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Survey of Joel
Joel 1:1-3:21
"The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel,"
Joel 1:1
I would love to know more about men like Joel. Hitchcock's Bible Names says "Pethuel"
means persuasion of God. According to another scholar it signified, "the
openheartedness or sincerity of God," (Keil). Does that supply some hint about
his family background? Joel's name means Jehovah is God. Perhaps some
conclusions can be gathered from his message, especially regarding his
conviction and courage. We will have to be satisfied with our ignorance or
speculation about such matters. Likewise, as one commentator said: "The date of
the book is as conjectural as the life of the man himself," (A Commentary On The
Minor Prophets, Homer Hailey, p.#40).
This should not hinder our efforts to read and understand
the book of Joel. The following facts are easily discerned from your first
reading of the book:
1. The prophet directed the "word of the Lord" to the "elders," (1:2a).
References to Zion and Judah in the book would suggest Joel spoke to the leaders
in Judah, the southern kingdom.
2. Joel speaks of a calamity unlike anything before (1:2b).
3. The prophet instructed them to transmit the message to future generations
(1:3).
4. Joel spoke of a coming judgment as "the day of the Lord," and it was "at
hand," (2:1). This "alarm" was to be sounded "in Zion."
5. Judah would be invaded by "a people ... great and strong," (2:2).
6. The response God instructed through Joel was: "Turn to Me with all your
heart," (2:12).
7. Looking to the future, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh (2:28ff).
For the fulfillment of this prophecy, observe what the apostle Peter said on the
day of Pentecost: "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel," (Acts
2:16ff).
8. In chapter three, God says He would "bring back the captives of Judah and
Jerusalem," and deal with "all nations," for "their wickedness," (3:1,13).
A clear literary pattern emerges in Joel chapter one. Observing this as you read
the chapter can be of great help in studying the book of Joel. Joel describes
calamity. Alongside his description, he tells the people what their response
should be. Notice:
Calamity: "Has anything happened in your days, or even in the days of your
fathers?" (Verse 2).
Response: "Tell your children about it...," etc. (Verse 3). See Psa. 78:5,6.
Calamity: Consuming locusts (Verse 4).
Response: "Awake," (Verse 5).
Calamity: "...a nation has come up against My land," (Verse 6).
Response: "Lament...," (Verse 8).
Calamity: "The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut off from the
house of the Lord...," etc. (Verses 9,10).
Response: "Be ashamed...," (Verse 11).
Calamity: "The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered ... surely joy has
withered away from the sons of men," (Verse 12).
Response: "Gird yourselves and lament ... consecrate a fast, call a sacred
assembly; gather the elders...," (Verses 13,14).
Calamity: "The day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as destruction from the
Almighty...," (Verses 15-18).
Response: "O Lord, to You I cry out...," (Verses 19,20).
Joel is describing calamity, telling of judgment against the people. The prophet
wants the people of Judah and Jerusalem to know, God is saying something in
these events! Like other men of God, Joel was warning the people to see in their
calamity (past, present, future) the hand of God. These events - as described or
interpreted by Joel - should have caused the people to return to the Lord, who
"relents from doing harm," (2:13).
What are we to do with this teaching from Joel today?
(1) We learn of the stubborn wickedness of men.
Even after men begin to suffer the results of their own selfish ways,
they often show no signs of repentance (see Isa. 1:5-9). The blight brought upon
us by sin should awaken us to repent, especially when we understand the goodness
of God (Rom. 2:4).
(2) We ought to take to heart the patience of the
Lord, who "is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness; and He
relents from doing harm," (2:13). It was not too late, for the people
Joel spoke to, to realize and respond to God's mercy, rendering their hearts and
turning to the Lord.
(3) The outpouring of the Spirit Joel spoke of
has a very specific fulfillment beginning on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2:16ff). "It is evident from Acts 2 that only the apostles received the
outpouring of the Spirit on that occasion; and yet Peter quoted the passage from
Joel, declaring 'This is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel'
(Acts 2:16). Later we find the gospel being carried to the Gentiles. The
outpouring of the Spirit upon Cornelius and those gather in his house (Acts 10)
confirms the Gentiles' acceptance of the gospel and the Lord's acceptance of
them. Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9), and Paul
tells of women who prophesied (1 Cor. 11:5). This receiving of the Spirit would
be without distinction of age - 'old men and young men,' without distinction of
sex - 'sons and daughters,' and without distinction of social order - 'servants
and handmaids'." (A Commentary On The Minor Prophets, Homer Hailey, p.#54). We
who are God's people today are recipients of the blessings Joel prophesied. We
are God's spiritual remnant "according to the election of grace," (Rom. 11:5).
While we do not have Joel's among us today (inspired prophets), all of the
events we experience and witness on earth should work within us swift
repentance. God is in control. As time passes we should take seriously what the
Lord said through Joel: "Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I
am the Lord your God, and there is no other. My people shall never be put to
shame," (Joel 2:27). "Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold,
I lay in Zion, a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him
will by no means be put to shame," (1 Pet. 2:6).
By Warren E. Berkley
From Expository Files 12.5; May 2005
