Book of Joel

1. The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

2. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?

3. Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

4. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.

5. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

6. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

7. He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

A Call to Lamentation

8. Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

9. The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord; the priests, the Lord’s ministers, mourn.

10. The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

11. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

12. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

A Call to Repentance

13. Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

14. Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord.

15. Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

16. Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?

17. The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.

18. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

19. O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.

20. The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

1. For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

2. I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

3. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

4. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

5. Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

6. The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.

7. Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:

8. And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it.

The Lord’s Call to Battle

9. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

10. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

11. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.

12. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

The Valley of Decision

14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

15. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

16. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Blessings for God’s People

17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

18. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

19. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

20. But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

21. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.

The elders and inhabitants of the land play a significant role in the Book of Joel as recipients of God’s warning and call to repentance. They are instructed to witness the devastation caused by the locust plague, reflect on its spiritual implications, and pass down these lessons to future generations. The prophet appeals to these groups to lament, fast, and gather in repentance, acknowledging their shared responsibility in turning back to God.

The word “elders” (Hebrew: זְקֵנִים, Zeqenim) refers to the leaders or elders of Israel, symbolizing wisdom and authority. “Inhabitants of the land” (Hebrew: יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ, Yoshevei Ha’aretz) encompasses all the people, emphasizing collective accountability.

Description of Elders and Inhabitants

Shared Responsibility: The elders, as leaders, were to guide the people, while all inhabitants were urged to reflect on their sins and return to God.
Call to Lamentation: Joel implores both groups to recognize the gravity of the locust plague and its spiritual implications.
Generational Accountability: The message was to be passed on, ensuring future generations understood God’s warnings and faithfulness.

Historical Context of Elders and Inhabitants

• Social Structure: Elders held positions of influence and decision-making in ancient Israel, while inhabitants included farmers, priests, and other community members.
• Plague and Devastation: The locust plague and drought directly affected the land, uniting all people in shared suffering and dependence on God.
• Spiritual Crisis: The calamities served as a divine wake-up call, urging collective repentance and renewed covenant faithfulness.

Elders and Inhabitants in Joel’s Prophecy

Chapter 1:

• Witness to Destruction: The elders are asked, “Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?” (Joel 1:2).
• Call to Teach: The inhabitants are urged to tell their children and future generations about the locust plague (Joel 1:3).

Chapter 2:

• A Solemn Assembly: Both groups are called to fast, pray, and cry out to God, demonstrating collective repentance (Joel 2:15-16).

Chapter 3:

• Restoration Promised: Joel assures the people that God will judge the nations and restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, renewing hope for the elders and inhabitants alike.

Archaeological Insights

• Agricultural Reliance: Excavations in ancient Israel confirm the devastating impact locust plagues could have on communities dependent on farming.
• Cultural Practices: Findings of communal gathering spaces highlight the significance of assemblies called by leaders during times of crisis.
• Sacrificial Worship: Evidence of temple rituals underscores the role of priests and elders in leading national repentance.

The priests and ministers of the altar are central figures in the Book of Joel, tasked with leading the nation in repentance and intercession during a time of calamity. As spiritual leaders, they are called to mourn, weep, and cry out to God on behalf of the people, acknowledging their collective sin and seeking divine mercy. Their actions emphasize the importance of humility and devotion in restoring the covenant relationship between God and His people.

The term “priests” (Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים, Kohanim) refers to those responsible for temple sacrifices and rituals, while “ministers of the altar” (Hebrew: מְשָׁרְתֵי מִזְבֵּחַ, Meshartei Mizbeach) highlights their specific role in maintaining the sanctity of worship and offerings.

Description of Priests and Ministers

Intercessors for the People: The priests were called to stand between God and the nation, offering prayers and sacrifices.
Leaders in Mourning: They were tasked with visibly demonstrating grief and repentance, setting an example for the people.
Guardians of Worship: As ministers of the altar, their role was to ensure the proper observance of temple rituals, even in times of crisis.

