Joel

By William Dean Hamilton

An in-depth look at the Book of Joel, the minor prophet, through both the literal and symbolic meanings in the text. The book looks at the partial historical fulfillment and future fulfillment of prophecy and the locust plague.

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Dean Hamilton
• Release date: Sep 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005574086

William Dean Hamilton

Mr. Hamilton is the author of over 1,000 articles, works of fiction and Poetry, and has just had his book, “Would You Do What They Did? Great Christian Leaders From Our Past” published by Crosslink Publishing. Mr. Hamilton writes the blog This Week in Christian History. He has recently been interviewed on Red’s Revelations, in Book Goodies, and by the Awesome Gang. 110 copies of one of his previous books, “Blessed, Life and Films of Val Kilmer,” were signed by Val Kilmer.

Book preview

Joel

By William Dean Hamilton

Copyright 2022

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction

Outline

Symbols

The Day of the LORD

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Introduction

Joel is the second book of the Minor Prophets. We do not know when the Book of Joel was written, because he doesn't mention a date or the king that was in power while he prophesied. This has led to speculation that he was active during the period after Athaliah died. She was Judah's only ruling queen. This left her grandson, Joash, as her heir, but as he was too young to reign, Jehoida the priest reigned until he came of age. This would mean that the book was written about 835 B.C..

Another possibility is that he was writing after the Babylonian captivity, which would be about 400 years later after the temple was restored, as it does mention temple activities. The theme of the book is timeless, and the date is not as important as its message. Either of these dates would explain why he didn't mention a king, but wouldn't be the only explanation. After all, Hosea (the first minor prophet) doesn't mention the kings of Israel, even though he was prophesying mainly to Israel.

Joel was certainly familiar with Jerusalem, as the Temple and its rituals were mentioned in the book, so it is probable that he lived in Judah. It is possible that he lived in a rural area, as that area would be more impacted by the locust plague that he vividly describes.

The name Joel means Yahweh is God, which is a fitting name for the author of the book. It implies that Yahweh is above all else, so judgment and restoration belong to him. Joel indicates that he is the son of Pethuel, which means the mouth of God. What a fitting name for a father of a prophet.

The book consists of poetic language and describes a locust plague that had recently impacted Judah and then uses that language to introduce the Day of Yahweh. He indicates that similar foes will be part of the judgment on that day, which is actually a period of time and not a 24-hour period. The day, in Jewish terms, starts with nightfall and goes into daylight, and this is like the Day of Yahweh. Judgment comes first, followed by restoration. During the second part of the restoration, there is a call for repentance, and grace comes upon Judah. This same basic form is repeated in the narrative again, with judgment being followed by salvation.

Outline

Title and introduction (1:1)

A locust plague and its devastation (1:2-12)

A call to repentance (1:13-14).

The Day of Yahweh (1:15-2:11)

An Appeal for Repentance and Prayer (2:12-17)

Yahweh's Restoration of Judah (2:18-27)

Yahweh's Renewal of All Kinds of People (2:28-32)

The nations judged (3:1-16)

God's people blessed (3:17-21)

Symbols

Locusts - they are a symbol of invading armies, which is explicitly stated in the text itself.

Teeth - power or rage.

Proverbs 30:14 There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords And his jaw teeth like knives, To devour the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men.

This compares a man's teeth with knives and swords, or like powerful weapons (in those days).

Psalms 3:7 Rise up, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Yes, you will strike all my enemies on the jaw; you will break the teeth of the wicked.

This shows how teeth are a symbol of power, as the enemy is powerless when their teeth are broken.

Lion - power. Here