The Prophet Joel
first off, we must ask, who is this guy? Answer: we do not really know. Well then, when did he prophesy? answer: we do not really know. ok, then Who was he writing to? answer: yup, you guessed it, we do not really know.
Now that is a semi-comical and not entirely accurate set up for this minor prophets writing (minor in length only not in doctrine or importance). Here are a few facts we are relatively certain about...
--probably written around 835 BC because there is no mention of king in his writings. Perhaps his warnings came during queen Athaliah and her wicked reign.
If we are accurate in thinking that Joel prophesied in 835 B.C. then the judgment he described came toward the end of the six-year reign of ungodliness under Queen Athaliah. No wonder God brought a heavy hand on Judah! When wickedness rules a country, God’s wrath is not far behind!
The real truth is, the following judgment is the result of residue left over from Israel's most wicked king, Ahab. (2 kings 11)
athaliah was Related to Ahab and seized power when her ruling son Ahaziah died. she then killed all her sons heirs, save one. one year old Joash was hidden by High priest Jehoiada. So she ruled in his stead until high priest Jehoiada set him on the throne and Had queen Athaliah killed. (2 ch 24)
2 Chronicles 24:2
Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.
Quick application point: Don’t listen to, trust that, or assume that your preacher is telling you the truth. Of course they PROBABLY are, but it is lazy spirituality, lazy Christianity and lazy sanctification to assume it. Study it yourself. the scripture above proves this because when joash's mentor (high priest jehoiada) died, he was left to his own devices and strayed.
the problem is if we rely on someone else’s righteousness, knowledge, guidance, etc. we never test our own hearts and when that influence departs, we realize we were not as well prepared to do battle against satan as we thought.
Joel was a pre-exilic prophet meaning he prophesied prior to the exile of the Jews to Babylon in about 600 b.c. Other pre-exilic prophets include Obadiah, Jonah, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. Joel is one of the earliest prophets – only Obadiah prophesied before his time (845 B.C.).
“The name Joel means ‘Jehovah is God’ or “YAHWEY is God”
scroll down to hear, download, and listen to the verse-by-verse teaching of this amazing prophet.
The Prophet Joel as depicted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel
| Joel chapter 1 |
| Joel 2: 1-18 |
| Joel 2: 19-32 |
| Joel Chapter 3 |