The prophecy of joel may seem unimportant as it contains only three brief chapters. Joel sets his message up by pointing to a literal locust plague which he poetically morphs into a. Joel is referred to only once in the new testament acts 2. According to scholars who hold that joel was historically the first book of the minor prophets, joel 1. In other words, god says, nothing like this has ever happened in your lifetime, or in your fathers lifetime. This is the divine key to the book joel s pen, but not joel s words, compare acts 1. Key personalities are joel and the people of judah. If you havent noticed you havent been paying attention. The people are hereupon called to repentance, joel 2. May 07, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of joel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. One of judahs earliest prophets, joel means yahweh is god.
Joel 2 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The book of joels importance to the canon of scripture stems from its being the first to develop an oftmentioned biblical idea. Why did god use a locust swarm to punish israel joel 1. The terribleness of the plague may be judged of by the following description of the locusts. Joel speaks of gods wrath and ultimate punishment of all the nations that oppressed gods people. Read joel 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Book of joel bible study chapter 2 the day of the lord. Jan 02, 2020 book of joel bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. The book of joel was likely written between 835 and 800 b. The book of joel explained is a passagebypassage analysis of the book of the prophet joel. Joel is a narrative and prophetic source of wisdom. How does god restore the years that the locusts have eaten joel 2.
The jewish canon lumps all together as the twelve and divides joel into four chapters. Joel meaning one to whom jehovah is god, that is, worshipper of jehovah seems to have belonged to judah, as no reference occurs to israel. Joel is bright and flowing, his imagery and language are fine driver, introduction to the literature of the old testament. Joel then tells the people about a special day that is coming. Some scientists say the book has been written around 400 bc or even later. Also, the fact that god sent locusts was a very big deal because of what the bugs symbolized. Is it true that youre a real old testament prophet. Promises are made of the return of mercy upon their repentance joel 2. This theory of an early date of composition was, above all, strongly supported by the fact that no mention is made of. Besides this very short message we do not know anything about the person and circumstances of joels life.
The book of joel is part of the hebrew bible, one of twelve prophetic books known as the twelve minor prophets. The book of joel introduction to the book of joel in the bible. Skip heitzig, a dear friend and senior pastor of a wonderful bibleteaching congregation of some 14,000 people in new mexico, taught at the conference on joel 2. The second major problem in the book concerns the fulfillment of. Study the bible online using commentary on joel 2 and more.
Explanation of the book joel image collections book. There is no king mentioned in this book to give us a time reference point. Joel means jehovah is god, and it was a very common name. An analysis of the text further indicates that joel lived during the period of the second temple of jerusalem 516 bc ad 70, for his book reflects the liturgy then in use the books central theme is a concept borrowed from preexilic prophets that salvation will come to judah and jerusalem only when the people. The book of joel also makes ample mention of priests, temple rituals, and nations, such as phoenicia, philistia, egypt, and edom, that were prominent in the late ninth century bc. Joel was just a messenger, a spiritual currier entrusted with a message from god.
The term indicates the short length of the text in relation to longer prophetic texts known as the major prophets. Joel may be reckoned among the classics of hebrew literature. Verses 1217 we have here an earnest exhortation to repentance, inferred from that desolating judgment described and threatened in the foregoing verses. As the apostle john describes in the book of revelation. What does it mean to let the weak say i am strong in joel 3. The book of joel started with plagues yet ends with prosperity. Its purpose was to call the southern kingdom to repentance or prepare for the coming judgment. Watch our overview video on the book of joel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. However, this little book is like an atom bombit is not very big, but it sure is potent and powerful. These have not occurred yet and neither has the lord jesus returned. What is the book of joel about and how does it apply to us today. The wrath of god on the unbelieving nations is described as gods trampling of the grapes in the winepress 3. You can find the best commentary on joel for you using the tools on the right side.
The greek septuagint lxx, and latin vulgate versions follow the hebrew masoretic text, titling this book after joel the prophet, the recipient of the message from god 1. After a superscription ascribing the prophecy to joel son of pethuel, the book may be broken down into the. Like all scripture, the book of joel is the word of god. Joel kjv the word of the lord that came to joel bible.
