An Introduction to

Joel

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An Introduction to

Joel
A Brief BACKGROUND to Joel
AUTHOR:
*The author of Joel is, Joel, the son of Pethuel (1:1). Joel's name carries the meaning, the Lord is God. *There are many Joel's mentioned in the Old Testament Scriptures, but no evidence links this Joel to any of them with any degree of certainty. Thus, nothing is known of Joel apart from what is written in his book.

DATE:
Joel could have prophesied any time between the 9 th and 4th centuries B.C. Some scholars maintain Joel was one of the first of the prophetseven preceding Amos and Hoseawhile others argue that he prophesied after the return from Babylonian exile and thus one of the very last of the Old Testament prophets. The main considerations are as follows: DATE OF JOEL'S PROPHECY1 BEFORE Babylonian Captivity AFTER Babylonian Captivity It appears that Amos begins and ends his book with quotes from the Joel may have rather borrowed from book of Joel (Amos 1:2 with Joel Amos and Isaiah instead of the other 3:16; Amos 9:13 with Joel 3:18). way around. Likewise Isaiah 13:6 is identical in Hebrew to Joel 1:15. The only enemies mentioned in the book of Joel are those who were the primary enemies of God's people Those who see Joel as having taken before the exile (Egypt, Edom, place after the exile cite Edom's Tyre & Sidon, and Philistia). mistreatment of the Judeans during the Further, nothing is said either of Babylonian conquest (Obadiah 1-21). Aram, nor of Assyria or Babylon, who were the greatest enemies of Israel later on. Though Jerusalem is mentioned several times, there is no hint of it No mention is made of any kings.

Joel in light of Isaiah and Amos

Joel and the enemies of Israel

Joel, the

1 Some of this is taken from John Stevenson's helpful work, A Survey of the Old Testament, p675; other parts taken from Donald Ritzman's course, The Prophets, pp.156-160.

monarchy having been previously destroyed and the and rebuilt. Temple worship seems temple to be in full swing, which would not have been the case after the exile. The mention of the northern army seems to point to Assyria Joel and and/or Babylon as a present or the exile future threatnot an event in the to Assyria past (2:20). The scattering that has & taken place in 3:2 may not be Babylon referring to the Babylonian exileit may well have been an earlier captivity of a lesser scale (IE, 2 Chron.28:5; 29:6-9); or it may be a prophetic foretelling. Early compilers of the OT canon intentionally placed Joel among the pre-exilic prophets rather than the Other post-exilic prophets. In the Hebrew Bible, Joel is placed as the 2nd chronologically of all the minor prophets, following only Hosea and before Amos.

Priests and elders are seen as the leaders of the nation (2:16-17), which would fit the time in Judah after the exile. Though a prophetic foretelling is a possibility, a very natural reading of the text would be to take Israel's having been scattered among the nations (3:2), and having been sold to the sons of Javin -- Greeks (3:6) as an event that had already happened in the exile to Assyria and Babylon. No mention is made of a divided kingdom, or Israel in the north as a separate entityrather, Israel seems to refer to the Judeans in the south throughout the book of Joel. This would better fit the conditions in Jerusalem after the exile, when Israel remains scattered among the nations.

We are inclined to side with those who take Joel as taken place earlier, but agree wholeheartedly with what John Calvin said on the matter: As there is no certainty it is better to leave the time in which [Joel] taught undecided; and as we shall see, this is of no great importance. . .for the import of his doctrine is evident, though his time be obscure and uncertain.2

AUDIENCE:
Joel's audience was the people of God, especially those residing in Judah and Jerusalem.

CONTEXT:
We are not certain of whether Joel was written before or after the exile. What we do know about the context of Joel is that the people of God had just recently been overtaken with a number of severe natural disastersmost notably the ransacking of the land through several locust invasions which had left the people stripped of their crops and so poverty-stricken that grain and drink offerings could no longer be brought to the temple (1:9,13,16).

OVERVIEW:
*The STYLE of Joel: The first half of Joel's book resembles a terrifying nightmare of locusts, foreign invasion, famine, earthquakes, fire, and cataclysmic astronomic disaster; in the second half he describes a place so wonderful it is like a dream you never want to wake up from. Joel's language is vivid and rich with metaphor. He speaks of future events in the present and past tenses to show they are close at hand (2:2-10; 21-23; 3:13-15). But as we will see, whatever literary methods he employsit is for a higher purpose: to drive the people of God to seek the Lord in repentance.
2 From Calvin's preface to his commentary on Joel.

*The SCOPE of Joel: The main scope of Joel's preaching is especially two-fold: 1) to demonstrate to his hearers that many among them are in fact under the displeasure of God in order that they might flee by faith to truly call upon the Lordso that they might become true possessors of the full blessing of God in Christ. Joel's scope is especially to wake up the unconverted among God's people to the fact that the plagues and famine that has swept the nation are specific signs of God's displeasure (Leviticus 26more on this later), and that if they continue in their unrepentance, there was a much more horrific disaster coming upon them: unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:5). Having attempted to induce his hearers to repentance through sober warning, Joel in the second half of his book attempts to induce his hearers to repentance through the freely offered invitations and promises of grace, painting for them an irresistible picture of the blessedness of new life in the Spirit that could be theirs. 2) Recognizing there was a remnant of true believers sprinkled throughout his hearers, he also seeks to comfort them in the midst of all their afflictions, reminding the flock of God that for believers the day of the Lord is nothing to be feared, but something to long forit will be the divine turning of the tables, the day when Christ will make all things right, vindicate His people before their enemies, rid them of all their sin, and grant them to dwell together with Him forever in the New Jerusalem. *The OUTINE of Joel is the following:

IN BRIEF:
I. Admonitions and Warnings to God's people, 1:1-2:17 II. Comforts and Promises for God's people, 2:18-21

AT LENGTH:
I. The PRESENT CONDITION of God's people, 1:1-12 II. The EARNEST ADMONITIONS of God's prophet, 1:13-18 III. The PRIVATE PRAYERS of God's prophet, 1:19-20 IV. The SOLEMN WARNING of God's impending judgment, 2:1-11 V. The FREE OFFER of God's lavish mercy, 2:12-17 VI. The DESCRIPTION of promised future covenant blessings, 2:18-27 VII. The SOURCE of promised future covenant blessings, 2:28-29 VIII. The RECIPIENTS of promised future covenant blessings, 2:30-32 IX. The AVENGING of God's enemies, 3:1-16 X. The VINDICATION of God's people, 3:16-21 *Joel's book is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament in at least the following passages: Matthew 24:29; Acts 2:16-21; Romans 10:13-16; Revelation 21:27; 22.

