Joel - An Introduction

Joel

An Introduction

 

Hear This (1:1-12)

The name “Joel” is generally understood to be a contraction meaning “Jehovah is God” (yō’ēl : Yahweh + El). Besides the name of his father, that is the only personal information the prophet gives us (1:1). And while many of the prophets provide us with reference points by which we may date their ministry (Amos 1:1; Micah 1:1) like Obadiah, Joel does not (Obadiah 1:1). However, we may infer from his message that he lived and ministered in post-exilic Jerusalem (1:9, 13; etc.).

As is the way of prophecy, Joel spoke to those in his immediate audience with the word of God concerning immediate events, but he saw at work in those events the timeless plan of God. But what those events might have been is not entirely clear, as Joel speaks variously of an unprecedented plague of locusts (1:2-4) an invading army (1:6 – probably a figurative description of the locusts) and a severe drought (1:10-12).

Declare a Holy Fast (1:13-20)

When we gather together, we often think of the words of David:

I was glad when they said unto me,

Let us go into the house of the LORD

(Psalms 122:1 KJV)

But if we found ourselves in the assembly that Joel called for, we would find it completely alien (1:13-14). Not only did Joel call for a fast – a discipline which is almost completely gone from our modern evangelical religion – but he called the people to put on sackcloth. The dress code in the contemporary worship has loosened dramatically, but we would be taken aback by such attire. Finally, Joel calls the people to wail and mourn in the presence of God. Surely the object of our Sunday worship is to feel better about ourselves, not to abase ourselves!

But Joel tells us that this manner of worship is completely natural; even the wild animals know enough to pant after their salvation (1:18-20). Like the wild animals, we may experience loss and turmoil that is beyond our understanding. Paul tells us that what words cannot express, the Spirit will express for us, and our prayers will be heard, even if they are nothing more than the panting and moaning (Romans 8:24-28).

Who Can Endure It? (2:1-11)

Having called the people into a sacred assembly, we might expect the prophet of the Lord to offer words of encouragement. Instead, Joel introduces a terrible thought: the Day of the Lord is coming! (2:1-3). If our hearts were pure and our bodies strong, this might be a comforting thought, but as we are the way we are, who among us can endure that day? (2:11; Ezekiel 22:14; Malachi 3:2).

So, Joel says, we must always wonder: is this the day? How can we know? Joel gives us one of the signs: the sun, moon, and stars will be dark (2:10). This is an allusion to the words of Isaiah which were quoted by our Lord in reference to “that day” (Isaiah 13:9-11; Matthew 24:29-33).

But the Ecclesiast also speaks of the darkening of the heavenly bodies in reference to a day that is always near (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2, 6-7). As we come before God, we come with fear and hope before the one who holds our very lives in his hands.

Rend Your Heart (2:12-17)

The sackcloth and ashes that Joel called for were to be an outward sign of an inward condition, just as it was common to tear one’s clothing as an outward sign of inward despair. The Lord has always rejected these outward signs where they do not reflect an inward attitude (2:12-13; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Hosea 6:6).

The Psalmist speaks of those whose gods are made by the hands of men. These gods may seem powerful, but they are not, and those who trust in them will be as helpless as their gods (Psalm 115:2-8). The words of Joel remind us that our God is not like that. If we will come together and call on his name, he will hear our prayer (2:12-13). This is both a comfort and a challenge. Why should the people say “Where is our God?” If the people who know God do not call on his name, how will those who do not know him?

This is our faith – both what we know and our way of knowing it – when we turn to God he answers us. Nothing else, no one else, can stand the test of faith, because only God is God (2:27; Isaiah 45:20-22; John 14:1-6).

The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord (2:28-3:31)

After this, after the Lord has delivered us from whatever crisis we face or imagine, the Day of the Lord is yet to come. Some of our familiar images of that day are from Joel. For example, we know from Joel that it will be a day when there will no longer be any separation, and the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out equally on men and women, young and old. This is a unity we are promised in Christ (2:28-29; Galatians 3:26-28).

Joel also gives us the image of the moon that has turned to blood, an image that is repeated in Revelation (2:31; Revelation 6:12-16). But when it comes to plows and pruning hooks, the image in Joel is the opposite of what we expect (3:9-10; Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-5). Can we have it both ways?

Joel wants us to remember that the Day of the Lord is both great and dreadful. On that day, on every day, the Lord alone is our refuge (3:16; Nahum 1:6-7; Psalm 18:2,6).