The Book of Joel
Joel was a common Old Testament name meaning "The Lord is God." Locust plagues were frequent occurrences in the NearEast for millennia, and Joel envisions one coming on Israel as a judgment from God.
Joel see in the massive locust plague and severe drought devastating Judah a harbinger of the "great and awesome day of the Lord" (2:31). Confronted with this crisis, he calls on everyone to repent. He sees this day as a day of punishment for unfaithful Israel as well as for her neighbors. Restoration and blessing will come only after judgment and repentance.
Joel see in the massive locust plague and severe drought devastating Judah a harbinger of the "great and awesome day of the Lord" (2:31). Confronted with this crisis, he calls on everyone to repent. He sees this day as a day of punishment for unfaithful Israel as well as for her neighbors. Restoration and blessing will come only after judgment and repentance.
Chapter 1, Joel compares the destruction and judgment of God like a plague of locust. This is the warning and penalty
for disobedience and evilness, “For a nation has invaded my land, mighty and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness” (1:6).
Chapter 2-3, God calls His people to repent and return, if not, they will all be judged. The promise and deliverance of the Lord is waiting and He will restore the land, “…Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil” (2:12-13).
for disobedience and evilness, “For a nation has invaded my land, mighty and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness” (1:6).
Chapter 2-3, God calls His people to repent and return, if not, they will all be judged. The promise and deliverance of the Lord is waiting and He will restore the land, “…Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil” (2:12-13).
Foreshadowing of Jesus
Whenever the Old Testament speaks of judgment for sin, whether individual or national sin, the advent of Jesus Christ is foreshadowed. The prophets of the Old Testament continually warned Israel to repent, but even when they did, their repentance was limited to law-keeping and works. Their temple sacrifices were but a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice, offered once for all time, which would come at the cross (Hebrews 10:10). Joel tells us that God’s ultimate judgment, which falls on the Day of the Lord, will be “great and terrible. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11). The answer is that we, on our own, can never endure such a moment. But if we have placed our faith in Christ for atonement of our sins, we have nothing to fear from the Day of Judgment.
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