Who Was Joel In The Bible?
Joel was one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. He was not the son of any of the other prophets, but is believed to have lived between 900-830 BC. As a young man, he wrote the book of Joel in which he called the Israelites to repentance, warning of impending judgment unless they changed their ways.
In the very first verse of the book, Joel plainly states his message: “The word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel. Hear this, you elders; give ear all inhabitants of the land!” This address to the elders was done in the spirit of a warning, as the prophet predicted coming judgment. He specifically notes that God’s anger was directed at the people’s sin, so their repentance would have been their only recourse for avoiding disaster.
The letters of Joel have faith-filled messages about the nature of God, the expectation of judgment and repentance and the assurance of restoration and blessing for those who remain faithful. Joel paints a vivid and powerful picture of coming judgment but also of God’s enduring mercy. He places emphasis on the importance of prayer and reminds the people of their power to turn from their sins and be restored. His words emphasize the need to act with fidelity and to trust in God’s power.
Joel’s warnings were in large part directed toward the people’s spiritual state, and yet the practicality of his words were not lost on the people. They were encouraged to remember their source of strength and reminded of their vulnerabilities. There is no doubt that the people’s faith was encouraged and strengthened through Joel’s words.
The Message of Joel
The book of Joel was composed as a message to a people in danger of becoming spiritually apathetic and turning towards idolatry. Joel warned that their spiritual and moral decay would conduct them to their corruption, and in doing so, move them further away from the LORD. He emphasizes that God’s anger is rightly directed at their evil actions and that judgement will come on them if they do not repent.
The prophets of Joel’s time indicated that the judgement of the LORD would be greater even than the plagues that accompanied it. In this way, Joel warned the people that their failure to respond to the Lords call for repentance and spiritual renewal would ultimately lead to their destruction. As part of this judgement, Joel called on God to destroy the false gods that the Israelites were beginning to worship.
Yet, despite this severe warning of judgement, Joel also emphasizes the power of God’s mercy and His ability to redeem his people from even their greatest sins. He speaks of the Lord’s capacity to satisfy even the desperate hunger of a broken and dry land, and to cheerfully restore what has been lost. Joel affirms that the Lord is full of tenderness and compassion for His people and invites them to turn to Him with repentance and faith.
The Significance of Joel
The book of Joel is an incredibly significant book as it is widely regarded to be one of the most prophetic of the minor prophets. It contains prophecies that describe an agricultural disaster, predicting a devastating plague of locusts that came to pass around the year 745 BC. Joel also speaks of another phenomenon that would appear centuries later: the day of the Pentecost, or the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Joel’s message has stood the test of time, giving strong warnings about the dangers of sin and apathy and of turning away from God. His words about the power of faith and love for God to bring about restoration also remain relevant today. His book is a reminder of the need for regular humility and repentance as believers seek to remain faithful and walk in the light the Lord has provided for them.
Joel’s Emphasis on Obedience and Faithfulness
Joel alerts the people of his time of the hazards of their tendency toward unfaithfulness and disobedience to the Lord. He reminds them that their sin has alienated them from God and that they will only be able to receive the blessings of God and hence escape the consequences of their wrongdoing with true repentance and obedience to His Word. In order to bring this about, Joel calls on the people to return to the Lord.
He admonishes the Israelites to bring a sacrifice of praises unto the Lord and to offer a sincere prayer for God’s mercy and help. In doing so, they may gain a fresh start and renew their relationship with the Lord. By persistently calling his people to remain faithful, Joel encourages each of us to embrace the good news and remain in fellowship with the Lord all of our days.
The Role of Joel in the Prophetic Line
The book of Joel was significant in that it provided further evidence of the continuously unfolding prophecy about the coming of the messiah. The themes of judgement, repentance, mercy and restoration outline the roles that the messiah, Jesus, would fulfill. While Joel emphasizes that the only way to be released from judgement and restored to the Lord is through repentance and faith, he points his people forward to a time when a savior will be sent to take away their sins and to restore their fellowship with God.
Through his words, Joel effectively bridges the gap between the time before the arrival of the Messiah and the Messiah’s coming. His words set the stage for the great event and enabled the people to receive the good news with a spirit of anticipation and hope rather than one of fear and apprehension.
Joel’s Prophecy of the Return of the Lord’s Spirit
One of the most startling of Joel’s predictions is his prophecy of the return of the Lord’s spirit in the last days. As the book of Acts records, this prophecy eventually came to pass on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. This landmark event was one of the first signs that the long-expected messiah had come and with Him, salvation and restoration were available to all who sought Him.
While the importance of obedience and faith persisted, Joel’s prophecies did not predict that God’s spirit would only be sent to individuals who were perfectly obedient. On the contrary, they indicate that God’s grace and mercy are capable of reaching even the most desperate of sinners. Through this message, Joel spoke directly to a people who had grown lax in their faith and was able to call them to a repentant disposition even in the midst of their disobedience.
Joel’s Importance for the Early Church
The book of Joel played a vital role in the life of the early church. It was often quoted in Acts and by a number of the early church fathers, including Origen and Chrysostom. Even today, Joel’s words are often cited in sermons as they offer timely reminders of the power of repentance and faith in times of temptation and tribulation.
The book of Joel is particularly important in the New Testament as it has a direct connection to the Lord’s promise in Joel 2:28, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” This clear statement of the coming of the Spirit has helped the church understand the significance of the Lord’s coming and the power of the Spirit to move among the faithful believers even today.
Conclusion
For centuries after his book’s original writing, the message of Joel has been profound in its influence and impact. As the people of God, we are called to heed the words of Joel as well as the other prophets and to remember that our commitment and obedience to the Lord will lead to His blessings. By studying the book of Joel, we can gain insight into the judgment and mercy of God, His love for His people, and the power of the prophets to call God’s people to faithfulness and repentance.
