Joel 1-3

Who was Joel
1. He was the son of Pethuel (1:1)
2. His message was addressed to the Southern Kingdom
3. He prophesied during a great locust plague

Outline for Joel
1:1-2:27 The present day of the locusts
2:28-3:21 The future Day of the Lord

Cycle #1

Description of the Locust Invasion
1. Something quite unique was occurring in that day (1:2-3)
2. The locusts were causing incredible destruction (1:4)
3. The people needed to wake up from their moral stupor (1:5)
4. The locusts were like a great/powerful army (1:6-7)
5. The Southern Kingdom was loosing all they valued (1:8-12)

What did they need to do?
1. They needed to stop finding joy in stuff (1:12, Hab. 3:17-18)
2. They needed to lament their present condition (1:13a)
3. They needed to stop practicing ‘religion’ (1:13b)
4. They needed to fast (1:14a)
5. They needed to gather together and cry out to God (1:14b)
6. They needed to recognize the evidence that judgment was coming soon (1:15-20)

Cycle #2

Description of the Locus Invasion
1. The locusts brought great darkness (2:1-2a)
2. The locust were causing incredible destruction (2:2b)
3. The locusts were leaving destruction behind their path (2:3)
4. The locusts were much like a human army and fire (2:4-5)
5. The locusts are even worse than a human army (2:6-10)

What did they need to do?
1. They needed to realize that God had sent the locusts (2:11a)
2. They needed to realize that they needed help (2:11b)
3. They needed to return fully to God (2:12)
4. They needed a heart change (2:13)
5. They needed to realize that God wants to relent (2:14-17)

What would happen if they did repent?
1. God would, once again, save His people (2:18)
2. He would, once again, send prosperity (2:19)
3. He would, once again, protect His people (2:20)
4. He would revive their land (2:21-24)
5. He will make up for lost time (2:25-27)

How did God address this re-occurring problem?
1. He poured out His Spirit on all people (2:28-29)
2. He brought an end to the Old Covenant (2:30-32)
3. He judges nations and individuals (3:1-8)

What must people do in the present?
1. Recognize that they are in the valley of decision (3:2, 14)
2. If they choose sin, they must prepare for war (3:9-15)
3. If they choose God, they can trust in God (3:16-17)
4. If they choose God, they can enjoy true prosperity (3:18, 20-21)
5. If they choose sin, they must experience emptiness (3:19)