, 21).
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read the Bible book by
book: a guided tour (p. 221). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The “Day of the Lord”
• At the heart of Joel’s message is “the day of
the LORD,” a concept that had been used by
the prophets for some time before Joel came
on the scene (see Amos 5:18–20; Isa 2:12–18;
3:7, 18; 11:10–11; Jer 30:7–8; Zeph 1:7–2:2)
• Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. K. (2002). How to read
the Bible book by book: a guided tour (p. 218).
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The “Day of the Lord”
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. . . sometimes involves the judgment of God’s people, including the Northern
Kingdom (at the hands of the Assyrians; cf. Amos 5:18, 20) and Judah (at the hands
of the Babylonians; cf. Lam. 1:12; 2:1, 21–22; Ezek. 7:19; 13:5; Zeph. 2:2–3).
Sometimes this judgment appears in the context of a more universal judgment on
all nations (cf. Isa. 2:12; Zeph. 1:18).
. . . often involves the judgment of foreign nations, including Babylon (at the hands
of the Medes; cf. Isa. 13:6, 9), Egypt (at the hands of the Babylonians; cf. Jer. 46:10;
Ezek. 30:3), Edom (cf. Isa. 34:8–9), and the eschatological northern coalition
headed by Gog (Ezek. 39:8).
“The day of the LORD” will bring purification and restoration for Israel (cf. Isa. 61:2;
Mal. 4:5), but also intense suffering (Zech. 14:1–3).
In Joel all three of the elements just listed appear in relationship to “the day of the
LORD.” Israel’s judgment is threatened in Joel 1:15 and 2:1–11, Israel’s deliverance
is foreseen in 2:28–32, and universal judgment on the nations is depicted in
chapter 3.
Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Joel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1412). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The “Day of the Lord”
• . . . generally speaking, “the day of the LORD” is an idiom
used to emphasize the swift and decisive nature of the
Lord’s victory over His enemies on any given occasion.
• In the Old Testament “the day of the LORD” may refer to
either a particular historical event or an eschatological
battle which will culminate the present age.
• Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Joel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B.
Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1412). Wheaton, IL:
Victor Books.
The “Day of the Lord”
• We must recognize the paradox that the day of the LORD is
at the same time one event and many events. Joel does not
present some events (e.g., the locust plague) as a mere
foreshadowing of the day of the LORD. Rather, the locust
plague is the day of the LORD. But the invasion by the
northern enemy is also the day of the LORD, and so is the
pouring out of the Spirit and also the judgment of all
nations. The day of the LORD is not exclusively any specific
period of tribulation, deliverance, or final judgment. But
each of these events can rightly be called the day of the
LORD.
• Garrett, D. A. (1997). Hosea, Joel (Vol. 19A, p. 306).
Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The “Day of the Lord”
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In discussing the day of the Lord in the end times, Joel focused on one major
aspect of that “day,” namely, the single event when the Lord will intervene in
history to destroy His enemies and deliver His people Israel.
The day of the Lord, however, as other Scriptures show, will include other events:
(1) Before Israel’s enemies will be destroyed they will plunder and devastate Israel
(Zech. 14:1–2). This will be a time of anguish for Israel (Zeph. 1:7–18; cf. Dan.
12:1). Jesus called this time period (the Great Tribulation) a time of “great distress”
(Matt. 24:21) for the nation.
(2) After the Lord will destroy His enemies (at Messiah’s return) the day of the Lord
will include a time of blessing for Israel (cf. Obad. 15 with Obad. 21), known as the
Millennium.
(3) Then after the Millennium the day of the Lord will also include the destruction
of the present heavens and earth and the making of new heavens and a new earth
(2 Peter 3:10, 12–13).
Chisholm, R. B., Jr. (1985). Joel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1412). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.