Joel Chapter 1
The book of Joel is one of the earliest of the written prophesies. The nation of Israel was already divided, Joel’s prophecy seems to be largely directed to Judah, the southern kingdom. Various authorities date the book of Joel somewhere in the vicinity of 800 B.C. This would place Joel near the same time span as king Uzziah and II Chronicles 26. Throughout this time, neither the Assyrian captivity nor the Babylonian captivity had yet taken place. The book begins with the subject of Gods judgement. The prophet, through the Holy Spirit, observes the current events and develops them into far reaching prophecies of end-time events. The phrase “the day of the LORD” is used five times in the book and looks forward to that time when God deals with Israel and the world in judgement. The “day of the LORD” is that time beginning with the Tribulation and looking forward on to the return of the Messiah and the setting up His kingdom. Joel foresees the invasion of Israel in the future by the beast (Joel 2:1-10); the Lord’s return and the destruction of the antichrist (Joel 2:11); the repentance of Israel (Joel 2:12-17); the pouring out of the Spirit in the last days upon Israel (Joel 2:28-29); the return of the Lord in glory to set up His kingdom (Joel 3:1-16); and the blessings of the kingdom (Joel 3:17-21).
David Parham
8/31/20242 min read
Joel Chapter 1
Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies
Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net
e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies2.net
Memory verses for this week: 2 Pet 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
Introduction: We begin a new study in the book of Joel this week.
The book of Joel is one of the earliest of the written prophesies. The nation of Israel was already divided, Joel’s prophecy seems to be largely directed to Judah, the southern kingdom. Various authorities date the book of Joel somewhere in the vicinity of 800 B.C. This would place Joel near the same time span as king Uzziah and II Chronicles 26.
Throughout this time, neither the Assyrian captivity nor the Babylonian captivity had yet taken place. The book begins with the subject of Gods judgement. The prophet, through the Holy Spirit, observes the current events and develops them into far reaching prophecies of end-time events.
The phrase “the day of the LORD” is used five times in the book and looks forward to that time when God deals with Israel and the world in judgement. The “day of the LORD” is that time beginning with the Tribulation and looking forward on to the return of the Messiah and the setting up His kingdom.
Joel foresees the invasion of Israel in the future by the beast (Joel 2:1-10); the Lord’s return and the destruction of the antichrist (Joel 2:11); the repentance of Israel (Joel 2:12-17); the pouring out of the Spirit in the last days upon Israel (Joel 2:28-29); the return of the Lord in glory to set up His kingdom (Joel 3:1-16); and the blessings of the kingdom (Joel 3:17-21).
I. God's Warning of Desolation
Joel 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
Joe 1:2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
Joe 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
Joel begins with a clear warning of desolation of the land by plagues of insects. Whether this plague is in progress or soon to come is not clear. In any event, Joel does make it clear. This plague is a precursor of God’s impending judgement against the land of Israel. In chapter two, the insects spoken of are clearly more than natural bugs. They are brought on due to the continued rebellion of Gods people.
Verse 1 one says that the word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. The chapter begins with clear indication of its ultimate source—“The word of the LORD.” The message of Joel clearly came from God. Even the name Joel literally means ‘Jehovah is God.’
Little else is known of him other than he is described as being the son of Pethuel. Joel begins his prophecy by appealing to the elders of the land. The word translated as the land (Urah haerets) is the basic Hebrew word used to described the land of Israel to this hour. It refers to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joel appeals to the elders of the land, asking them if they had witnessed in their long years what was taking place in the land of Israel in that day.