MAKING SENSE of the book of Joel

What ISN'T clear: *If Joel was written in the pre-exile or post-exile context.
*What were the particular sins of the people that Joel was calling them to return from. *If the locust swarm of chapter one was literal or metaphorical (though the former option is

What IS clear: *God's people are being disciplined for their unrepentance.
*The Lord is the one behind the discipline. *There are much greater torments coming than the present calamities for the unrepentant.

extremely likely). *Who the army is that is described in Chapter 2.

*Corporate confession and repentance would usher in times of refreshing and revival blessings.

The DAY OF THE LORD

WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE on the day of the Lord?
*The day of the Lord will be a day of JUDGMENT:

1. Judgment of unbelievers INSIDE the church (Chapter 2). 2. Judgment of unbelievers OUTSIDE the church (Chapter 3).
*The day of the Lord will be a day of VINDICATION (3:1-17):

1. The PICTURE given: In this life the church suffers, but in the next life she will triumph. I love the picture Joel gives in Chapter 3. The valley of Jehoshaphat (3:2,12) refers back to the account recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. There a sea of the enemies of Judah (Ammon, Moab, and Edom) came up to wage war on Jerusalem and faithful King Jehoshaphat. They were scared to death. The king called a day of fasting and prayer. Everyone came and they sought God together. Then a prophet stood up and boldly declared that the battle belonged to God and He would be their defender. They bowed in homage and the next morning marched out to face their enemies singing praises to God. When they got to the lookout point, the corpses of their enemies were sprawled all over the valley. They had fought with themselves and destroyed each other. It took Jehoshaphat and the people three days to gather up all the spoil from the valley. They named the place Beracah, which means Blessing. The curse had turned for them into a blessing. The people of the Lord trusted in their God, and they were not disappointed. 2. The TRUTH taught: The day of the Lord is the day of the divine turning of the tables, when the church will triumph over those who have hated, persecuted, and afflicted her. On that day, those who had mourned shall at last be comforted, the meek shall inherit the earth, those who had hungered and thirsted for righteousness will be filled, those who had been accused and maligned will be vindicated as the sons of God, and those who had been persecuted for the sake of righteousness will enter into their reward. On the day of the Lord, the Beatitudes will become a reality for the saints.
*APPLICATIONS:

1. A WARNING: The coming day of the Lord is a WARNING for the church because for some it will be a day of JUDGMENT (2:1-11). 2. A COMFORT: The coming day of the Lord is a COMFORT for the church because it will be a day of VINDICATION (3:1-21). WHAT IS THE MEANING of the day of the Lord?
*NEAR FULFILLMENT:

The day of the Lord points forward to the EXILE judgment.

*FAR FULFILLMENT:

The day of the Lord points forward to ETERNAL judgment, of which the exile is a type. WHAT DO WE KNOW about the day of the Lord?
*It is CERTAIN: the day of the Lord IS coming (2:1; NT: 2 Peter 3:7). *It is NEAR: Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near (1:15; 2:1; NT: Rev. 3:11). *It is FORETOLD: The Lord utters His voice before His army. . .strong is He who carries out His word (2:11). IE, we are accountableHe told us this was coming (NT: Matt. 24-25). *It will be SUDDEN: Sound an alarm on My holy mountain. . .they rush on the city. . .They enter through the windows like a thief (2:1,9; NT: Luke 17:24; 2 Peter 3:10). *It will be TERRIBLE: Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. . .the people are in anguish; all faces turn pale (2:1,6; NT: Luke 21:11 with Is.13:8). *It will be INESCAPABLE: nothing at all escapes them (2:3; NT: Lk.17:26-29 with Amos 9:1-4). *It will be IMPARTIAL: It reaches both those inside the church (Chapter 2) and outside the church (Chapter 3; NT: Matthew 24:45-51). *It will be PERSONAL: they climb into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief (2:9). Not only do these warriors come upon the country or city in general, but they invade particular houses (NT: Matthew 25:31-46).

HOW IS THE LORD DESCRIBED on the day of the Lord?

*An INVADING ARMY (Chapter 2). *A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE (3:12). *A REAPER OF THE HARVEST (3:13). *A TREADER OF THE WINEPRESS (3:13). *A ROARING LION (3:16; cf. Hosea 11:10).

APPLICATIONS:
*FEAR Christ: Jesus is not only the protector of the orphan and widow but the enemy of the unrepentant and if a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword. He is not only the Advocate for His people in the courtroom of heaven but the righteous Judge of all, who will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. As the Lord of the harvest He not only gathers the wheat into His barns but He puts in the sickle, divides out the wheat from the chaff, and burns the latter with unquenchable fire. He drank down the cup of the wrath of God for all who would believe in Him, but one day soon He is also coming back to tread the winepress of the fierce wrath of God against all who lived in rebellion against Him. He is not only the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, but the fierce Lion of Judah who will soon come again to tear His enemies apart limb from limb. He is goodyes, but make no mistake about itHe is not safe. Do you think this goes too far? Check out the Scriptures yourselves: Psalm 7:12; Nahum 1:3; Matthew 3:12; Revelation 19:15; Hosea 5:14, 13:7-8.

