The People of Judah
Category: Endurance through disaster & call to repentance
Could avoid: Ignore the locust plague and drought as mere natural events.
“What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten.” (Joel 1:4)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 28:38; Amos 4:9.
Chose: Fast, mourn, and cry out to the LORD.
“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.” (Joel 1:14)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jonah 3:5.
Endured: Famine, devastation, fear of God’s judgment.
“The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed.” (Joel 1:10)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 14:1–3; Romans 8:22.
Why: Believed God would show mercy if they turned back.
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate.” (Joel 2:13)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 34:18; Hosea 14:1–2.
Result: God promised renewal and deliverance.
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 61:7; Revelation 21:5.
The Priests (Intercessors)
Category: Endurance in weeping & leading repentance
Could avoid: Remain silent while people suffered.
“Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar.” (Joel 1:13)
Cross-Refs: Lamentations 2:18; Malachi 2:1.
Chose: Stand between the people and God in intercession.
“Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar.” (Joel 2:17)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 16:47–48; Hebrews 5:7.
Endured: Mourning, fasting, public burden of leadership.
“Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn.” (Joel 2:17)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 32:11–12; Romans 9:3.
Why: Desired God’s glory and mercy on His people.
“Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” (Joel 2:17)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 79:9–10; Micah 7:9–10.
Result: God relented and promised restoration.
“Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.” (Joel 2:18)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 1:14–17; James 5:16.
The Faithful Remnant (Future Hope)
Category: Endurance through judgment & promise of Spirit
Could avoid: Follow nations into idolatry and despair.
“The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:11)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:17.
Chose: Call on the name of the LORD for salvation.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)
Cross-Refs: Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21.
Endured: Cosmic signs, upheaval, nations gathered for judgment.
“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” (Joel 2:31)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:12.
Why: Trusted God’s promise of His Spirit and deliverance.
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28)
Cross-Refs: Acts 2:17–18; Galatians 4:6.
Result: Spirit poured out, salvation secured, Zion restored.
“The LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.” (Joel 3:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 46:1; Revelation 21:3.