Meet the Minor Prophets (Part Two)
Joel
Hosea is followed by the three-chapter book of Joel, which may well be the earliest of the Minor Prophets, although it cannot be dated with any confidence. Although modern critical scholars make Joel a contemporary of Haggai and Zechariah, conservative commentators often place his ministry in the reign of Joash, who ruled Judah for much of the late ninth century BC (c. 835-796). As II Kings 11 and 12 relate, Joash was placed on the throne at age seven in a coup that rid the kingdom of his evil grandmother, Queen Athaliah. His uncle, Jehoiada the priest, functioned as regent and chief counselor of the young king, so that as long as Jehoiada remained alive, Joash did well. However, as soon as the good priest died (at age 130!), Joash apostatized. He died by assassination in his bed at the hands of his own servants (see II Chronicles 24).
If the conservative view is correct, this was the atmosphere when Joel prophesied in Judah (this conclusion is derived from the fact that he mentions "Israel" only twice, while speaking of Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, and the Valley of Jehoshaphat more frequently). This makes him a contemporary of the prophet Elisha, whose ministry centered in Israel. Some believe that Joel was also a priest due to his call for the priests to mourn and consecrate a fast in repentance (Joel 1:13-14) to beseech Yahwah to spare His people (Joel 2:17).
Joel is the son of (PP) Pethuel ("Yahwah delivers"), but of him and his father we know little else for sure. His name, a popular one among Israelites (Scripture mentions at least thirteen men named Joel), means (PP) " Yahwah (is his) Elohim," a name that fits in well with the themes of his book. He shows that Yahwah is in control of nature and of history, and in light of Yahwah's overwhelming power, Joel calls his countrymen to repentance.
The most striking aspect of Joel is his use of a devastating locust plague to picture the destruction of the coming Day of Yahwah, a central idea in his prophecy. Judah had been laid waste as successive waves of locusts devoured every bit of greenery in the land (PP) Joel 1:4, 7. He proclaims it to be a divine judgment on the sins of His people, and he urges them to humble themselves and seek forgiveness.
Chapter 2 uses similar language, ramping up the martial imagery, foreshadowing the specter of the real armies that will march over the earth during the Day of Yahwah. Again, Joel takes the opportunity to declare the need for the people to
(PP) . . . rend your heart, and not your garments; return to Yahwah your Elohim, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him . . . ? (Joel 2:13-14)
The third chapter takes the reader to the actual Day of Yahwah—far in Joel's future but on our near horizon—prophesying of the gathering of all nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat near Jerusalem for judgment. The timing shown in (PP) Joel 3:15 parallels the wonders that occur at the return of Messiah Yahwah, as shown in (PP) Matthew 24:29. Then and there, Yahwah will show who is really in control, defeating His enemies and setting up His Kingdom.
Joel is quoted in the New Testament by the apostle Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost in AD 31 (PP) Acts 2:17-21. Peter had just seen Yahwah manifest His Spirit on his fellow disciples in the sound of a mighty wind and in tongues of flame, and Joel's words in (PP) Joel 2:28 immediately sprang to mind: (PP) "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel actually speaks of a yet future day when Yahwah's Spirit will be available to all, but this Pentecost miracle typifies the power of Yahwah's gift to His elect.
Over the next few weeks, we will meet the remaining ten prophets and examine their helpful and ultimately encouraging prophecies.
Joel
Hosea is followed by the three-chapter book of Joel, which may well be the earliest of the Minor Prophets, although it cannot be dated with any confidence. Although modern critical scholars make Joel a contemporary of Haggai and Zechariah, conservative commentators often place his ministry in the reign of Joash, who ruled Judah for much of the late ninth century BC (c. 835-796). As II Kings 11 and 12 relate, Joash was placed on the throne at age seven in a coup that rid the kingdom of his evil grandmother, Queen Athaliah. His uncle, Jehoiada the priest, functioned as regent and chief counselor of the young king, so that as long as Jehoiada remained alive, Joash did well. However, as soon as the good priest died (at age 130!), Joash apostatized. He died by assassination in his bed at the hands of his own servants (see II Chronicles 24).
If the conservative view is correct, this was the atmosphere when Joel prophesied in Judah (this conclusion is derived from the fact that he mentions "Israel" only twice, while speaking of Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, and the Valley of Jehoshaphat more frequently). This makes him a contemporary of the prophet Elisha, whose ministry centered in Israel. Some believe that Joel was also a priest due to his call for the priests to mourn and consecrate a fast in repentance (Joel 1:13-14) to beseech Yahwah to spare His people (Joel 2:17).
Joel is the son of (PP) Pethuel ("Yahwah delivers"), but of him and his father we know little else for sure. His name, a popular one among Israelites (Scripture mentions at least thirteen men named Joel), means (PP) " Yahwah (is his) Elohim," a name that fits in well with the themes of his book. He shows that Yahwah is in control of nature and of history, and in light of Yahwah's overwhelming power, Joel calls his countrymen to repentance.
