The Reason for Joel - Joel 1-3

JOEL

(Means: The Lord is God)  His name is the reverse of Elijah - God is the Lord

Historical Setting

Judah is taken captive by Babylon in 586 B.C.

Joel continues the message of Zephaniah providing a spiritual reason for the captivity

Prophecy Against

Joel, like Zephaniah, is prophesying against Judah as they go into captivity about the coming Day of the Lord AND the promise of future blessing in Christ. 

Time Period

596 - 586  B.C. - (Early Exile of Judah)

 He describes an invading army without naming them in chapter two.  Babylon was known by the people

Historical Theme - What did it mean then?

1. God is judging His people for their failure to obey His Word and this prophesy was His final words before the exile to Babylon.

2. There was a remnant who were left in the land and those who went into exile who needed encouragement that God would once again bless the nation as a whole.

Outline of the Book

1.The devastation - by locust  (1:1-13)

2. The devastation - by drought and starvation (1:14-20)

3. The devastation - by wicked army (2:1-17)

4. The deliverance of the remnant - (2:18-29)

 4a. Deliverance promised (2:18-27)

4b. Spirit promised (2:28-29)

5. The devastation - by the Day of the Lord (2:30-3:17)

6. The deliverance of the remnant - (3:18-21)

Future Theme - What's it mean in future?

1.  The Promise of the Spirit in 2:28-29 is experienced in Acts 2. 

2.  The return of the remnant is written about in the N.T. 

Reasons to read it:

1. You would want to read Joel to understand how God works with those who are disobedient.

2. You would want to read Joel if you think your disobedience doesn't mean anything to God. 

3. You would want to read Joel to see His faithfulness to His promise of future curses (see Deuteronomy 28-31)

4. You would want to read Joel to see God's faithfulness to His promise of future blessings.  (see Deuteronomy 28-31)

Practical Theme - What does it mean for me today?

1. Joel has the same message as Zephaniah - God sometimes has to say the same message over and over.

2. Joel proclaims God's warning out to all the inhabitants of the land - everyone gets the warning (1:2, 3, 5,11, 13, 14)

3. Joel shows us the great and terrible devastation on the earth and on the people who reject God. (Chapter 1 and 2a)

4. Joel shows the remarkable character of God in regard to repentance (2:12-17)

5. The promise of the Spirit (2:28-29) is an outpouring of God rejoicing over us (Zephaniah 3:17)

6. The nations will be judged for how they rejected God and how they treated Israel (chapter 3)