:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/BookofJoel-743694041-588ab8d6a01c497190fa2c721a48cad8.jpg)
......................................................................................................................................
The Book of Joel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Joel_-Michelangelo--56a14a1c5f9b58b7d0bddce8.jpg)
Introduction to the Book of Joel
A Day of
Judgment Is Coming
by Jack Zavada
The theme running through the
book of Joel is, "The day of the Lord is coming!"
The prophet Joel echoed a warning
of approaching judgment when God would
punish the wicked and reward the faithful.
Book of Joel
· One of the 12
minor prophets, Joel penned most of his 73-verse book in the form of a poem.
· Joel means "Yahweh
is God."
· Locusts are similar to grasshoppers and can congregate in
swarms of millions of insects, stripping bare crops, trees, and grass in their
path. Both in ancient times and today, there was no way to stop them when they
hit.
· Bible scholars
are divided over the meaning of the locusts in Joel. Some consider them
symbolic of an approaching army while others think they were an actual plague
of insects.
· Joel mentions
a blood moon (Joel 2:31), the subject of recent books predicting upcoming judgment, also
mentioned in Acts 2:20 as an omen of the day of the Lord.
Background
The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel,
is the author of the book of Joel. The book was written from Jerusalem between
BC 835 - 796 to the people of Israel and to all later readers of the Bible.
Summary
The book of Joel opens with the
telling of an impending locust swarm and its consequences.
By the millions ravenous locusts
will swoop over Israel, gorging themselves on every plant in sight.
Joel describes them destroying
wheat and barley crops, stripping trees down to their bark, ruining grape vines
so no wine offerings could be made to the Lord. The once lush countryside
quickly becomes a wasteland.
Joel calls the people to repent of
their sin and
begs them to put on sackcloth and ashes. He foretells of a mighty army, driving
down from the north on the day of the Lord. Defenses fail against them. Like
the locusts, they devastate the land.
"Return to
the LORD your God," Joel cried, "for
he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he
relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:13, NIV)
God promised to restore Israel,
once again turning it into a land of plenty. He said he would pour out
his Spirit upon
the people. In those days the Lord will judge the nations, Joel said, and he
will dwell among his people.
According to the apostle Peter,
this prophecy of Joel was fulfilled 800 years later at Pentecost,
following the sacrificial
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-24).
Joel's prophecy also contained a
foreshadowing of a far greater future day of the Lord: God’s final judgment on
sin in the Great Tribulation.
Looking still farther into the
future, he also saw the blessings of the Millennium.
Themes in the Book of Joel
God is just, punishing sin.
However, God is also merciful, offering forgiveness to
those who repent.
The day of the Lord, a term used
by other prophets, figures prominently in Joel. While the godless have much to
fear when the Lord comes, believers can rejoice because their sins have been
forgiven.
God's call is not just to return
to him, but to return with all your heart. Complete commitment is God's avenue
to blessing.
The book of Joel reminds readers
to be mindful of both the past and future judgments of the Lord and encourages
them to seek God’s presence always and live to please
him.
Key Verses
Joel 1:15
“For the day of
the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.” (NIV)
Joel 2:28
“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." (NIV)
Joel 3:16
“The LORD will
roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble.
But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of
Israel.” (NIV)
Outline of the Book of Joel
· Joel 1:1-20: Locusts invade Israel, signaling the coming day of
the Lord.
· Joel 2:1-17: A foreign army thunders in to deliver God's
punishment.
· Joel 2:18-32: Ever merciful, God restores Israel.
· Joel 3:1-21: God judges the nations then dwells among his people.
Jack Zavada
Introduction
Former newspaper reporter,
technical editor for the U.S. Department of Defense, and public relations
director.
Author of Hope for
Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.
Owner of Christian
website inspiration-for-singles.com.
Experience
Jack is a freelance writer who
concentrates on Christian topics. During his 45 year career, he has written
thousands of newspaper and magazine articles covering areas from sports and
business to the Bible and theology. His Christian website for singles, founded
in 2005, receives thousands of visitors every month from over 150 countries.
Jack worked as a newspaper
reporter and Associated Press wire editor, then served as a technical editor at
the United States Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL),
operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. He also worked as publications editor
for an Illinois utility company and as communications director for a national
nonprofit organization. He has written about Christianity for the
Dotdash/About.com network since 2008.
Education
Jack earned his master's
degree in English Composition at Illinois State University in 1982. He
concentrated on teaching writing in the community college and served an
internship teaching technical writing. He also received a B.Sc. in English
Literature from ISU in 1973.
Publications
Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming
Life's Challenges, (2017, Pine Cone Press).
Single and Sure, (2008, ebook).
How to Master Your Money, (2009, ebook).
Outsmarting Loneliness, (2010, ebook).
Mr. Lincoln for the Defense,
(2011, ebook).
Killers on my Trail, (2012,
ebook).
The Jesus Comic Book, writer and illustrator,
(2016, ebook).
Rebel Town, (1976, Ace Books).
The Wolfer, (1978, Ace Books).
Penwhistle's Prize,
(1980, Ace Books)
West of the Pecos, pen name
James Calder Boone, (1988, Ballantine Books).
No comments:
Post a Comment