*BE RECONCILED to Christ: Now is the time if you haven't already. Bow the knee to Him nowthere will be no time to get right with God on the day of the Lordit will be too late then. The doors of the ark of salvation will one day be slammed shutbut they are today presently wide open, beckoning all who will to enter into the ark of Christ and flee the coming wrath. *BE READY for Christ:

Matthew 24:42-44, Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. 2 Peter 3:11-12: Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 1 John 2:28, Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away form Him in shame at His coming.
*BE IMITATORS of Christ:

1. In His WEEPING OVER the church (1:8,11,13; 2:17). 2. In His INTERCESSION FOR the church (1:13-14; 2:17).

A CALL TO REPENTANCE
WHAT is Joel calling the people to do?
Joel tells them to RETURN to the Lord (vv12-13). This is Old Testament language for repentance. What is repentance (let's pause and review this a bit)? *What evangelical repentance is NOT:

FEELING BAD about our sin only: King Saul and Judas felt bad about their sins but they weren't repentant. MAKING UP for our sin: This is in-effect trying to atone for our sinsa stench in the nostrils of God and a despising of the cross of Christ (see Hebrews 10:18). RESOLVING to try harder and do better: Saul's sincere resolves to stop hunting David in the wilderness came crashing down at the next spark of jealousy. All the disciples resolved to not desert Jesus in the garden (Mark 14:31), but we learn from them the sad lesson that though resolves be good and right, they have no power over sin. An EXTERNAL GIVING UP of sin: The Pharisees had given up all sinjust for the wrong reasons. Simon Magus had given up all his sorceries, but we later discover that his sin was alive as ever inside his heart. The above is basically a description of the Roman Catholic doctrine of Penance, which is basically trying to atone for our sins by feeling bad, making up for, then trying harder and

doing better next time. In effect, trying to change our behavior through our own willpower. But this is no evangelical repentance. For penance a sinner does not actually need Jesusall these he can do on his own. *What evangelical repentance IS3:

Its RESPONSIBILITY is placed wholly on self: In evangelical repentance there is true ownership for sin. There are no excusesthe cry is simply Have mercy on me, the sinner (also Psalm 51:4 below). Its ORIENTATION is toward God, not self or others: Psalm 51:4, Against You, You only I have sinned. For real repentance there can be no true reconciliation with one another until there has first been genuine repentance towards God. Too often we try to fix relationships horizontally too quickly (I'm sorry) while neglecting to first take the real heart issues before God vertically in true repentance. Its MOTIVATION is true godly sorrow and not just selfish regret: 2 Corinthians 7:10, For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. Its EXTENT reaches to hidden sins that the eyes men cannot see: Evangelical repentance reaches past the seen into the unseen; and past sinful actions to sinful motives behind good actions. Psalm 51:6, Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Its CONCERN is change of the heart, not just external actions and behavior: Psalm 51:10, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Its POWER for deliverance and change is in looking to Jesus: Repentance is a returning to Jesus, not a returning to good behavior. God does not say through Joel, Return to morality, but Return to ME (2:12). David does not say, OK, I see my problemnow let me clean it up. He knows the Lord must clean him: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). In short, evangelical repentance says: There is a problem, I am the problem, and I can't fix itI need Jesus to cleanse me and change me afresh. WHO is Joel calling to repentance?
Remember, Joel's audience was not Gentile pagans, but THE PEOPLE OF GOD. And further, they were a people who seem to have thought they didn't have anything to repent of. This is why Joel had to address them so sharply. ILLUSTRATION: One preacher, in addressing young church-goers: Many who even profess Jesus Christ as Lord will spend an eternity in hell. . .The issue isn't that you have sin, the issue is that you've never done anything but sin. . .[applause]. . .I don't know why you're clapping. I'm talking about you.

Application 1: The necessity of repentance for UNBELIEVERS in the churchthose who have never been born again. Application 2: The necessity of continual repentance for TRUE BELIEVERS. As believers we are called to continually turn to the Lord in new repentance (as described above).
3 The following (excepting Responsibility and Extent) are gratefully adapted from World Harvest Mission's booklet, The Gospel Centered Life. The final summary of evangelical repentance is taken from Paul Koistra, Living In Grace.

WHY is Joel calling the people to repent?

*What we DON'T KNOW:

We're not sure of what their sins were in particular. It doesn't appear that Joel is calling them to repentance because of any particularly outrageous or grievous sins (such as in the writings of other prophets). In fact, no particular sins are named at all in the book of Joel.
*What we DO KNOW:

1. God's people are being made to experience a season of severe drought and plague. The emphasis in Joel is not the particular sins of the churchrather it is the particular judgment of God that has been sent to the church (IE, the locusts of Chapter 1). God has been sending a season of severe temporal judgments to the OT Church in Joel's day: widespread plague (the locusts), drought (1:20) and wild-fires (1:19-20). 2. Joel takes the present temporal disasters as God disciplining His church. Joel interprets the present-day locust disastertogether with the fires and drought that are ravaging the landas fulfillment of the covenant curses of the Law given in Leviticus 26. There God describes how if His people continued in unrepentance He would send temporal judgments to themjudgments such as plagues and famine. We know this because in 1:15-16 Joel's logic is basically this: 1) Exile is coming, folks (IE, the Day of the Lord in verse 15). 2) How do I know exile is coming? Because God promised in Leviticus 26 that He would cast His people into exile after He had already sent them plague and famine as discipline for their disobedience (verse 16).
*APPLICATIONS:

First: Trials in the Christian life and distresses in the church should NEVER by any means always be taken as signs of God's discipline and displeasure. We in no way subscribe to the false teachings of the health-wealth-prosperity gospel. Those who follow Christ will suffer hardships in this lifeand often as they are faithfully following their Master. Second: Still, when God sends a season of drought, plague, or famine to useither individually or corporatelyit ought to cause us to take stock:
*If we are PERSONALLY plagued by certain sins it may be because we are not really putting putting to death our sin by the Spirit. If we are experiencing personal drought or barrenness, it may well be because we have grieved or quenched the Spirit of God. *And if our CHURCHES are experiencing drought and barrennessif we have gone not only a season but years without seeing a single conversion in our churchor if there is a plague of stagnancy, complacency and ambivalencethen as ministers this ought to cause us to take a good look at ourselves and our preachingbecause there is something seriously wrong.

