Bible Study Notes on Joel

The Minor Prophets Bible Study XII: Joel – a reporter

May 17, 2012

BMC- Joel

Opening Question: Where do you go for your news?

Background

Call: No true call, 1:1 tells that it is the word of the Lord                         

When: “Although a plethora of dates have been suggested based on enigmatic references within the book, only the extensive references to other biblical literature… have provided any secure foundation for claims that the book must date to a relatively late period in the fifth or fourth century BCE.” (Sweeney 180), Between 500 and 350 BCE (White 66), 5^th Cent (Harris 180), 800 to 300 BCE (HCSB 1347)

Where: Joel live near Jerusalem (Limburg 57)

To Whom: Israel (HCSB 1348), Elders and inhabitants of the land (1:2)

Characteristics: (What do you notice about the style of the book)

-          Didactic admonition

-          Calls to lamentation

-          Calls to repentance

-          Oracles of Salvation

-          Oracles against foreign nations

-         Apocalyptic fragments

Relationship with Kings & Others:

-         “The title for this book does not locate the prophet in the time of any ruling king.  It simply points to that which follows as a word of the Lord, and identifies Joel in reference to his father.” (Limburg 56)

Important Events:

Outline: (Sweeney pg. 181)

I.                                           Superscription (1:1)

II.                Body of the Book: YHWH’s response to Judah’s appeal (1:2-3:21)

a.     Prophet’s call to communal complaint concerning the threat of the locust plague (1:2-20)

b.     Prophet’s call to communal complaint concerning the threat of invasion (2:1-14)

c.      Prophet’s announcement of YHWH’s response to protect people from the threat (2:15-3:21)

Observations by Chapter: (Note observations make or questions you have as you read the book.)

Joel 1:  The Locusts and the resulting devastation.  May have been locusts, May have represented conquering armies, sense of despair, Instructions to priests, Drought

Joel 2:  Day of the Lord, Apocalyptic, Call to turn toward God, Perhaps God will offer a reprieve, Call to fasting, Call babies and bridegrooms, God will fight back, rains are an expression of Grace, Sons and daughters will prophesy

Joel 3:  Judgment against those who harmed Judah and Jerusalem, Beat Plow shares into swords – reverse of Micah, Peace to come,

Themes/Issues: (Note the major themes and issues the prophet addresses.)

-          Judgment (HCSB 1347)

-          “predicts an outpouring of the divine spirit on all humanity and proclaims judgment on foreign nations” (Harris 184)

-         “Locusts or military invasion herald’s Yahweh’s imminent visitation” (Harris 190)

-         “God who was coming awaited at the same time with hope and fear.” (Soggin 354)

So What? (Having read the prophet, what do his words have to teach us today?)

-          We must call on the name of Yahweh and be saved (Harris 190)

-          Warns us that if you don’t worship God we’re all in trouble (NIB 309-310).

-          Redemption is important.  Turning back to God.