Key personalities are joel and the people of judah. Its hard know his exact time, because joel doesnt mention any other kings or prophets. For those who want to read and understand joel, this book is. The authors own translation of the original hebrew and versebyverse commentary. Bible commentary on the book of joel, introduction, by dr. This commentary serves as a valuable guide to the fascinating world and challenging word of these two prophets. Warren wiersbe writes the following in his introductory commentary on the book of joel.
Joel may well have been the first of the writing prophets. The book of joel centers on prophecies that joel made after the land of judah was afflicted with a severe drought and a plague of locusts. All of this points to a date of approximately 835 bc or soon after, making joel one of the earliest writing prophets, as well as a contemporary of the prophet elisha. Joel is bright and flowing, his imagery and language are fine driver, introduction to the literature of the old testament.
This commentary has been through advanced checking. Joel is referred to only once in the new testament acts 2. Joel was probably the first of the so called writing prophets. The first verse of this short book names joel jehovah is god the son of pethuel as author. It is impossible to be dogmatic about the date of the writing of joel bible knowledge commentary, vol. Summary of the book of joel the story of the bible. Joel tells us his fathers name, but he says nothing about himself.
I apologize for all the personal background, but it helps you understand the context for why the book of joel holds such a special place in my heart. Little is known about joel, a prophet from judah perhaps jerusalem. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains. Most scholars date the book after the exile to babylon 586 b. Each volume features an extensive introduction treating the biblical books authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. Introduction to joel by matthew henry blue letter bible.
Some scientists say the book has been written around 400 bc or even later. There have been many guesses as to the time of when joel lived. Joel has much to say about this future time of judgment. Amoss ringing indictmentscallous oppression, heartless worship and selfseeking gainhave periodically awakened the conscience of gods people. Verses 111 here we have god contending with his own professing people for their sins and executing upon them the judgment written in the law deu. Book of joel overview insight for living ministries. Both the book of hosea and the book of joel provide solid support for the dispensational position of maintaining a distinction. Best joel commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. The first chapter describes the desolation caused by an inroad of locustsone of the. Twentyfivehundred years after they were first born, those prophetic words never fail to awaken and arrest. Some students think that he wrote his book about 850 years before the birth of jesus. The author of the prophecy is identified only as joel the son of pethuel.
Joel sees the massive locust plague and severe drought devastating judah as a harbinger of the great and dreadful day of the lord. The greek septuagint lxx, and latin vulgate versions follow the hebrew masoretic text, titling this book after joel the prophet, the recipient of the message from god 1. A new translation with introduction and commentary, vol. Drawing upon a thorough analysis of the book s grammar and philology, literary forms and context, religious and social situation, and historical setting, crenshaw offers the most informed and uptodate commentary available. Locusts are similar to grasshoppers and can congregate in swarms of millions of insects, stripping bare crops, trees, and grass in their path. You can find the best commentary on joel for you using the tools on the right side. These prophecies tell of many signs to precede the second coming of the savior, especially a great outpouring of the spirit upon all flesh see joel 2. The cause of gods people is pleaded against their enemies, whom god would in due time reckon with joel 3. Introduction to the book of the prophet joel joel, the son of pethuel, the second of the twelve minor prophets, was, as is said, of the tribe of reuben, and city of bethoran. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Some believe that internal evidence in the book of joel indicates that the book was. Its purpose was to call the southern kingdom to repentance or prepare for the coming judgment. However, this little book is like an atom bombit is not very big, but it sure is potent and powerful. Index introduction to the book of joel joel 1 joel 2 joel 3.
After a superscription ascribing the prophecy to joel son of pethuel, the book may be broken down into the. Title the greek septuagint and latin vulgate versions follow the hebrew masoretic text, titling this book after joel the prophet, the recipient of the message from god 1. The term indicates the short length of the text in relation to longer prophetic texts known as the major prophets. Ultimately the book of joel will find its fulfillment in the great tribulation, the time of jacobs trouble, preceding the judgment of the nations 3. Other students think that he wrote it about 330 years later than that. Obadiah sure retribution must overtake merciless pride.
The book of joel 8 page introductory commentary excerpt. The primary and secondary causes of a national crisis joel 1. Intro to joel biblica the international bible society. Both in ancient times and today, there was no way to stop them when they hit. An even greater judgment god used this locust judgment to point to an even greater judgment that would come in the future.