Historical Context of Priests and Ministers

• Central Role in Worship: In ancient Israel, priests were integral to the spiritual life of the nation, mediating between God and His people through sacrifices and prayers.
• Impact of the Plague: The devastation described in Joel disrupted the offerings, highlighting the spiritual and practical consequences of the calamity.
• Call to National Repentance: The priests were expected to lead communal gatherings and call for fasting and prayer as acts of repentance.

Priests and Ministers in Joel’s Prophecy

Chapter 1:

• Call to Lament: “Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar” (Joel 1:13).
• Impact on Offerings: “The meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God” (Joel 1:13).

Chapter 2:

• Call for Intercession: “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar” (Joel 2:17).
• Prayer for Mercy: The priests are urged to cry out, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach” (Joel 2:17).

Archaeological Insights

• Temple Structures: Excavations of ancient altars and temple ruins provide insight into the setting where priests and ministers served.
• Sacrificial Practices: Findings of tools and vessels used in temple rituals illustrate the detailed processes involved in maintaining worship.
• Impact of Locust Plagues: Historical records confirm the devastating effects of locust plagues on agriculture, which directly impacted temple offerings.

Spiritual Significance for Priests and Ministers

• Role as Intercessors: The priests exemplified the need for spiritual leaders to guide communities in times of crisis.
• Call to Humility: Their mourning and prayers underscored the importance of humility in seeking God’s favor.
• Restoration of Worship: Joel’s prophecy emphasized the centrality of worship and the priesthood in restoring the nation’s relationship with God.

The Apostle Peter’s quotation of the prophet Joel in Acts 2:16-21 is one of the most significant uses of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament. Peter, addressing the crowd at Pentecost, declares that the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, which foretold God’s Spirit being poured out on all people in the "last days." This marks the beginning of the church age and highlights the universal accessibility of God’s grace and power through the Spirit.

Peter’s Quotation of Joel (Acts 2:16-21)

"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Peter applies this prophecy to the events at Pentecost, demonstrating the continuity between the Old Testament promise and its New Testament fulfillment.

Historical Context of Peter Quoting Joel

Pentecost (Acts 2):

• Event: The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in various languages, astonishing the gathered crowds.
• Interpretation: Peter declares this as the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, signaling the "last days" and the coming of God’s Spirit to all people.

Joel’s Original Prophecy:

• Time of Writing: Joel likely prophesied during a time of national crisis, calling Israel to repentance and promising restoration.
• Vision of the Spirit: Joel foresaw a future era when God’s Spirit would no longer be limited to specific individuals but poured out universally.

 Archaeological Evidence Supporting Joel’s Context

1. Ancient Winepresses and Agriculture: Excavations in Israel reveal ancient winepresses, olive presses, and grain storage facilities, underscoring the agricultural economy referenced in Joel’s descriptions of locust plagues and devastation.
2. Locust Plague Records: Archaeological findings and ancient writings confirm the periodic occurrence of locust plagues in the ancient Near East, lending credibility to Joel’s vivid imagery of destruction.
3. Temple Worship: Evidence from Jerusalem, including ritual vessels and altars, reflects the centrality of temple worship and the priesthood, key elements in Joel’s call for national repentance.
4. The Valley of Jehoshaphat: While the exact location remains debated, references to valleys as places of judgment align with ancient traditions and findings of fortified valleys in Judah.

Theological Significance of Peter Quoting Joel

1. The Universality of God’s Spirit:

• Joel’s prophecy, quoted by Peter, emphasizes that God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh—Jews and Gentiles, young and old, men and women alike.

2. The Beginning of the Church Age:

• Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Joel’s vision, inaugurating the spread of the Gospel and the inclusion of all nations in God’s redemptive plan.

3. Fulfillment of God’s Covenant Promises:

• Peter’s quotation highlights the continuity of God’s promises from the Old Testament, as Joel’s words find their fulfillment in Christ’s followers.

Key Themes in Peter’s Quotation of Joel

• Outpouring of the Spirit: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:17). This signifies the democratization of God’s Spirit, extending beyond prophets and leaders to all believers.
• Signs of the Last Days: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood” (Acts 2:20). Peter connects these cosmic signs with God’s eschatological timeline.
• Salvation for All: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). Joel’s prophecy affirms the inclusivity of salvation.

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