Day 343

Joel 1:1–3:21; Revelation 1:1-20; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 29:18

AS WE CONTINUE through the Minor Prophets, we read the book of Joel in its entirety today. No one really knows who Joel was. Although there are other people in the Bible with the same name, scholars do not believe any of those people are the author of this prophetic book. Joel shares a similar language style with other prophets, like Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Amos, Micah, and Zephaniah. Some scholars have argued that Joel may be the work of more than one prophet, while others consider the similarities to be a by-product of shared culture and tradition.

Joel doesn’t give historical clues within the text either. This makes dating the book very difficult, and many have come to different conclusions over the centuries. In very general terms, Joel has been dated 500–800 BC. Scholars have long held that dating the book is unnecessary for it to retain its impact, however.

Joel wrote of a vast horde of locusts that invaded the land and obliterated all vegetation, including the crops. A great famine followed this plague, and Joel used this natural disaster as a backdrop to call the children of Israel to repentance. Most scholars consider the locust invasion to be an actual event, rather than an allegory —even though Joel used the event to speak an apocalyptic, prophetic message of judgment.

As is the case with much of the Bible, Joel’s words were intended to reveal a fork in the road, a choice to be made. The path of repentance would lead to blessing and restoration, while rejecting God would lead to “that great and terrible day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31).

Although the judgment described in Joel would certainly be great, the path of repentance would lead to an even greater restoration. Some of the most well-known and beautiful passages of restoration are found in the book of Joel. For example, Joel tells us, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28).

Let’s embrace the message in the book of Joel and consider the paths presented. No matter what the locusts have eaten, there is a path to restoration.

MEDITATION:

How joyful are those who fear the LORD —all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the LORD’s blessing for those who fear him.