WHAT is the nature of repentance that Joel is calling them to?

*A repentance that reaches past INTELLECTUAL ASSENT (v12):

Return to Me with all your heart (v12). Their main problem was not with their minds but with their hearts. Maybe we can relate. God wanted more than mere acknowledgment or confession that they had sinned. He is asking them to return with all their hearts.

*A repentance that reaches past EXTERNAL FORMALITY (v13).

rend your heart and not your garments (v13). A common way to express grief in Old Testament times was to tear ones garments. But God was looking for something more than an outward expression of repentanceHe wanted the inward reality. WHEN is Joel calling them to repent?
*Joel tells them that the time to return is NOW (vv12-13): We must then remember that the Prophet gives not here liberty to men to delay the time, as the profane and scorners are wont to do, who trifle with God from day to day; but the Prophet here shows that we must obey the voice of God, when he invites us, as also Isaiah says, ' Behold now the time accepted, behold the day of salvation: seek God now, for he is near; call on him while he may be found. ' So then, as I have reminded you, these two particles, even now, are added, that men may be made attentive to the voice of God when he invites them, that they may not delay till tomorrow, for the Lord may then close the door, and repentance may be too late. 4 *APPLICATIONS:

First: First and foremost this has applications for you and I as Christians. Has the Spirit shown you any sins of late? Don't delay repentance. Say with the Psalmist, I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments (Psalm 119:60). Second: This also has applications for our preaching. We ought always to remind sinners that God is commanding them to come to Him NOW, that there is no in-between position between being in Christ and outside of Christ, and that every moment they delay submitting to the Savior is a moment they are living in rebellion against God. WHAT are the motives that Joel gives for them to repent?
*Because the JUDGMENT is quickly coming (2:1-11):

See above notes on The Day of the Lord.

*Because His MERCY is freely offered (2:18-27):

1. He will RESTORE again PAST LOSSES to us (v25): He will make up to us for the years the locusts have eaten. . . 2. He will POUR OUT anew FUTURE BLESSINGS upon us (v23): He will send the latter rain as He did the early rain. . . APPLICATION: God is willing to restore what we have lost through neglect or disobedience (v25). Like blind Bartimaeus, we might come to Jesus asking of Him, Lord, I want to regain my sight. And God is also willing to pour out upon us the latter rains as well as the early rains (v23). Do you feel the rain of the Holy Spirit has stopped? Do you feel you have brought upon yourself a season of drought and barrenness? Friend, God is willing to send the rains again. He is not finished with youthe glory days are not gone and past. There are latter rains as well as the early. Believe Christ rather than Satan. Call upon Him to pour out His Spirit upon you once againand He will (Luke 11:13). WHAT would be the favorable outcomes of repentance? And how do we apply them now?
4 John Calvin on now in Joel 2:12-13 from his commentary on Joel.

THE BLESSINGS OF REPENTANCE IN JOEL'S DAY AND OUR DAY Event Restoration to the land Fruitfulness in the Enemies of the Citizens of the Described land land judged land vindicated Type of Once-for-all Once-for-all Future Future Blessing Occurrence & Ongoing Occurrence Occurrence The Restoration from exile: Outpourings of Enemy nations who God's people message in Deliverance from the rainfall that lead exiled God's will be Joel's day to presence, power, and to abundance and people will be vindicated and the OT punishment of the fruitfulness in the judged possess the land Church enemy (2:20) land (2:18-27) (3:1-16,19) forever(3:17,20) The Conversion: Outpourings of God's people meaning for Deliverance from the the Spirit that lead Enemies of Christ will at last be our day in presence, power, and to abundance, and His church will vindicated and the NT punishment of our sins fruitfulness and be judged dwell with the Church life Lord forever

The PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT

IT'S NATURE: An UNPRECEDENTED PROMISE to the people of God:
*It was a PROMISE: This was a promise that God made concerning the distant future something that for Joel's audience perhaps seemed hard to believe (as we will see). But God made good on His promise. APPLICATION: We can bank on God's promises. *It was UNPRECEDENTED:

1. There was already FAMILIARITY: Joel's audience was familiar with the concept and workings of God's Spirit. We see the work of God's Spirit sprinkled throughout the Pentateuch, History Books, Psalms and Wisdom Books and other prophetical writings. So the pouring out of God's Spirit on His people was not something that was completely new and unfamiliar. 2. But there would be a RADICAL NEWNESS: The way that Joel describes the pouring out of the Spirit was something that the Old Testament Church had never experienced before. In the Old Testament, the coming of the Spirit upon an individual was sporadic. He would only come upon particular individuals for particular reasons. He came upon the JUDGES of Israel in order to deliver God's people from their enemies. He came upon the KINGS of Israel to help them lead God's peoplecoming upon Saul when he was chosen as kingthen left Saul to come upon David when he was anointed as the new king. He came upon the PROPHETS of Israel in order to deliver a word to them for the people. But againin the Old Testament, God's Spirit was always isolated to a very rare and select number of individuals for particular purposes. Joel is saying that one day God would pour out His Spirit on all His people.
APPLICATION: Do you realize what you have been given? Are you awed by how precious this gift is?

IT'S TIME: A DISTANT EVENT that Joel looked forward to:

The outpouring of God's Spirit would take place after what Joel described in 2:18-27. Since

the description of 2:18-27 refers to the period of Israel's restoration from exile, we can judge that the outpouring of the Spirit that Joel refers to here would take place after the restoration from exile (2:28).

IT'S FULFILLMENT: A HISTORICAL REALITY that occurred at Pentecost:

Peter quotes Joel's prophesy in Acts 2:14-21 in his sermon to the Jews living in Jerusalem after the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, making clear that this was the fulfillment of Joel's prophesy: Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel. . . (Acts 2:1416).

