Introduction to Joel

The book of Joel is concerned with the Day of Yahweh, a coming time when God will judge the world and make all things right. Joel draws on a real-life catastrophe—a swarm of locusts devastating the land of Judah—to warn of the disaster that the Day of Yahweh will bring to those who do not repent. He also promises that God will save the people of Judah and Jerusalem who call on Him (Joel 2:32).

Background

The Bible does not provide any biographical information about the prophet Joel (other than his father’s name, Pethuel; Joel 1:1). Since the book addresses a situation in Judah, Joel probably prophesied in this region rather than in the northern territory of Israel.

The date of Joel is uncertain, but the book could have been written during the period when Judah was an independent kingdom, as early as the late eighth century bc. It also could have been composed after the Babylonian exile, during the fifth century bc, when Judah was a province of the Persian Empire. Based on Joel 1:13 and 2:17, the temple clearly was functioning when the book was written, but this could have been Solomon’s temple (before the exile) or Zerubbabel’s temple (after the exile).

Structure

The first half of the book (Joel 1:1–2:17) focuses on disaster and judgment for Judah, while the second half (Joel 2:18–3:21) focuses on God’s restoration of Judah and judgment of Judah’s enemies. Each half can be divided into two sections.

The first section (Joel 1) describes a plague of locusts that brings about a famine. In response, Joel calls the people to repent in preparation for the Day of Yahweh (Joel 1:13–16). The second section (Joel 2:1–17) warns of judgment on the Day of Yahweh. It portrays an attacking army as if it were a locust invasion; this is the army of Yahweh (Joel 2:11). Again, the section ends with a call to repentance and an affirmation of God’s mercy and love (Joel 2:12–14).

In the book’s latter half, the third section (Joel 2:18–32) describes God restoring the land and bringing blessing—following the judgment and destruction described in the previous sections. God not only will restore the land’s fertility (Joel 2:19–27), but also will pour out his Spirit upon all people (Joel 2:28–29). The fourth section (Joel 3) describes God’s coming judgment on the nations that have been oppressing Judah. It ends with a portrayal of Judah’s future glory, with God dwelling on Mount Zion (Joel 3:17–21).

Outline

• The locust invasion (Joel 1:1–20)

• Judgment on God’s people (Joel 2:1–17)

• Consolation for God’s people (Joel 2:18–32)

• Judgment on the nations (Joel 3:1–21)

Themes

The main theme of Joel is the approaching Day of Yahweh, which initially brings pain for God’s people (the first half of the book) but ultimately leads to their renewal and vindication (the second half). In a locust plague, Joel sees just how frail humanity is and just how chaotic the world really is—emphasizing how desperately we need God. In the plague, Joel also sees a glimpse of what it will be like when Yahweh’s heavenly army invades the world to bring about order and peace: It will be grim before it gets better, because the evil that pervades much of humanity must be removed.

The forthcoming Day of Yahweh is meant to prompt God’s people to change their ways. The locust plague serves as a warning (e.g., Joel 1:14): People should turn to God with their whole hearts now, while there is still opportunity (Joel 2:12–13).

Joel emphasizes that God’s mercy will only extend so far before He returns to make all things right. And on that day, like locusts eat a field, God’s judgment will consume the evil of the world (Joel 1–2; compare 2 Pet 3:10). God will have pity on repentant people and save those who call on His name, which is what all are called to do now (Joel 2:18–19, 32). Joel reminds us that God is present and active in the world, working toward a difficult, but beautiful end—the restoration of peace and justice throughout the world.

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Joel, Book of CLBD

Joel the Prophet CLBD