Elkhart Life, Mark and Marci JohnsonElkhart Life, Mark and Marci Johnson

Elkhart Life Church

Joel

Crisis - A Call from God

By Pastor Mark Johnson · Elkhart Life Church, Elkhart, Indiana ·

Joel

�** **Bible Study on the Book of Joel

  1. Author Background

Name: Joel (Hebrew: יוֹאֵל, Yo'el – “Yahweh is God”) Father: Pethuel (Joel 1:1) – No further information known. Tribe/Region: Unknown – possibly from Judah based on internal evidence.

Joel was likely a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He appears to be deeply familiar with temple worship, suggesting proximity to Jerusalem. His style and tone suggest he may have been a priest or closely involved with temple duties.

  1. Historical and Political Climate

Date of Writing: Scholars propose two main timeframes:

  1. Early Date (9th Century BC) – during the reign of Joash (2 Kings 11–12), placing Joel as one of the earliest literary prophets.
  2. Late Date (5th–4th Century BC) – after the Babylonian exile, though no mention of exile supports the earlier view.

Internal Clues Favoring Early Date:

  • No mention of Assyria, Babylon, or exile.
  • References to temple worship and the priesthood (Joel 1:9, 13–14; 2:17).
  • Absence of any mention of kings could indicate a time when the king was a minor (e.g., Joash under Jehoiada’s guardianship).

Main Crisis: A devastating locust plague and resulting drought, which Joel sees as a wake-up call from God – a symbolic warning of the coming Day of the Lord.

  1. Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 – A National Emergency

  • Theme: Locust plague as a symbol of judgment.
  • Joel calls the elders and priests to mourn and fast.
  • Key Verse: “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten...” (Joel 1:4)
  • Spiritual Message: A call to national repentance in response to calamity.

Chapter 2 – A Call to Repentance and the Coming Day of the Lord

  • Theme: A deeper prophetic warning – not just literal locusts, but a future army and cosmic upheaval.
  • Urges return to God with weeping, fasting, and rending hearts.
  • Ends with restoration: rains return, crops are restored, and God's Spirit is promised to be poured out.
  • Key Verse: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh...” (Joel 2:28)
  • Spiritual Message: Repentance leads to restoration and spiritual renewal.

Chapter 3 – Judgment on Nations and Vindication of God’s People

  • Theme: The Day of the Lord will also bring judgment on the nations that oppressed Israel.
  • God's justice will be executed in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
  • Ends with the future glory of Zion and divine presence dwelling among His people.
  • Key Verse: “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion... but the LORD will be the hope of his people.” (Joel 3:16)
  • Spiritual Message: God will ultimately judge wickedness and restore His people permanently.
  1. Key Themes
  • Day of the Lord: A central prophetic concept representing both judgment and hope.
  • Call to Repentance: Genuine, heartfelt return to God is the only escape from judgment.
  • Restoration: God’s mercy follows repentance – both physically (land, crops) and spiritually (Spirit outpouring).
  • God’s Sovereignty: He controls nature, armies, and history.
  1. Messianic Prophecies in Joel

Joel 2:28–32 (quoted in Acts 2:16–21)

  • Prophecy: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh...”
  • Fulfillment: Peter cites this at Pentecost (Acts 2), declaring it fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
  • Messianic Significance: Sign of the New Covenant age, the Spirit accessible to all believers – young, old, men, women, slaves.

Joel 3:16–17

  • Prophecy: “The LORD shall roar from Zion... so shall ye know that I am the LORD your God.”
  • Fulfillment Theme: Jesus Christ comes as the righteous judge and king (cf. Revelation 14:14–20).
  • Messianic Significance: The Day of the Lord finds its climax in Christ’s return to judge the nations and reign in Zion.
  1. Outline for Teaching or Discussion

| Section | Topic | Summary | Key Verse | Application | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1:1–20 | Locust Plague | Call to mourn and repent | Joel 1:4 | Respond to crisis with humility before God | | 2:1–27 | Day of the Lord | Warning of judgment, but promise of restoration | Joel 2:13 | Turn to God – He is merciful | | 2:28–32 | Spirit Outpouring | God’s Spirit for all people | Joel 2:28 | Available to all in Christ | | 3:1–21 | Judgment & Restoration | Nations judged, Zion blessed | Joel 3:16 | God defends and blesses His people |

  1. Final Reflection

Joel’s message is timeless:

  • Crisis is not just a natural disaster, but a call from God.
  • True revival begins with repentance.
  • God’s Spirit is for all – young and old, Jew and Gentile.
  • The Day of the Lord is both a warning and a hope – Jesus is coming again.

Watch

Interactive Historical Timeline: Ancient Civilizations by Mark Johnson