IT'S RESULT: An UNDENIABLE MANIFESTATION of the presence and power of God:

*As ILLUSTRATED by fruitfulness and abundance (vv18-27): The description of fruitfulness, life, and abundance found in vv18-27 were not only literally fulfilled when the Lord restored His people from exile, but they are also in a very real sense metaphorical descriptions of what would take place when God poured out His Spirit in the latter days (see Isaiah 44:3; 45:8; etc). The abundance and life described in these verses not only look forward to what God would do for the land after the restoration from exile, but what God would do in His people after the outpouring of His Spirit. *As CHARACTERIZED by God revealing Himself to and through His people (vv28-29) which gives rise to a QUESTION: When Joel describes the result of the outpouring of God's Spirit being characterized by prophesying, dreams, and visions, what does he mean? Is it to be understood literally? ANSWER: In shortNew Testament teaching makes clear that God reveals Himself to us today not by dreams and visions but by His Spirit working in and through His Word (Hebrews 1:1-2). Just as the early and latter rain (v23) is Old Testament language for the Spirit, so prophesying, dreams, and visions are Old Testament language for the manifestations of the Spirit. What Joel is describing in 2:28-29 is God powerfully revealing Himself both TO (dreams and visions) and THROUGH (prophesying) His people by His Spiritin language that the Old Testament people of God would understand.

IT'S RECIPIENTS:
*What ALL (v28) DOESN'T mean:

1. The phrase all flesh doesn't mean everybody in the WORLD. It is given to those who have repented and have believed on Christ (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14). 2. The phrase all flesh doesn't necessarily mean everybody in the CHURCH. Just as not everyone in the Old Testament covenant community was truly saved, so not everyone in the New Testament covenant community is necessarily truly saved. Jesus made clear that there will always be those calling him Lord who don't truly know Him (Matthew 7:21). Peter and Jude speak of false teachers in the church who are devoid of the Spirit (Jude 19). For this reason theologians have given us the (helpful) distinction between the invisible church (all who profess Christ) and the visible church (all who really know Christ).
*What ALL (v28) DOES mean:

Everyone who trusts in Christ. All true Christians are baptized with the Holy Spirit at conversion (despite some teaching to the contraryagain, see Ephesians 1:13-14). Both young and old, male and female, rich and poor (2:28-29), and we might also add Jew and Gentile (in light of Peter's commentary in Acts 2:39 and Paul's words in Galatians

3:14,28). The old men will not be forgotten; the youth will not be despised; the women will not be marginalized; the servants will not be overlooked. There are no favorites with God; there is no partiality with God (Acts 10:34). IT'S EXTENT:
QUESTION: Was this coming of the Spirit something that would happen as a one-time event, or was it something that would be ongoing? . . .The ANSWER is Both:

1. A ONE-TIME promise fulfilled at Pentecost:

*Clear from the event recorded in Acts 2 and Peter's words.

2. A CONTINUAL reality believers are to pursue:

*IMPLIED in Joel 2:29: I will pour out My Spirit in those days (rather than in that day). *ILLUSTRATED in the description of the Spirit's work in Joel 2:23: the early and latter rain. *CLEAR from the exhortations of Scripture (Ephesians 5:18; 2 Timothy 1:6, etc).

APPLICATIONS: We are not to seek new Pentecosts. Pentecost has already come. But we are commanded to call upon God to do the work He has promised to do through His Spirit, both personally and corporately in the church:
*PERSONALLY: We are to continually be filled with the Spirit. Jesus' instruction in Luke 11:13 is not only a once-for-all principle for conversion. We are called to continually be crying out to Him for fresh fillings of His Holy Spiritknowing that even as Christians we can do absolutely nothing apart from Him (John 15:4). Count on it: any and all ministry we do apart from the Spirit is totally worthless. *CORPORATELY: God wants us to ask Him to send His Spirit in powerful ways to the church (Ezekiel 36:37-38; 37:9-10; Zechariah 10:1). Revival in the church and the expansion of the kingdom starts with Himand He pours out His Spirit in fresh ways when His people ask Him to. . .Are we asking?

IT'S PURPOSE (Let us be reminded):

*To CONFORM His people into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). *To MARK His people as His own (Ephesians 1:13-14). *To TEACH His people His Word (Psalm 119:18; John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-19). *To GUIDE His people in the Truth (John 16:13). *To ASSURE His people of their standing (Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:24; 4:13). *To EMPOWER His people for mission (Isaiah 61:1-3; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:4-8).

Covenant CURSES and BLESSINGS:

COVENANT CURSES were the PRESENT REALITY:

As we have seen, the true background to the book of Joel is the covenant curses of Leviticus 26 (see section on Repentance). Joel links the locust plague, fires, and drought with the beginning of the end for God's people because this is what is presented in Leviticus 26and if there is still no unrepentance, you can be sure that exile is next in line as the only possible outcome. God's judgments were like labor pains, intensifying in degree every contraction. The contractions of Joel's day are so intense that Joel foresees the birth of judgment to be extremely near.

COVENANT BLESSINGS were the FUTURE PROMISE:

*The NATURE of the promised covenant blessings:

A cataclysmic reversal of the covenant curses. . .

Covenant 1:3 1:4 1:5 1:6 1:7 1:8 1:9 1:10 1:11 1:12 1:13 Curses Covenant 2:26 2:25 2:26 2:20 2:22 2:23 2:14 2:21-22; 2:24, 2:22 2:21,23 Blessings 19,24 27 *The OBJECTS of the promised covenant blessings:

All who call upon the Lord in faith and true repentance (2:12-13; 32).
*The BASIS of the promised covenant blessings: The one thing Joel doesn't tell us is why God would lavish these covenant blessings on His people if they would return to Him. On what grounds? For what reason? On what basis will the Lord lavish such blessing upon His people in the latter days?

