The book of Joel uses the power of illustration to make its point. The southern kingdom of Judah had just experienced a massive locust plague followed by a devastating drought, both devastaing the agricultural base of Israel. The opening section of Joel describes these twin disasters. But with all of their destructive power, they are merely a foretaste of the wrath to come at the Day of the Lord.
In the second and final section of Joel, we again find the grace of God. He will not utterly destroy his people. Rather, he will bring salvation to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.
What does it say?
The people of Judah had experienced a massive locust plague and a severe drought that had devastated the land. In the book of Joel, these twin disasters are used by the prophet as living illustrations of the wrath God would bring to the people for their persistent violation of the covenant. As bad as the locust and the drought had been, they were a mere foretaste of what was to come.
Joel announces the destruction will come due to disobedience and exhorts the people to repentance and prayer. Restoration will come to God's people, but only after judgment and repentance.
Faces & Places
The two players in the book of Joel are Joel himself and the people of Judah. Little is known about Joel, since he is not mentioned outside this book and in Acts 2:16. There are 12 other men named Joel in the Bible, but none of them can be properly identified as the prophet Joel, writer of this book.
Since Joel is addressing the people in the southern kingdom of Judah, it is not surprising to see a particular focus on Jerusalem. This great city, the capital of Judah, is directly mentioned six times in the book's three chapters.
Key Verses & Themes
Repentance:
Joel 2:12-13 "'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' 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, and he relents from sending calamity."
The Coming of the Spirit:
Joel 2:28-29 "'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and woman, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.'"
The Day of the Lord:
Joel 2:31 "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
So what?
How powerful is God? Consider the destructive power of the most ferocious tornado, or the awesome blast of an exploding mountain (remember the pictures from Mount St. Helen), or even the atomic explosion at Hiroshima. All are merely a drop in the bucket compared to the wrath of God to come at the great and dreadful Day of the Lord. Joel makes his point to the people of Judah, and we would do well to hear the lesson. The power of God is indescribable, and so will be his judgment of sin.
But Joel also reminds us of the mercy of God to all who call on him. In fact, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32). As you read Joel, realize the power and might of God and his ultimate judgment of sin. Realize also his mercy and grace to those who come to him for salvation. Choose to come to him and stay with him.
