Introduction:
Joel is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, known for his prophetic book, which bears his name. The Book of Joel is a profound piece of prophetic literature that addresses themes of judgment, repentance, and restoration. Joel's message is timeless, calling God's people to return to Him with sincere hearts.

Authorship and Date:
The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel, is the author of the Book of Joel. Little is known about Joel's personal life, and the book does not provide specific historical markers to date it precisely. Scholars propose various dates ranging from the 9th to the 5th century BC. However, the absence of direct references to kings or historical events makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact period.

Historical Context:
Joel's prophecy is set against the backdrop of a devastating locust plague that ravaged the land of Judah. This natural disaster serves as a metaphor for the coming "Day of the LORD," a central theme in Joel's message. The locust invasion symbolizes impending divine judgment, urging the people to repent and seek God's mercy.

Structure and Themes:
The Book of Joel is structured into three main sections:

1. The Locust Plague and Call to Repentance (Joel 1:1-2:17):
Joel begins by vividly describing the locust plague's destruction, likening it to an army that leaves the land desolate. He calls the priests, elders, and all inhabitants of the land to mourn and fast, urging them to return to the LORD with all their hearts. Joel 2:12-13 states, "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

2. The Day of the LORD (Joel 2:18-3:21):
Joel transitions from the immediate crisis to the eschatological "Day of the LORD," a time of both judgment and blessing. He prophesies the outpouring of the Spirit upon all people, a promise fulfilled at Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Joel 2:28-29 declares, "And afterward, 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 menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days."

3. Restoration and Blessing (Joel 3:1-21):
The final section of Joel's prophecy focuses on the restoration of Judah and the judgment of the nations. God promises to restore the fortunes of His people and bring justice to the oppressors. Joel 3:16 proclaims, "The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel."

Theological Significance:
Joel's prophecy emphasizes the sovereignty of God over nature and nations. The locust plague serves as a reminder of God's control over creation and His ability to use natural events to draw His people back to Himself. The call to repentance highlights the importance of genuine, heartfelt return to God, underscoring His readiness to forgive and restore.

The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, representing both judgment and hope. Joel's vision of the outpouring of the Spirit foreshadows the New Covenant, where God's presence and power are accessible to all believers.

Legacy and Influence:
Joel's prophecy has had a lasting impact on both Jewish and Christian traditions. His call to repentance and promise of the Spirit's outpouring resonate throughout Scripture, influencing New Testament theology and the early church's understanding of the Holy Spirit's work.

In summary, the Book of Joel is a powerful reminder of God's call to repentance, His sovereignty over all creation, and His promise of restoration and blessing for those who turn to Him.Joel 1:1
The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 2:16
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
... only a general hope of better times, unconnected with any person, rests on the
unfounded hypothesis that Joel is the oldest among all the prophets,"and at ...
/.../christology of the old testament/messianic predictions in the prophets.htm

Joel
... in the earliest of the prophets, the ordinary view of the course of prophecy will
have to be seriously modified. The lack of emphasis displayed by Joel on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joel.htm

Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets.
... Joel. This Commentary also is addressed to Pammachius, ad406. It is in one book.
It gives the order of the Twelve Prophets adopted by the LXX. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/prefaces to the commentaries on.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... If we may assume that one of these prophets borrowed expressions from the other,
the priority will naturally be given to Joel, from whose closing address (3:16 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets
who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Isaiah.
... (2) Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah, prophets
of Judah.2. The exilic prophets, Ezekiel and Daniel.3. The Post-exilic ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xv isaiah.htm

Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the ...
... Paul's Text The Fulness of Time, Announced by the Apostle, Foretold by the Prophets. ...
last days I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh" [5332] as Joel says ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter iv another instance of marcions.htm

Of the Times of the Prophets Whose Oracles are Contained in Books ...
... To these are added Jonah in the reign of Uzziah, and Joel in that of Jotham, who
succeeded Uzziah. But we can find the date of these two prophets in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the times of.htm

Prophets in their Country.
... be exceeding glad, being assured that, because of these things, he has great reward
in heaven from Him who likened him to the prophets on the ... [5285] Joel 2:28. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 prophets in their country.htm

Antichrist in the Minor Prophets
... The Antichrist in the Prophets 5. Antichrist in the Minor Prophets. ... Joel alludes
to him as the head of the "northern army," ie the Assyrian. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/5 antichrist in the minor.htm

What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org

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