The key phrase in the book of joel is the day of the lord. Besides this very short message we do not know anything about the person and circumstances of joels life. A huge plague of locusts connected with a great drought gave the occasion for writing this book. Joels warnings joel 1 february 12 in its introductory notes on this prophecy, the nelson study bible states. One of the 12 minor prophets, joel penned most of his 73verse book in the form of a poem. Book of joel bible study chapter 1 locuts, destruction near. Joel s arresting imageryblasting trumpet, darkened sun and marching hostshas shaped the churchs eschatological vision of a day of wrath. Joel has grown up to be a godly young man, a man of the book, holding fast to faithful word titus 1. The word of the lord that came to joel the son of pethuel. This video is a brief introduction to the book of the prophet joel. For those who want to read and understand joel, this book is indispensable. While obadiah mentioned the terrifying event first obadiah 15, joels book gives some of the most striking and specific details in all of scripture about the day of the lorddays cloaked in darkness, armies that conquer like consuming fire, and the moon turning to blood. Check out my 3part teaching on how to do a bible study.
Joel, the son of pethuel, the second of the twelve minor prophets, was, as is said, of the tribe of reuben, and city of bethoran. From joel s arresting imagery to amoss ringing indictments, these prophetic words never fail to awaken and instruct their reader. All of the nicot volumes combine superior scholarship, an evangelical view of scripture as the word of god, and concern for the life of faith today. This makes joel a preexilic prophet, who served before the fall of the northern kingdom of israel 721 b. The genre of joel is narrative and prophetic oracle.
Joel 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. This chapter is the description of a lamentable devastation made of the country of judah by locusts and caterpillars. John a martin, an outline of joel, unpublished class notes in 304 preexlic and exilic prophets, dallas theological seminary, fall 1983, 1. Joel summary we hope that you find the joel summary from the kjv bible chapters and verses helpful to your bible studies and for references as a. The book of joel introduction to the book of joel in the bible. Joel introduction commentary commentary critical and. This theory of an early date of composition was, above all, strongly supported by the fact that no mention is made of. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. Heartbreaking, strange, and hopeful stories, these books are among the bibles most misunderstood. Confronted with this crisis, he calls on everyone to repent. In the two speeches that make up this book, joel uses an agricultural crisis to measure his audiences knowledge of its god, warn them of.
Study the bible online using commentary on joel introduction and more. Joel sees the massive locust plague and severe drought devastating judah as a harbinger of the great and dreadful day of the lord 2. Best commentaries and books on joel logos bible software. Joel introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of joel. Matthew henrys commentary on the whole bible old testament an exposition, with practical observations, of the book of joel joel exposition.
Joel s warnings joel 1 february 12 in its introductory notes on this prophecy, the nelson study bible states. Joel means jehovah is god, and it was a very common name. Some think that the prophet speaks of it as a thing to come and gives warning of it beforehand, as usually the prophets did of judgments coming. The book of joel is part of the hebrew bible, one of twelve prophetic books known as the twelve minor prophets.
The really important thing is that joel has a message from god. Joel with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Joel assured the people that through repentance they would again receive the blessings of god guide to the scriptures, joel. Mar 14, 2017 this video is a brief introduction to the book of the prophet joel. Forerunners proclaiming the coming of jesus page 01 1. Drawing upon a thorough analysis of the books grammar and philology, literary forms and context, religious and social situation, and historical setting, crenshaw offers the most informed and uptodate commentary available. Aug 21, 2019 a brief introduction to the book of joel. From joels arresting imagery to amoss ringing indictments, these prophetic words never fail to awaken and instruct their reader. Study the books of hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, and jonah with pioneering old testament scholar douglas stuart.
This commentary serves as a valuable guide to the fascinating world and challenging word of. Joel may be reckoned among the classics of hebrew literature. The book of joel also makes ample mention of priests, temple rituals, and nations, such as phoenicia, philistia, egypt, and edom, that were prominent in the late ninth century bc. Joel calls the inhabitants of judah and jerusalem to lament and return to the lord during a time of national disaster. In the two speeches that make up this book, joel uses an agricultural crisis to measure his audiences knowledge of its god, warn them of a worse disaster if they ignore his preaching, and express his conviction that all faithful judahites would someday enjoy a secure future.
Book of joel bible study chapter 1 locuts, destruction. The second major problem in the book concerns the fulfillment of joel 2. Joel meaning one to whom jehovah is god, that is, worshipper of jehovah seems to have belonged to judah, as no reference occurs to israel. William foxwell albright and david noel freedman new york. David allan hubbard shows how joel and amos addressed israels mind and heart. Promises are made of the return of mercy upon their repentance joel 2. Joel judgment precedes israels future spiritual revival. Douglas stuart, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1987, 588 pp. Top 5 commentaries on the book of joel ligonier ministries.
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