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JOEL – LESSON TWO

INTRODUCTION:

1. Information concerning the author of this prophecy is limited.

a “Joel” – means “Jehovah is God.”

b. “Pethuel” – means “vision of Jehovah” or “the openheartedness or sincerity of God.”

2. The time span for the writing of this prophecy is broad: 900 B.C. – 400 B.C.

a. 835-830 B.C. when Jehoash (Joash), the ninth King of Judah, begins reign at the age of seven and is guided by                      the rule and godly influence of Jehoiada the Priest (2 Kings 11-12; 2 Chron. 22:1- -24:27).

(1.) When Jehoida died, King Jehoash departed from the ways of God  due to evil influences (2 Chron. 24:15-19).

(2). As a prophet during this time of Judah, Joel would have been  contemporary with Elisha in Israel.

b. Why the early date and not post-exilic (after 70- year- captivity in Babylon)…

(1.) The enemies  of Israel at the time of the prophetic writing are the Phoenicians, Philistines, Egyptians and Edomites –  while Assyria (760-722 B.C.) and Babylon (606 – 536 B.C.) are not mentioned.

I. THE OCASSION FOR THE WRITING OF THE BOOK:

A. Joel uses a recent memorable locust plague as an object lesson .

1. Fearful experience because of immediate and long- lasting destruction and devastation (Joel 1:2-4; 1:15-20;

2:4-11)

a. “Plague” for the locust destruction encompasses surrounding countries.

b. Plague can last for  7 – 14 years.

B. Joel warns those with the locust plague in mind that a coming judgment of God will come that makes the locust plague pale in comparison – plea for genuine “repentance” (Joel 2:12-17).

II. “THE DAY OF JEHOVAH” IS AN IMPORTANT FOCUS OF THE BOOK

A. A day of destruction is coming from Almighty God  (1:15).

B. A day when Inhabitants of the land – Judah- should tremble (2:1).

C. A terrible day of destruction -  but God is also proclaiming a day of salvation (2:31).

D. A judgment that is coming upon the enemies of God’s people – Mt. Zion a place of refuge (3:14).

III. PROPHECTIC LOOK AT PENTECOST (Joel 2:28-32)

A. The Pouring out of God’s Spirit points to the Spirit’s power coming upon the apostles in Acts 2 (2:28; Acts 2:14-21).

1. Spirit ushers in blessing of salvation upon all flesh (Acts 2,38-41, 47; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:14-18).

2. Spirit’s miraculous power will come upon all flesh ( 2:28, Acts 21:9, I Cor. 11:5).

B. Judgment is coming – time for salvation in Christ (2:31-32, Acts 2:20-21).

 

IV. MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BOOK (edited from  full outline by Alvin O. Collins; Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p.909-910)

A. The Day of the Lord Calls for God’s People to Respond (1:1-2:17.)

B. God Will Respond to His People’s Mourning and Repentance (2:18-27).

C. God is Preparing A Great Day of Salvation (2:28-3:21).

V. DISCUSSION:

1. Does the reference to the “locust plague” refer to:

a.  the various stages of development in the locust

b. or, the devastation as the locusts come in waves.

2. How “memorable” was this locust destruction:

a.  as a reference to the past?

b. as a reference to the future?

3. How should the people of the land react to the locusts?

4. How were the priests to react in their mourning?

5. Knowing “the day of Jehovah” is at hand should cause those aware to do what?

6. What army is discussed in Joel 2:4-9?

7. Joel 2:10 reads similarly to two other Bible passages?

a. To what are these two other passages referring?

 b. How should we interpret the “day of the Lord?” (cf. Joel 2:11)

8. How can we view “godly sorrow worketh repentance that brings no regret” (2 Cor. 7:10) in the light of Joel 2:13?

9. Identify in Joel 2:20

a. “northern army”:

b. “eastern sea”

 c. “western sea”

10. In Joel 2:21-26, God will replace fear and shame with ________________ and _____________________.  

11. What relates to the “valley of Jehoshaphat”?

12. Why are Tyre and Sidon mentioned in Joel 3:4?

13. To whom is the stirring exhortation (Joel 3:10) directed regarding plowshares and swords?  For what purpose?

14. When will the Lord “dwell in Zion?”