The most striking aspect of Joel is his use of a devastating locust plague to picture the destruction of the coming Day of Yahwah, a central idea in his prophecy. Judah had been laid waste as successive waves of locusts devoured every bit of greenery in the land (PP) Joel 1:4, 7. He proclaims it to be a divine judgment on the sins of His people, and he urges them to humble themselves and seek forgiveness.
Chapter 2 uses similar language, ramping up the martial imagery, foreshadowing the specter of the real armies that will march over the earth during the Day of Yahwah. Again, Joel takes the opportunity to declare the need for the people to
(PP) . . . rend your heart, and not your garments; return to Yahwah your Elohim, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him . . . ? (Joel 2:13-14)
The third chapter takes the reader to the actual Day of Yahwah—far in Joel's future but on our near horizon—prophesying of the gathering of all nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat near Jerusalem for judgment. The timing shown in (PP) Joel 3:15 parallels the wonders that occur at the return of Messiah Yahwah, as shown in (PP) Matthew 24:29. Then and there, Yahwah will show who is really in control, defeating His enemies and setting up His Kingdom.
Joel is quoted in the New Testament by the apostle Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost in AD 31 (PP) Acts 2:17-21. Peter had just seen Yahwah manifest His Spirit on his fellow disciples in the sound of a mighty wind and in tongues of flame, and Joel's words in (PP) Joel 2:28 immediately sprang to mind: (PP) "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel actually speaks of a yet future day when Yahwah's Spirit will be available to all, but this Pentecost miracle typifies the power of Yahwah's gift to His elect.
Over the next few weeks, we will meet the remaining ten prophets and examine their helpful and ultimately encouraging prophecies.
Meet the Minor Prophets (Part Two)
Joel
Hosea is followed by the three-chapter book of Joel, which may well be the earliest of the Minor Prophets, although it cannot be dated with any confidence. Although modern critical scholars make Joel a contemporary of Haggai and Zechariah, conservative commentators often place his ministry in the reign of Joash, who ruled Judah for much of the late ninth century BC (c. 835-796). As II Kings 11 and 12 relate, Joash was placed on the throne at age seven in a coup that rid the kingdom of his evil grandmother, Queen Athaliah. His uncle, Jehoiada the priest, functioned as regent and chief counselor of the young king, so that as long as Jehoiada remained alive, Joash did well. However, as soon as the good priest died (at age 130!), Joash apostatized. He died by assassination in his bed at the hands of his own servants (see II Chronicles 24).
If the conservative view is correct, this was the atmosphere when Joel prophesied in Judah (this conclusion is derived from the fact that he mentions "Israel" only twice, while speaking of Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, and the Valley of Jehoshaphat more frequently). This makes him a contemporary of the prophet Elisha, whose ministry centered in Israel. Some believe that Joel was also a priest due to his call for the priests to mourn and consecrate a fast in repentance (Joel 1:13-14) to beseech Yahwah to spare His people (Joel 2:17).
Joel is the son of (PP) Pethuel ("Yahwah delivers"), but of him and his father we know little else for sure. His name, a popular one among Israelites (Scripture mentions at least thirteen men named Joel), means (PP) " Yahwah (is his) Elohim," a name that fits in well with the themes of his book. He shows that Yahwah is in control of nature and of history, and in light of Yahwah's overwhelming power, Joel calls his countrymen to repentance.
The most striking aspect of Joel is his use of a devastating locust plague to picture the destruction of the coming Day of Yahwah, a central idea in his prophecy. Judah had been laid waste as successive waves of locusts devoured every bit of greenery in the land (PP) Joel 1:4, 7. He proclaims it to be a divine judgment on the sins of His people, and he urges them to humble themselves and seek forgiveness.
Chapter 2 uses similar language, ramping up the martial imagery, foreshadowing the specter of the real armies that will march over the earth during the Day of Yahwah. Again, Joel takes the opportunity to declare the need for the people to
(PP) . . . rend your heart, and not your garments; return to Yahwah your Elohim, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him . . . ? (Joel 2:13-14)
The third chapter takes the reader to the actual Day of Yahwah—far in Joel's future but on our near horizon—prophesying of the gathering of all nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat near Jerusalem for judgment. The timing shown in (PP) Joel 3:15 parallels the wonders that occur at the return of Messiah Yahwah, as shown in (PP) Matthew 24:29. Then and there, Yahwah will show who is really in control, defeating His enemies and setting up His Kingdom.
Joel is quoted in the New Testament by the apostle Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost in AD 31 (PP) Acts 2:17-21. Peter had just seen Yahwah manifest His Spirit on his fellow disciples in the sound of a mighty wind and in tongues of flame, and Joel's words in (PP) Joel 2:28 immediately sprang to mind: (PP) "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel actually speaks of a yet future day when Yahwah's Spirit will be available to all, but this Pentecost miracle typifies the power of Yahwah's gift to His elect.
Over the next few weeks, we will meet the remaining ten prophets and examine their helpful and ultimately encouraging prophecies.
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