Joel (overview)

Joel (an overview)

• Joel is a series of sermons.
• Probably written late in Old Testament history. After the exile and return from Babylon, since He quotes Isaiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Ezekiel and Malachi. He probably ministered during the time of Nehemiah.
• Interesting, he never tells the people to repent of any specific sin. This may be because as a late writer, the other preachers have already exposed sin. He doesn’t need to tell them what their sins are, but warn them to turn back to the Lord.

Theme:

Chapter 1-2: Day of the Lord.

I. Chapter 1: Past locust plague.

Joel 1 address 4 people:

• The (Joel 1:5)
• The (Joel 1:8)
• The (Joel 1:9-10)
• The Farmer. (Joel 1:11-12)

II. Chapter 2:

• The locusts in chapter 2 describe an army.
• The call to “blow the trumpet” is a warning that war is coming.
• Joel 2:10-11 make it clear that the one leading the enemy army is the Lord.

Joel Describes how to escape the coming disaster: God wants authentic repentance. (Joel 2:12)

God’s response. (Joel 2:13-25)

• God is gracious. (Joel 2:13)
• God’s response: (Joel 2:18)
• God will “repay” you for the years the locusts have eaten. (Joel 2:25)

III. Chapter 3: A picture of

1. One day God’s spirit will fill (2:28-32)

2. One day God will (3:1-16)

3. One day God will (3:17-21) God will flow down.

III. Joel in Our World:

• Joel stands as
• Joel prophesied the coming (Joel 2:28-32) Fulfilled in Acts 2.
• Joel points to a coming

Prophetic elements of Joel:

• prophecy has only a future application.
• prophecy has a “now” and “Later” fulfillment. Such as Jesus’ prophecy at the Olivet discourse in Matthew 24.
• prophecy. The prophecy is fulfilled many times in history. (Revelation is probably best understood as Ascending prophecy.)

Joel’s Ascending Prophecy

• Immediately this is talking about Babylon.
• The cycle is repeated through history. (Greeks, Romans, etc)
• Ultimately the prophecy ascending to the final events of the world.

• Joel 3:12 corresponds to Revelation 16:16. There is no “valley of Jehoshaphat.” It is symbolic of the valley of destruction, i.e., Armageddon.
• Joel 3:9-13 corresponds to Revelation 14:17-20. (Gathering and crushing grapes. This is the gathering of the wicked and “grapes” symbolic of the blood of the wicked.)
• Joel 3:15 compares to Revelation 16, the Coming of Christ.
• Joel 3:18 describes a kingdom of plenty. The end time rulership of Christ and probably a picture of the New Earth, not just Israel.

Application:

Group Questions:

1. What did you learn tonight that was new or excited you?

2. Though Joel is a book of judgment, there are many calls to repent. Look at Joel 2:12-13.

–How does God want us to come to him?

–Why does God call for “fasting”? (Joel 2:12)

–What does it mean to come with “all” your heart?

–Today we don’t “rend” garments. What would be a way of saying Joel 2:13 to our culture? (Rend your heart not your garments)

3. Do you have any “lost” years? Years given to the flesh? How has God restored the lost years?

4. Look at Joel 2:18, what are some ways that God responds to humans when we repent of sin?

5. Joel 2:28-32 describe the coming of the Holy Spirit.

–How does the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life right now make a difference for you?

–Have you ever felt personally lead by the Holy Spirit?

–Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit clearly warn you about something?

–Have you ever sensed the empowering of the Holy Spirit?

6. Peter quoted Joel 2:17, which says it will take place in the “last” days.

–How has God been preparing the World for His Second coming?

My thoughts:

(By giving his holy Spirit)

(By offering Salvation)

(By giving the world the church to preach the Gospel)

(By bringing judgment on nations as a sign of his final judgment on all nations)

7. What aspects of Christ Second coming excite you?

–Do you believe Jesus will come again physically?

–Do you expect to personally see the Coming of Christ?

–How can the Coming of the Lord be both dreadful and redemptive?

8. Scan through the book of Joel. Make a list of promises you see in this little book:

–The promise that God will forgive sin.

–The promise of the Holy Spirit.

–The promise of a day of judgment.

–The promise to restore Israel.

–The promise to redeem lost years.