Galatians 3:13-14, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for usfor it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
JESUS is the basis of God's covenant blessings. On the cross, Christ took the covenant curse of the Law that was ours because of our disobedience, in order that we might become beneficiaries of the full blessing of God through the Spirit. The Savior drank down every last drop of the cup of God's wrath, in order that we might be given the bottomless cup of God's blessing. He was cursed for us, that we might be blessed in Him.

HOW TO INTERPRET the Covenant Curses and Blessings:

COVENANT CURSES AND BLESSINGS IN THE BOOK OF JOEL The BASIS of The SIGNS of NEAR Fulfillment FAR Fulfillment Covenant God's mercies Barrenness, Curses (in Christ) drought and plague Judgment of exile Eternal judgment rejected Covenant God's mercies Fruitfulness, Deliverance from Deliverance from Blessings (in Christ) abundance and life exile eternal judgment accepted

The APPLICATIONS:
*Rejoice in the FINISHED WORK of the CROSS of Christ (2:21; Psalm 103:10).

Don't be afraid anymore of PUNISHMENTChrist was punished in full for you.

*Rejoice in the PRESENT BLESSINGS of the SPIRIT of Christ (2:22-23; 3:18; John7:38).

Don't be afraid anymore of BARRENNESSChrist has promised blessing through you.

*Rejoice in the FUTURE PROMISES of the WORD of Christ (2:24-26; Psalm 23:6).

Don't be afraid anymore of THE FUTUREChrist has promised goodness to you.

*Rejoice in the EVERLASTING HERITAGE of the SERVANTS of Christ.

Don't be afraid anymore of being PUT TO SHAMEChrist has promised everlasting honor to you (2:19,26-27; Isaiah 45:17; 54:4).

The CHURCH of God

Both CHOSEN BY grace and RESPONSIVE TO grace:
*They are saved because THEY CALLED on the Lord (v32a). *They called on the Lord because THE LORD HAD FIRST CALLED them (v32b). *APPLICATION: Joel teaches on the election while at the same time inviting sinners to come to Christ with the free offer of the gospel to alland in the same verse (see also John 6:37; 1 Peter 2:8)!! And so should we. Some of us may yet think we are Christians because we chose Jesusas Philip mistaking thought it was he who found Jesus (John 1:43-45!)but Scripture tells us otherwise. Others twist their Calvinism into something Calvin never taught or the Scriptures for that mattermaking election a qualification for belief rather than a comfort for believers as Scripture presents it. Let us follow the Scriptures in both affirming the doctrine of predestination yet freely inviting all who are thirsty to come and drink.

One CORPORATE BODY made up of INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS:

*INDIVIDUAL:

1. SAVING FAITH must be personal (2:32). 2. THE FINAL JUDGMENT will be personal (3:13-14). 3. LIFESTYLE REPENTANCE is to be personal (2:13). QUOTE: Alone you stood before God when he called you; alone you had to answer that call; alone you had to struggle and pray; and alone you will die and give an account to God. You cannot escape from yourself; for God has singled you out. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together.
*CORPORATE:

1. JUDGMENTS are sent corporately to the whole church (Chapter 1).

2. REVIVALS are sent corporately to the whole church (2:18-27). 3. CRYING OUT TO THE LORD in confession and intercessory prayer is to happen corporately as a whole church (1:13-14; 2:15-17). APPLICATION: We are too individualistic in the west, and it stains our view of the church. We think if we are seeking God personally we are in the right and God will bless us. But we forget we are a single member of body. In a very real sense our personal spiritual health depends on the health of the whole body. Surely there were a few faithful healthy and repentant believers in Joel's daybut judgment was sent to this church because the whole was off their course. Let us then be those who labor and intercede for the health of our churches. Christ's answer to Cain's question is yeswe are our brother's keeper. Both VISIBLE and INVISIBLE:
It is clear from Chapter 2 that there were at least someprobably manyamong the Old Testament people of God in Joel's day that were part of the church but not yet truly part of Christ (cf. Isaiah 10:22). According to Joel, unless there was a wide-scale turning to the Lord in repentance, the day of the Lord would be a day of terror, torment, and destruction for most in the covenant community rather than a day of comfort and rest (1:15; 2:1-2). The implication from Joel's sober words of warning to the people of God in his day is that not everyone in the church is truly born again. There are goats as well as sheep. Not everyone who calls Him, Lord, Lord, really knows and follows Him. Not everyone who professes Christ is safe from the coming wrath of God. Not all who are part of the Visible Church have truly entered into the fold of Christ through the narrow gate, the Church Invisible. Let us heed Joel's warnings, and make certain that we truly do belong heart and soul to Christ.

Now MILITANT but one day TRIUMPHANT:

*NOW MILITANT: The Old Testament suffered much at the hands of their enemies. Sometimes it was because of their continued disobedience, but sometimes it wasn't. Joel paints both pictures it seems. On the one hand, we see that the exile was coming to God's people because of their unrepentant sin, but we also read in Joel 3:19 of innocent blood being shed in the land of Judah. It is the same truth in the New Testament. The church of Christ will suffer in this life at the hands of her enemies, even when she is following her Lord (cf. Romans 8:35-36). For the saints there is suffering before glory; a cross before a crown. *SOON TRIUMPHANT: But as we read in Joel Chapter 3, one day she will be vindicated. She will be clothed with everlasting honor and her enemies will be put to shame. The church suffered on the earth, but her enemies will suffer eternally. The church was disciplined for a short time in this life but the ungodly will enter into an eternal discipline when they pass into the next life. The church mourns now, but one day she will be comforted. Her enemies triumph over her now, but one day she will be vindicated. Now we suffer, yes. But. . .
There's a land where our shackles turn to diamonds. Where we trade in our rags for a royal crown. In that place, our oppressors hold no power, And the doors of the King are flown wide. 5

*APPLICATION: Do you live in this reality? Is this hope a feast for your soul? Let Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 sink deeply into your soul: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For
5 From Caedmon's Call, Mother India.

momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Seeing CHRIST in Joel

Joel shows us the CHARACTER of Christ. We see throughout the book of Joel that the Lord is always willing to receive sinners, but He has no toleration for sin. His arms are totally open to receive any guilty sinner who will come home to Him, but He will one day judge all those who refused His offers of mercy. He's good but He's not safe. He is merciful but only on His own terms. Joel points us to the coming JUDGMENT DAY of Christ (2:1-11; 3:1-17). It is Jesus who will one day judge the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31-33). Are we reconciled to Him? Are we ready for Him? Joel foretells the coming of the SPIRIT of Christ (2:28-29):
*A PROPHESYING of the outpouring of the Spirit UPON His people (2:28-29). After His ascension, Christ poured out the Holy Spirit upon His people. We have incredible privileges as New Testament believersprivileges that only a few Old Testament saints experienced. *A DESCRIPTION of the outpouring of the Spirit THROUGH His people (2:22-27; 3:18). The blessing and abundance Joel speaks of in these passages was not only literally fulfilled in the restoration from exile, but is to be understood metaphorically as the richness of abundance and life we have in the Spirit. It was perhaps to Joel's words in 3:18 that our Savior alluded to when He said, He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).

Joel teaches us the WAY to COME to Christ (1:14; 2:12-13, 32). This is especially evident from Paul's quoting of Joel 3:32 in Romans 10:13. There Paul clearly links Joel's exhortation to call on the Lord as an exhortation for men to call upon Christ. Men must come to Christ if they would be saved, and they come to Christ by returning to Him in true repentance and calling upon His name (2:12-13; 3:32).

LESSONS GLEANED from Joel

Calamities of this life are meant to teach us to look to the far more horrific calamity of the impending day of the Lord (Chapters 1-2). Joel saw in the locust plague another imminent disaster that would be far more horrific. Likewise did our Savior in Luke 13:1-5. When the earth is struck with calamity, let it remind us of the much greater calamity that is coming upon those yet in their sins. God's people are called to be those who are sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). They are called to be those who weep (1:1-13; 2:17): the gospels and New Testament epistles make clear that we are to be a weeping people as well as a rejoicing people (Matthew 5:4; Acts 20:19). We are to mourn over our remaining sin (Romans 7:21-24; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10), barrenness or plague in the church (Ezekiel 9:4-5), and the plight of those yet outside of Christ (Romans 9:1-3). We are also commanded to rejoice in the Lord always (2:21-27; Philippians 3:1): Christians are not to carry about them either a flippant levity or a morose despondency. They are to have about them a sort of joyful solemnity, sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). Prayer matters (1:14; 2:16-20). Do you long for revival? Do you desire to seek awakening? Does your church need renewal? Then bring back the discarded weekly prayer meetings and give them the honor and esteem God has placed on them. I believe that Scripture is very clear here: restoration

of the corporate body crying out to God in prayer will usher in restoration in the church and in the land. It is clear in Joel that seeking the Lord was the appointed means of escaping the coming judgment and obtaining the favor of God. There was a certainty in it: If His people would seek Him, He would relent and again have pity on His people (vv17-18). It has been said that the purpose of prayer is not to change what God will do but to change us. Don't believe it for a second. Yes, God has foreordained everything. But it has pleased Him to ordain prayer as the means by which He will usher in His appointed outpourings of revival in the earth. And the opposite is also true: no prayer, no promise. The most tragic verse in all the Old Testament, I believe, is what we read in Ezekiel 22:30: I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Lessons Gleaned regarding the MINISTRY in particular:

*Ministers are called to show unconverted sinners that they are under the curse of God. This is exactly what Joel did, demonstrating to the Judeans that the day of the Lord was coming and they were unpreparedfor God's dealings with them evidenced they were under the curse of God rather than His pleasure (according to Leviticus 26). Faithful watchmen must warn their cities of coming dangerand faithful ministers must warn the unrepentant of the coming wrath yet doing this for a purposeto freely invite them to the life and blessing in the Savior. *Ministers are called to teach and preach the whole counsel of God. We ought to note well how Joel labors to preach the whole counsel of God in his little volume of only three chapters. His preaching is filled with rebukes, admonishments, and warnings on the one hand, yet also encouragements, invitations, comforts, and promises on the other hand. He warns as well as comforts; he chastens as well as encourages; he lifts up the terrible threatenings of Scripture as well as its precious promises. Let us then follow Joel in feeding God's people with all the rich food of Scripturelest we malnourish them by keeping out of our preaching precious and needful truths from God's Wordwe must feed the sheep with the whole counsel of God. *Ministers are called to intercede for their people (1:13; 2:17). There are special exhortations in Joel for the priests and ministers of the people. They are to have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel upon their hearts continually. Just as Moses interceded for the people on the mountain, so ministers are called to intercede for the salvation of their people and of their lands. Samuel's words ought to be ours: Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. . . (1 Samuel 12:23). *Ministers must do themselves what they call others to do (1:19 with 1:13-14; 2:17). Joel doesn't just exhort the priests and leaders to call upon God on behalf of the people. Joel doesn't call upon them to do anything he himself is not doingfor we hear his own pleadings in 1:19, To You, O Lord, I cry. If you or I have not been affected or changed first by the message we preach, count on it being useless to our hearers. Paul made clear in his first letter to the Thessalonians that his power in preaching was directly connected with the way that he lived (1 Thessalonians 1:5). It is only the minister who is living out what he preaches to others that will have any lasting affect, for it will be said of him what was said of George Muller: That man not only preaches what he believes, but also what he lives. And in this, we learn one more truth. . . *Ministers will only have power in the pulpit to the degree they seek Christ in the closet (1:19; 3:11). I love this. Did you notice the prayers lifted up between Joel's discourses? We find them in 1:19 and 3:11. From these passages we see that Joel was not just a preacher in public. He was a desperate man on his knees before God in private. He prayed as well as preached and I have no doubt that it was his secret pleadings that gave him any power in the pulpit. In John 15:4-5 our Savior gives us two certaintieslet us mark them well: 1) if we fail to abide in Him we will not bear fruit (vv4-5); 2) if we do abide in Him we cannot but bear fruit (v5). Christ honors in public those who honor Him in private (Matthew 6:6).

