Joel

Below you will find a summary of Joel's content, some applications from this book of Judgment, and then an older summary of the same.

SUMMARY

The Locust Plague (1:1-12)

We know next to nothing about Joel. We do know, however, that he prophesied in response to a locust plague that had brought great devastation to the people of Jerusalem. Joel’s message to the people was, he believed, also relevant to future generations.

A Tale of Two Trumpets (1:13-2:17)

Joel trumpeted the need for alarm. As devastating as the locust plague had been, he believed it was only a harbinger of a greater judgment (‘the day of the Lord’) yet to come. Joel also trumpeted the need for repentance. The people needed to pray if they wanted to delay that day and/or be ready for it.

Repentance Brings Restoration (2:18-32)

It seems the people heeded Joel’s warnings and returned to God. In response, the Lord restored their fields and pushed back the pending judgment. Indeed, rather than fearing the outpouring of God’s wrath, they could gladly anticipate the outpouring of God’s Spirit.

Judgment Valley (3:1-21)

Joel envisions a day when the nations will be called to war. They will assemble for battle, but will find themselves up against God Himself. They will be judged for their violence and the evidence against them will be in hand. Only God’s people survive that day.

APPLICATIONS

1.     We should consider tragedies (whether they are directly from God or not) as foreshadowing of the Day of Judgment and allow them to wake us up to life’s most important realities (on an individual, church, and national level).

2.     Repentance must go deeper than the surface level. We need to weep, wail, mourn, grieve, despair, and cry out to God for mercy amidst tragedy. It must come from the heart and include an actual return to the Lord.

3.     Prayer can truly change the course of history. Nations can avoid judgment through prayer. Economies can be miraculously restored. Reputations can be redeemed.

4.     The greatest blessing that God could pour out on us is not material blessing, but the gift of Himself. The Day of Pentecost was one of the great days in the history of salvation. We are to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.

5.     Judgment Day will eventually come. The way to survive judgment day is to deal with your sin now. God’s people need not fear Judgment Day. Indeed, they can look forward to it as a day of vindication and the direct presence of the Lord. The wicked will be baptized by fire.

OLDER SUMMARY

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)