Bible Class Notes on Joel Chapter One

Bible Class Notes on Joel Chapter One

Introduction

The prophet himself. The name Joel means “Yahweh is salvation.” The prophet’s father was Pethuel, a name which does not occur elsewhere in the Bible. Joel lived and prophesied in Judah. Basically, the only thing we know about Joel is that God called him to prophesy and that he spoke God’s Word.

Occasion—The occasion for Joel is a devastating locust plague which had occurred in Judah.

Date—Although Joel was probably written about 800 BCE, we don’t know the date.

The Locust Plague, vv 1-4

Joel begins his book by claiming divine inspiration.

All needed to hear Joel’s message, vv 2-3.

The plague was so severe that all—from the eldest to the youngest—needed to hear Joel’s message. A plague like this had never occurred in Judah. Those who heard Joel’s message and saw the plague of locusts needed to pass on the message to future generations.

The devastation was complete, v 4.

To show the utter devastation involved in the locust plague Joel uses four different words for “locust.” The idea is not that there were four different kinds of locust but that the locusts destroyed everything.

Plea for Lamentation, vv 5-20

Starting here, chapter one consists of a series of pleas for certain groups to lament and mourn because of the destruction.

Plea to wine drinkers, vv 5-7

The term “awake” means something like “sober up.” This is a plea for those who abuse alcohol to become sober.

These wine drinkers are encouraged to “awake,” “weep,” and “wail.” Thee verbs are all in the imperative mood. These verbs are, therefore, commands.

The drunkards were to lament because sweet wine had been cut off from their mouths.

Prophets often condemned the abuse of alcohol. Hosea 4:11. Amos 6:6.

A nation has come up against Judah. The locusts were so many and so powerful that they were described as a “nation.” The locusts are so powerful that they are depicted as having “lions’ teeth”—Pliny reported that locusts could even gnaw through doors. The trees were made white.

Plea for the nation, vv 8-10

The nation is told to lament like a virgin who has lost her bridegroom. This, of course, would be serious grief. A great calamity had come against Judah, and the people needed to mourn.

The cereal and drink offerings have ceased. Due to the agricultural devastation, there is nothing left to offer God. Both cereal and drink offerings were offered in connection with the daily burnt sacrifices. Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8. Numbers 23:37 (also on special feast days). These daily offerings which symbolized one’s walk with God and ceased. The priests mourned because of this.

The fields were destroyed. The crops had failed—famine and economic disaster obviously loomed in the future. Grain, wine, and oil were chief products in Israel and were considered blessings from God. Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13.

Plea for the vinedressers, vv 11-12

Joel now turns his attention toward those who were most closely affected by this devastation—the vinedressers.

They were to be confounded and wail. What Joel calls for is an intense disappointment which is revealed through a terrified look and a cry of despair. Amos 5:16-17.

Their harvest had failed.

Trees failed. The vine and fig often symbolized the blessings God had given (Jer 2:21; Mic 4:4). God’s blessings had been removed from this people. Pomegranate, the palm, and apple (or apricot—depending on the exact meaning of the Hebrew) trees were important to the economy.

There was no cause for gladness.

Plea for the priests, v 13

They should put on mourning garments. They should do so because the offerings for God are withheld.

Plea for the nation to mourn, vv 14-18

Joel calls for the priests to organize national mourning. The people are to fast. National fasting took place at major events. Nehemiah 9:1-3. Jeremiah 36:9. The locust plague was a major national event which called for drastic action.

They are to gather the nation together in a religious assembly. The purpose of this assembly would be to cry to the LORD. The national disaster of the locusts could only be turned away through penitence.

The “day of the LORD” had come near. Many want to claim the “day of the LORD” refers to the end of time. However, Joel says that the “day of the LORD” is near, not in the distant future.

In the Old Testament, the “day of the LORD” refers to judgment from God.

  • Isaiah spoke of the “day of the LORD” as being judgment against Babylon (Is 13:6, 9).
  • Isaiah also called the Sabbath the “day of the LORD” (Is 58:13)
  • Ezekiel spoke of the “day of the LORD” as the day God brought destruction against Israel (Ezek 13:5).
  • Ezekiel spoke of the day Egypt and her allies would fall as the “day of the LORD” (Ezek 30:3).
  • Amos spoke of the “day of the LORD” as the day God would bring judgment against Israel (Amos 5:18).
  • Obadiah spoke of the “day of the LORD” as the day God would punish Edom (Ob 1:15).
  • Zephaniah spoke of the “day of the LORD” as the day God would bring punishment against Judah (Zeph 1:7, 14).
  • Malachi spoke of the coming of the Messiah, Pentecost, or the Christian era as “the day of the LORD” (Mal 4:5).
  • Joel spoke of Pentecost as being “the day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31).
  • Joel also spoke of judgment against Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia as “the day of the LORD” (Joel 3:14).
  • Here, “the day of the LORD” seems to refer to judgment against Judah (as it does in Joel 2:1, 11).
  • However, in the New Testament, “the day of the LORD” does seem to refer to the final judgment (1 Cor 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Thess 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10).

The day of the LORD comes as destruction.

The people needed to mourn because the destruction is total. Agriculture has failed. Food is cut off from the people—they have nothing to eat. Joy and gladness are not in the house of God—there isn’t anything to offer God (v 13). Seeds fail, granaries and barns are empty.

Livestock have nothing to eat. They are, therefore, perplexed. They don’t understand. The sheep are dazed.

Joel provides examples for the nation to follow vv 19-20

He presents himself as an example. He cries out to the LORD because of the utter devastation. Fire has devoured the pasture. Flame has devoured the pasture. Flame has burned up all the trees of the field; not one tree is left.

The beasts cry to God because they, too, are suffering. They have nothing to drink. They have nothing to eat.

Questions for Reflection on Joel 1

  1. Read Joel through three times.
  2. Joel begins his book y telling the people of Judah to tell their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren about the locust plague. What are some spiritual experiences you have had that you want your children and grandchildren to know?
  3. Joel condemned the drunkards. How does alcohol affect one’s judgment?
  4. Joel discusses the utter devastation the locusts brought to Judah. What would be the effects of such a plague today?
  5. Joel calls for the entire nation to cry to the LORD on account of their sin and the plague. What are some reasons this nation needs to cry out to the LORD?

This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Owingsville church of Christ in Owingsville, Kentucky.

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