Difference between revisions of "Joel"

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Joel (יואל) was the second of the twelve minor prophets and the author of the Book of Joel. He was the son of Pethuel. The name Joel was common in Israel and means "the Lord is God". He was probably a contemporary to Amos and Isaiah, and may have been of priestly descent.

The Prophet

Joel was probably a resident in the Kingdom of Judah, as his commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem (1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21).

Historical Context

Scholars debate the date of Joel with three main schools:

• 835-796BC During the time when Joash was too young to govern and Jehoiada did so in his place (2 Kings 11; 2 Chron. 23-24).

• About 775-725BC Roughly contemporary with Hosea and Amos.

• About 500BC Roughly contemporary with Zechariah.

Message

Joel prophecies:

1. A prophecy of a great calamity, consisting of a famine and a plague of locusts (1:1-2:11). He encourages the people to fast and pray. Chapter 1:2-20, describes a terrible scourge, a plague of locusts, with which the Prophet's land had been visited; these pests had so completely devoured the fields that not even the material for the meat- and drink-offerings existed.
2. He then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them that God is ready to forgive (2:12-17), and then he foretells the restoration of the land to its accustomed fruitfulness (18-26).
3. Then follows a Messianic prophecy, quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39). He is also quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans. (Compare Joel 2:32 with Romans 10:13)
4. Finally, the prophet foretells portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God.

External Links

• Jewish Encyclopedia
• Catholic Encyclopedia

References

• Easton's Bible Dictionary 1897