Book of joel, second of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets. To answer your question, i thought it would be fun to pretend to interview joel. However, this little book is like an atom bombit is not very big, but it sure is. Summary of the book of joel the story of the bible. Apr 23, 2020 explanation of the book joel april 23, 2020 understanding the structure of book the animated book of joel said the of hadith from the depths of despair to interpretation and structure in joel. A free bible version and commentary on the book of joel in easyenglish. The author of the prophecy is identified only as joel the son of pethuel. Then god will give peace to his people again joel 3. The book relates nothing about joel except his name and that of his father. Jan 02, 2019 the book of joel explained is a passagebypassage analysis of the book of the prophet joel. There have been many guesses as to the time of when joel lived. Book of joel, second of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor.
The really important thing is that joel has a message from god. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains. The book discusses joel himself, and the people of judah. Joel was the first to mention this and as we continue through this book well see this theme expanded and elaborated upon. A huge plague of locusts connected with a great drought gave the occasion for writing this book. We all live in a world that is becoming more and more antigod and it is ripe for judgement. Ultimately the book of joel will find its fulfillment in the great tribulation, the time of jacobs trouble, preceding the judgment of the nations 3. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers. Basically, it is that, the day of the lord is coming to bring judgment for gods enemies and restoration for gods people.
Judah, the setting for the book, is devastated by a vast horde of locusts. Thus you must answer the end and intention of the judgment. Joel free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Be ashamed, o ye husbandmen, wail, o ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley.
This is the divine key to the book joels pen, but not joels words, compare acts 1. Jun 21, 2011 this one of the reasons i love the old testament book of joel and why im grateful we studied it together at the 2011 epicenter conference because it is a powerful call to action. Joel king james version kjv 1 the word of the lord that came to joel the son of pethuel. Joel said, now, therefore, says the lord, turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. The land over which their devastating hordes have passed at once assumes the appearance of sterility and dearth. Joel with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The first verse of this short book names joel jehovah is god the son of pethuel as author. Estimates for the dates of the book of joel range from the ninth century to the second century b.
The hebrew bibles profoundly monotheistic interpretation of human life and. Book of joel read, study bible verses online bible study tools. It is a warning to the people about the dangers of turning from god. Understanding the book of joel creator is universal. In the verses below, we highlighted the common portion of. The book of joel states that its author was the prophet joel joel 1. Understanding the book of joel creator is universal kingdom.
Locusts were one of the 10 plagues god used to free the israelites from slavery in egypt, remember. The blue letter bible ministry and the blb institute hold to the historical, conservative christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of scripture. An introduction to joel theories about the date of the writing of the book of joel vary from the ninth century b. The book of joel is a prophecy divided into three chapters. Top 5 commentaries on the book of joel ligonier ministries. Most modern interpreters, however, see joel speaking of a literal locust plague given a prophetic apocalyptic interpretation. Book of joel overview insight for living ministries. The prophet begins by describing an event so singularly extreme that it has never happened before, one that demands to be related to succeeding generations, as it will never occur again. Joel reflects on the day of the lord and how true repentance will bring.
Joel 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The desolations made by hosts of noxious insects is described, joel 1. This summary of the book of joel provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the. Advertisement for his book the jewish question here is the book the jewish question john gill commentary on joel. Does not always interpret the scripture literallyand sometimes replaces israel with the church note. Joel and acts say that wonders will occur in the sky, the sun will darken, the moon will turn red. Aug 19, 2017 the book of prophet joel goes on to state.
This invasion of locusts destroys everythingthe fields of grain, the vineyards, the. All of this points to a date of approximately 835 bc or soon after, making joel one of the earliest writing prophets, as well as a contemporary of the prophet elisha. This invasion of locusts destroys everythingthe fields of grain, the vineyards, the gardens and the trees. The genre of joel is narrative and prophetic oracle. Chapter 2 moves forward however to the end of the age where the day of the lord plays out, leading to the return of jesus christ and the judgment of the nations. What does it mean that god will pour out his spirit on all people joel 2. Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood joel 2. Understanding the structure of book the animated book of joel said the of hadith from the depths of despair to interpretation and structure in joel.
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