JOEL, BOOK OF
An inspired book of the Hebrew Scriptures written by “Joel the son of Pethuel.” (Joel 1:1) Virtually nothing is known about this prophet’s life. From his references to Judah, Jerusalem and Jehovah’s house there, it may be inferred that he prophesied in Judah and perhaps resided in Jerusalem. (Joel 1:9, 14; 2:17, 32; 3:1, 2, 16-20) The fact that he mentioned the “low plain of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2, 12) implies that he wrote his book after Jehoshaphat began ruling. But the exact period involved is in question.
TIME OF WRITING
Scholars variously assign the book of Joel dates before 800 B.C.E. or after 500 B.C.E. Regarding their arguments in favor of a late or an early composition for the book, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Vol. III, p. 1690) observes: “Many of the arguments adduced are of a negative kind, i.e. consideration of what the prophet does not mention or refer to [including the Chaldeans, the Assyrians, a Judean king and the ten-tribe kingdom], and the argument from silence is notoriously precarious.” Similarly, whether Joel quoted other prophets or was quoted by them cannot be established with certainty. A date after the Babylonian exile would be indicated if Joel (2:32) quoted Obadiah (17). On the other hand, not only Obadiah, but even the much earlier prophet Amos (compare Joel 3:16 with Amos 1:2) may have quoted from Joel. This would mean that Joel must have written his book no later than the time of Uzziah (Amos 1:1), perhaps about 820 B.C.E. Though not conclusive, the place occupied by the book of Joel in the Hebrew canon between Hosea and Amos seems to favor the earlier period.
AUTHENTICITY
The Jews did not question the canonicity of the book of Joel but placed it second among the “Minor Prophets.” It also harmonizes completely with the rest of the Scriptures, as evident from the numerous parallels between Joel and other Bible books. (Compare Joel 2:2 with Zephaniah 1:14, 15; Joel 2:4, 5, 10 with Revelation 9:2, 7-9; Joel 2:11 with Malachi 4:5; Joel 2:12 with Jeremiah 4:1; Joel 2:13 with Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:15, and 106:45; Joel 2:31 with Isaiah 13:9, 10, Matthew 24:29, 30, and Revelation 6:12-17.) The fulfillment of Joel’s prophecies furnishes yet another argument for its authenticity. As foretold, Tyre, Philistia and Edom experienced Jehovah’s judgments. (Joel 3:4, 19; for details, see EDOM, EDOMITE; PHILISTIA, PHILISTINES; TYRE.) On the day of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E. the apostle Peter showed that the outpouring of God’s spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21) Later, the apostle Paul applied the prophetic words found at Joel 2:32 to both Jews and non-Jews who call upon Jehovah in faith.—Rom. 10:12, 13.
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
I. Jehovah’s word about a severe insect plague (1:1-14)
A. A plague so great as to be talked about for generations to come (1:1-4)
1. Drunkards to wake up, howl and weep because devastation by numberless “nation” strips land bare, cutting off supply of sweet wine (1:5-8)
2. Wheat, barley, vine and trees affected to such an extent that grain offering and drink offering cease at Jehovah’s house, causing priests to mourn (1:9-12)
B. Priests urged to put on sackcloth, sanctify time of fasting, assemble older men to Jehovah’s house and cry to Him for aid (1:13, 14)
II. “The day of Jehovah is near” (1:15-20)
A. Jehovah’s day marked by invasion of “his military force,” a numerous and mighty people resembling horses; ‘ahead of it a fire devours and behind it a flame consumes’ (2:1-11)
B. Call for all to come back to Jehovah with complete hearts, as he is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and will answer prayer of his repentant people (2:12-19)
1. Jehovah to disperse “northerner” in their behalf (2:20)
2. To bless his repentant people with abundant crops, make compensation for injury done by great military force of insects and afterward to pour out his spirit on every sort of flesh (2:21-29)
C. Portents in heavens and on earth to precede coming of Jehovah’s day (2:30, 31)
D. Those calling on Jehovah’s name to escape his fear-inspiring day (2:32)
III. When captives of Judah and Jerusalem restored, nations to be judged for violence done to them (3:1-3)
A. For selling Judeans, Tyre, Sidon and Philistia to have sons and daughters sold into hands of Judeans who, in turn, will sell them to men of Sheba (3:4-8)
B. Nations to prepare for war and come down to low plain of Jehoshaphat, there to experience winepress treatment (3:9-15)
1. Jehovah to protect his people when executing judgment upon nations (3:16)
2. Judgment resulting in his people coming to know him as their God and Jerusalem becoming a holy place with no strangers passing through (3:17)
C. Egypt to become a desolate waste and Edom a wilderness, but the land of Judah to produce abundantly and to be inhabited for time indefinite, the blood of its inhabitants being considered innocent by Jehovah (3:18-21)
See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 146-148.