THE MINOR PROPHETS

- Joel –

Note: Joel’s teaching-method involves using a recent locust plague

          in Judah to illustrate the coming ‘Day of the Lord’ (judgment)

“WHEN was Joel Written?”

- no references in the book, but scholarship places Joel’s ministry in the

   historical context of Ahaziah, Athaliah, & Joash  (841-796 B.C.)

- Biblical Setting = 2 Kings 12:1-21, 2 Chronicles 23:1-27

“WHY did Joel Speak?”

- to warn the people of Judah of the ‘Day of the Lord’, and call them

  to repentance   Joel 2:12-17

- to reveal God’s desire to give salvation and bless those who trust in  

  Him  Joel 2:18-32, 3:18-21

- Key Words = ‘Day of the Lord’  …in Retrospect and in Prospect

- Key Thought:  Joel 2:12 – “It’s still not too late!” (paraphrase)

Overview of Joel

A. Looking Back on a Day of Calamity   Joel 1:1-20

- Reality of Locusts 2-4, Drought 10-12, Fire 19-20

- Reality of Judah’s Indifference and Insensitivity  5- drunken stupor

- Reality of “Wake Up!” call:  wail 5; mourn 8; despair, wail, grieve 11

- Repentance Needed  13-18

- Response of the Prophet Joel  19-20

POINT: A Proper Response to an ‘Act of God’

B. Looking Ahead to a Day that is Coming   Ch. 2-3

1. Vision of an Army Invasion   Joel 2:1-11

2. Call for Repentance _condition of Blessing   Joel 2:12-27

    = blessing spiritually, and to the land  è vs.27

3. Events before the Day of the Lord

  - Pouring out of the Holy Spirit   28-29   cf. Acts 2:16-21

  - signs in the heavens and on earth   30-32   cf. Matt. 24:29

POINT = “Now” it is time   Joel 2:12   _REPENTANCE

  -God is Passionate (Joel 2:18) for Jews & Gentiles (32) cf. Rom 10:12, 13

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4. Events of the Terrible ‘Day of the Lord’   Joel 3:1-21

  - Judgment on the Gentiles   Joel 3:1-16

  - Restoration of Judah   Joel 3:17-21  _blessings of God’s Kingdom

…Summary = vs.1, 2a, 16

“What Does Joel’s Prophecy Teach US?”

A. The ‘Day of the Lord’ IS Coming

= the Main Concern   Joel 1:15; 2:11, 31

- Consistent with other Scriptures: Isa. 2:12, 17-20; 3:7-18; 4:1-2;

   13:6-9; Jer. 46:10; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:7, 14;

   Malachi 4:5; 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Thes.5:2

- Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) as a fulfilment of Joel 12:28-32

   affirms that God’s promise can be trusted

- 2 Thes.2:2 & 2 Pet.3:3-10 tells us that this Day was still seen

   as future in the New Testament

B. God is Sovereign

- over nature and nations _controls the course of history Joel 3:17

- 2 Peter 3:8, 9 = sovereign timing for a reason

- our need for sensitivity to events in our lives _“God speaking?”

- God is intentional, passionate (Joel 2:18), focused (Joel 2:27)

C. Prepare for the ‘Day of the Lord’

- Turn to the Lord NOW  Joel 2:12-14a, 32

- Walk with the Lord NOW   2 Peter 3:11-14

…value of the Lord’s Warning, Patience, Gift of Repentance

    (Rom.2:4; 2 Tim.2:25)

- the TIME is NOW   Hosea 10:12; 2 Cor. 6:2; 7:10