Skip to main content

The Day of the Lord: Why Study the Book of Joel?



For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land— Joel 3:1-2

Introduction

God loves His people and wants to get their attention before it is too late. His method? Natural disasters like locusts and droughts. By turning, indeed, returning to the LORD, they will be restored and blessed.

The Book of Joel introduces us to the ‘Day of the Lord.’ For the unrighteous, it will be calamitous but for the righteous, it will be a great reward. In addition, we learn about the latter day outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the final gathering of rebellious nations to the Valley of Decision, leading to their defeat and the establishment of God’s kingdom.

Hebrew Name of Joel

Yo’el means ‘Yahweh is God.’ The accent mark is on God and His majestic sovereignty.

Author of Joel

It is safely assumed that the author of the Book of Joel is Joel, the son of Pethuel (1:1). Just by the context of his remarks, especially involving Zion and the house of God, he is probably a Judean and Jerusalemite. He also seems to know about priestly things, implying that he may be a priest himself (Jeremiah 28:1,5).

Portrait of Christ in Joel

Jesus Christ has a twin-role: He sends the Holy Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21) and serves as the Judge in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (3:2, 12).

Theme of Joel

‘The Day of the Lord,’ in the past, current events, and the future Messianic kingdom. There will be judgment and also the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The plague of locusts in Joel’s day is a dress rehearsal to the the Day of the Lord, where God intervenes in world affairs, banishes wickedness, and sets up a kingdom where righteousness finds its true home. In addition to locusts, there is also plagues, famine, fires, armies of conquest, and signs in the heavens. In summary, for the wicked, ‘The Day of the Lord’ is their worst nightmare because they will reap what they sow; for the righteous, it is their vindication and reward of future blessing.

Key Verses of Joel

(2:11) And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

(2:28-29) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Operation Epic Fury: Was the War between Iran and the US / Israel Inevitable?

It was the Sabbath morning in Israel when the air raid sirens were activated, beckoning the population to their closest bomb shelter. War had broken ou between Israel and its archenemy, Iran. Operation Epic Fury (US name) had begun. And for the first time, Israel was not fighting alone but alongside itsgreat ally, the United States. Comparisons have been frequently made between Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sir Winston Churchill with US Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Donald J. Trump. If the current leadership wins its war as World War II leaders won theirs, the comparison will hold. Operation Epic Fury was meticulously designed and flawlessly executed, using multi-domain warfare (cyber, outer space, and AI). With the failure of negotiations, Israel and the US sincerely believed that Iran was a growing threat, so they swung into action. Israel sent out two hundred flights, and each plane had two targets each. In amazingly swift speed, the allies sank Iran’s navy a...
Post a Comment
Read more

FALL FROM GRACE: WHAT’S NEXT FOR EX-PRINCE ANDREW?

It was like a nuclear explosion. First is the impact, then the mushroom cloud, followed by the fallout. For the first time in the 1,000-year history of the British monarchy, a close member of the royal family was arrested for alleged criminal conduct. Where it is going and how it will end is anyone’s guess.   Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (AMW), previously known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on 19 February for possible ‘misconduct in public office’. This stems from his past relationship with disgraced financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. As of yet, Andrew has not been charged with any crime, but neither has he been cleared either. Multiple police investigations are underway. Born into immense wealth and privilege, until last year, Andrew had known only royal life. Yet on the day of his arrest, 19 February 2026, he was treated like a common man. Pronounced under arrest, his two residences - Royal Lodge (Windsor) and Wood Farm (Sandringham) - were searched, and all electr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dealmaker? Peacemaker?: Trump and the Middle East

His name is a household word, and it is rare for people, both Americans and non-Americans, to be neutral. They either dislike him intensely or love him wholeheartedly. Yet, regardless of your opinion, Donald Trump is the most colourful man to occupy the Oval Office in modern times.   First elected as US President in 2016 on the coattails of Brexit, his first term in office (2017-2021) was eventful and turbulent. He worked hard and fought hard, and, unlike many career establishment elite politicians, the New York ‘blue collar’ billionaire, Donald Trump, related to everyday Americans, the working class, minorities, and Generation Z young people. That’s how he won two presidential elections, despite being a political outsider. Having left the White House after the disputed 2020 presidential election (one that he never conceded), Trump was considered politically dead. The obstacles to a political comeback were enormous: a second impeachment over the January 6th riot at the Capitol Buil...
Post a Comment
Read more