FINAL APPLICATIONS from Joel

For those in the church who have never truly been born again. . . Joel 2:12-13; 32. Cry out to Jesus. He loves to save guilty sinners, and never turns away any who come to Him. For Christians who feel like they've been living in a season of spiritual drought or barrenness. . . Joel 2:12-13, 23 & 25. Cry out to Jesus. He is able to restore what the locusts have eaten and send the latter rains as well as the early. For Christians who have been mistreated or sinned against. . . Joel 3:1-17. Cry out to Jesus to help you forgive those who have wronged you, and trust in Him. He will make everything right on the last day. For ministers who sense the need for revival among their people. . . Joel 1:13,17. Cry out to Jesus. Hope for renewal is not found in our gifts or anything we can produce. Without the Spirit of Christ descending supernaturally even our preaching is in vainorthodox as it is (Psalm 127:1-2). If revival is to come, Jesus must send it. It is the Spirit of Christ that must fall upon His people again. He is able to make the pastures green again, the fig tree give its fruit, and the vats to overflow with new wine and oil. And He is willing to do so, if we would cry out to Him.

APPENDIX: A personal confession from Joel

What Joel has exposed that I need to repent of. . .
*I can go long in barrenness and drought before seeking the Lord about it. *My repentance often looks more like penance than evangelical repentance. *I find myself repenting more over sins others can see than sins others cannot see. *I live and feast so little on the promises given in repentance (IE, Joel 2:23,25). *I mourn little over my sin and I rejoice so little in my Savior and live so little in the reality of what He did for me. *I mourn and grieve so little over barrenness in the church. *I intercede so little for God's people as God calls me to in a special way as a minister. *My rejoicing is often so flippant and my sorrow is often joyless and without gospel hope. *I live little in the promised blessings of the Holy Spirit. *I live little in Holy Spirit expectation (IE, Joel 2:28-30). *I live so little in the reality that light, momentary affliction is producing a weight of glory far beyond all comparisonin the imminent reality and hope of His coming. *I feel that I really live out so little of what I know and teach. I am often afraid that though gifts have increased my graces have in some measure declined in recent times. My personal prayer and hope is for what Joel says in 2:23-25. Oh Lord, restore what I have lost through neglect. Oh Lord, for the latter rains, dear Jesus.

Reflections on Joel
Introduction: Whether Joel prophesied in Judea before Hosea and Amos prophesied in Israel, and foretells the plagues of locusts and drought which Amos laments (chapter 7), or after the Israelites were carried captive into Assyria, we cannot determine. His prophecy contains 1) A representation of Judea, as terribly plagued by swarms of locusts and other insects, and great drought, intermixed with calls to solemn repentance and promises of deliverance, chapter 1; 2:1-17. 2) Predictions of the glorious blessings to the gospel church in the apostolic and millennial periods, and of rain to her and the Jews' enemies, 2:28-32; chapter 3. Chapter 1 Summary: God's judgments and mercies ought to be carefully observed and remembered. Nor need we wonder if he deprive us of the mercies which we have sinfully abused, or make even the weakest insects victorious instruments of his wrath. It is hard to part with created comforts, once idolized. But certain is their shame who labor only for perishing provision; and sad their sorrow at last who place all their happiness in the delights of sense! Alas! How wide-spread is the havoc made by men's sins! And it is a lamentable case when poverty disqualifies for the public service of God. National judgments call for national humiliation and importunate prayers. And in the way of our duty we may hope that God will meet us in mercy. But hardened must that heart be which trembles not when God's judgments are everywhere before our eyes; and the very animals around us bewail the disaster. Yet God's ministers must be deeply affected themselves, even though they cannot affect their hearers. Chapter 2 Summary: It is very needful that ministers should warn sinners of the fatal consequences of their conduct. But the rareness of tremendous judgments wonderfully discovers the infinite patience and mercy of God. How dangerous is it to rebel against Jehovah, who by a nod can muster even an army of insects able to ruin the mightiest nations on earth! No one can either withstand, support under, or flee from his incensed wrath. And but little comfort can the luminaries of heaven afford us when their Maker frowns. Extraordinary judgments call to extraordinary fasting and prayer; and all private joys ought to give place to public sorrows for sin or its fruits. In all solemn worship ministers ought to lead the way, and every penitent should be careful to perform whatever may prevent the reproach of Christ and his church, and promote the plentiful and purer enjoyment of his ordinances as a principal benefit. But no fasting can avail us unless the heart be broken and melted by God's kindness, and turned to him. Mercy is all we need ask; and his glory, as interested in our salvation, is a sufficient plea. He will certainly hear when his people cry; and he can easily remove our plagues, renew our comforts, and give us a heart to give him the glory of his work. An abundance of outward comforts are a great mercy when by them our hearts are enlarged in love and thankfulness to God the bestower. And especially when, together with them, our spiritual knowledge and faith are increased. By the most gracious, almighty, and awful exertions of power, is Jesus' kingdom erected in the world or in the hearts of men. And thrice happy are they, in the worst of times, who are interested in his everlasting salvation. Rejoice then, you Gentiles, that by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven you are admitted members of his gospel church,; and that, though clouds and darkness be round about him in the destruction of Jews, heathens, and anti-christians, yet mercy and truth go before his face. Chapter 3 Summary: The most kind and obliging often find others unkind and unneighborly. And no sweetness of temper or conduct can soften the enmity of the wicked. But dreadful is their danger who injure the people of God; for without fail, and in great fury, especially at the last day, will God reckon with them. But when wicked men are cast down, believers shall be lifted up in comfort, holiness, and safety. How delightful shall this world be when all the corners of it shall be filled with the knowledge, glory, and grace of the Lord! And still more happy in the eternal state, in which God and the Lamb shall be all and in all.

John Brown's