Joel
CHAPTERS 1 - 3
The Book of Joel
Joel’s name means: “Yahweh is the Lord” or “The Lord is God”
Not much is known about Joel. We know: his father is Pethuel,
raised in Judah/Jerusalem, could have been from the
Tribe/Family of Levi, and he does not mention who is King when
he writes.
When written? Maybe during Ezra/Nehemiah’s time 500 bc as
the timeline shows or 835 bc (most theologians believe) during
II Kings 11: 1- 12: 21 when Queen Athaliah murdered many of
David’s family line. However, Jehosheba (Joash’s aunt) hid
Joash in the Temple (the rightful King from David’s lineage).
Jehoiada (the High Priest) mentored Joash - King at 7 yrs old!
Judah was destroyed by a
locust plague that Joel used to
picture God’s judgement – The
Day of the Lord
Chapters 1: 1 –2: 27
This judgement by God was first to His
household –to Judah who had fallen
away from God.
Times past – Joel’s lifetime, ongoing –
periodic throughout history, and
now… He is cleaning His house…
God gives us how to be
saved in 2: 12 –13
“…Return to Me with all your
heart, with fasting, weeping,
and mourning, Rend (rip) 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…”
When we repent and return to
obedience, He promises:
“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 women, I will
pour out My Spirit in those
days…And everyone who calls
upon the Name of the Lord will
be saved…” Joel 2: 28-32
Acts 2 -4
‘The Day of the Lord’ declared 19xs in the OT by 8 different
prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Obadiah, Zephaniah,
Zechariah, Malachi, and Joel)
Joel 3: 14 – 16b, “Multitudes, multitudes in the
valley of decision/ valley of judgement…but the
Lord will be a refuge (hiding place) for His
people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”
Peter said…
II Peter 3: 8-10,
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends, with
the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a
thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in
keeping His promises, as some would understand
slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a
thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the
elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
everything done in it will be laid bare.”
Joel continues, 3:17
“Then you will know that I, the Lord your
God, dwell in Zion, My holy hill,
Jerusalem will be holy…Judah will be
inhabited forever and Jerusalem
through all generations….
The Lord dwells in Zion!”
What does Joel tell us?
*The Lord will judge His house (the
Church) –the Valley of Decision
* He is a hiding place for those who
love Him and live obediently
*He has poured out His Holy Spirit to
live within us –Acts 2
*The Day of the Lord is coming! He
will live in the New Jerusalem
