(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Joel – named after the prophet Joel (Yo’el in Hebrew), meaning “The LORD is God”
• Definition: A prophetic book that uses the imagery of a devastating locust plague and future divine judgement (the Day of the LORD) to call the people to repentance and to promise spiritual renewal and divine blessing

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Attributed to the prophet Joel son of Pethuel; little is known about his background beyond his name and prophetic message
• When: The date is uncertain; scholars propose a wide range from the 9th to the 4th century BC. The absence of a named king and the mention of temple worship suggest a post-exilic or late pre-exilic context
• Audience: The people of Judah and Jerusalem, possibly in a post-exilic setting, facing agricultural disaster and spiritual complacency
• Purpose: To interpret a locust plague as a divine warning, to summon the nation to corporate repentance, and to proclaim hope through divine restoration and the outpouring of the Spirit

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Poetic prophecy, vivid imagery, chiastic structure, use of inclusio, parallelism, and apocalyptic language; three major movements—judgement, repentance, and restoration
• Key Themes: The Day of the LORD, repentance, divine sovereignty, restoration, the Holy Spirit, and cosmic renewal
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Joel 2:28–32 is quoted in Acts 2 as the fulfilment of the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost
○ The promise of deliverance for all who call on the LORD (Joel 2:32) anticipates salvation through Christ
○ The Day of the LORD serves as a precursor to Christ’s return in judgement and redemption
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The locusts symbolise judgement, both natural and military
○ The Day of the LORD represents both wrath and hope
○ Agricultural imagery conveys desolation and fruitfulness, judgement and grace

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Three primary sections – a locust plague and call to repentance (ch. 1–2:17), promises of restoration (2:18–27), and eschatological hope (2:28–3:21)
• Canonical Significance: One of the Twelve Minor Prophets; central in discussions of apocalyptic prophecy and the theology of the Spirit
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Links closely with Amos and Obadiah (Day of the LORD themes), and Ezekiel and Isaiah (restoration and Spirit imagery)
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Builds on covenant warnings from Deuteronomy and Leviticus regarding agricultural disaster and repentance
○ Connections to the New Testament: Joel 2 is directly cited by Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:17–21); themes of judgement and restoration inform Revelation and Romans
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: The outpouring of the Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28) foreshadows the inclusive work of Christ and the Church
○ Connections with Judaism: Read during Passover in some Jewish traditions; interpreted as a call to return to covenantal faithfulness
○ Connections with Islam: While Joel is not mentioned in the Qur’an, shared themes of divine judgement and repentance are present in Islamic theology
• Key Passages or Verses: Joel 1:4 – “What the locust swarm has left…”
Joel 2:13 – “Rend your heart and not your garments”
Joel 2:28 – “I will pour out My Spirit on all people”
Joel 2:32 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved”
Joel 3:16 – “The LORD will roar from Zion”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Joel delivers God’s word through poetic and prophetic speech, interpreting historical events through a theological lens and pointing to future hope
• Who are the Main Characters: Joel, the people of Judah, the priests, the invading locusts (symbolic of nations or armies), God as both Judge and Redeemer

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Sovereign over nature, history, and redemption; initiates both judgement and healing
○ The Son – Implied in the universal call to salvation and the eschatological Day of the LORD fulfilled in Christ
○ The Holy Spirit – Central to the promise of spiritual renewal; explicitly mentioned as being poured out on all flesh
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Priests are called to lead national repentance (Joel 1:13–14); no king is mentioned, possibly reflecting post-exilic governance
• Role of the Church: Inherits the outpouring of the Spirit and continues the call to repentance, renewal, and preparation for the Day of the LORD
• Role of Men and Women: Both genders are included in the Spirit’s outpouring (Joel 2:28); children, elders, and servants are part of the prophetic community

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Judah and Jerusalem; Mount Zion features as the locus of divine presence and protection
• Historical Context: A period of severe agricultural devastation due to a locust plague; exact historical setting remains debated
• Cultural Context: Likely a time of religious formalism, requiring a renewed call to covenantal sincerity and heartfelt repentance

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Natural disasters like locust plagues were viewed as omens; Joel reinterprets them theologically as divine communication
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Pagan nations appear in Joel’s oracles of judgement; the prophet contrasts their idolatry with Israel’s covenantal call
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Highlights the ethical need for national repentance, spiritual renewal, and social unity
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Fasting, weeping, and mourning as signs of repentance
   ○ Temple worship and sacrificial rituals disrupted by disaster
   ○ Public convocations of prayer and communal lament

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Connects covenantal curses to eschatological promises; moves from national disaster to global hope
2. Theological Significance: Develops the theology of the Spirit, the concept of the Day of the LORD, and the assurance of divine mercy through repentance
3. Spiritual Themes: Divine sovereignty, judgement, repentance, spiritual awakening, restoration, and universal salvation
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Disasters can awaken spiritual awareness. True repentance must come from the heart. God restores what was lost. The Spirit is for all who seek Him
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Foundational to Pentecost theology and Christian eschatology; informs missional theology and spiritual empowerment
6. Historical Reception: Revered for its poetic depth and theological clarity; often cited in revivalist and charismatic traditions

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Reflects covenant theology found in Deuteronomy and Leviticus; part of the Twelve Minor Prophets forming a theological and literary unit
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Associated with themes of national renewal; read in some Jewish communities during Passover as a reminder of deliverance and restoration
3. Connections with Islam: Shares themes of divine retribution, mercy, and moral accountability, although the prophet is not named in Islamic texts
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Cited in revivalist movements, music, and sermons; themes of spiritual renewal and global hope have had lasting influence
5. Scientific Perspectives: Engages ecological and agricultural studies; used to examine climate impact, natural disasters, and their spiritual interpretations
6. Global Perspective: Speaks to global spiritual renewal, environmental crises, and the inclusive nature of divine calling and empowerment

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: The outpouring of the Spirit has been interpreted as a mystical union between humanity and divine presence across traditions
2. Comparative Mythology: Transforms ancient disaster motifs into theological messages of covenantal renewal and universal hope
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Explores the ethics of repentance, divine justice, human responsibility, and the promise of spiritual equality
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Repent with sincerity, not just outward form
   ○ Trust God to restore what has been lost
   ○ Embrace the Spirit’s work in all people regardless of status
   ○ Prepare spiritually for the Day of the LORD
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Offers insight into natural disaster response, spiritual revival, inclusive leadership, and global accountability

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Determining historical context, distinguishing literal from symbolic locust imagery, and defining the Day of the LORD
2. Theological Debates: Scope and sequence of eschatological fulfilments, nature of Spirit outpouring, and continuity between Israel and the Church
3. Key Questions Addressed: What does true repentance look like? How does God use natural events to speak to humanity? What is the role of the Spirit in history? Who will be saved in the Day of the LORD?