What is the book of Joel?
Joel is a book of Israel’s prophets. It’s a collection of messages from God that Joel spoke.
Most of the messages were about the people and priests of the southern kingdom.
It isn’t known what town Joel was from or when he spoke these messages.
The messages are about a plague of locusts in the land of Judah. They are about times of judgement and times of blessing. They are also about events that haven’t happened yet.
The messages were written down as poems.
It’s thought that Joel wrote down these messages.
New Testament writers understood that some of Joel’s prophecies were fulfilled during Pentecost. That Pentecost was when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his followers.
Who was this book written for?
For the people of the southern kingdom of Judah.
Why was Joel written?
To mourn a plague of locusts that destroyed all the crops.
To urge God’s people to turn back to God and to repent of their sin.
To show God’s desire to bless all people who serve him.
Main ideas
God brings judgement against his people and against all people groups for their sin.
God longs for all people to turn away from sin. He longs for them to be completely committed to him.
The day of the Lord is a time of judgement for some. It’s a time of blessing for others.
Outline
The plague of locusts as the day of the Lord (1).
The army of locusts as the day of the Lord (2:1–27).
God’s judgement against the nations as the day of the Lord (2:28 – 3:21).