Ep 124 (S7E9) Joel - Part 1

References:Setting and background/context of JoelWho was Joel?When did Joel work as God’s Prophet?Some suggestions from the textTemple - JerusalemNo kings - ?Most likely post-exhile in the time of Ezra/NehemiahJoel shows familiarity with many other prophetsJoel never identifies any specific sin on Israel’s partHe announces God’s judgment, but doesn’t say why.Perhaps he assumes that the people, like himself, are familiar with the work of the other prophets.How is this short book layed out?Mirror image prophetic poems - sin leads to disasterCh 1 - a past Day of the LordCh 2 - vss 1-17 - a future Day of the LordCh 2 - vss 18-27 - God’s response - mercy leads to hopeGod’s defeat of enemiesGod’s restoration of the landGod’s presence among His peopleCh 2&3 - vss 2:28-3:21 - THE Day of the Lord - God’s Kingdom in its fullnessGod’s Spirit poured out - 2:28-32God’s defeat of evil among all nations - 3:1-16God’s renewal of all creation - 3:17-21Joel 1:1-4 - announcement of disasterThe mystery of v 4The four types of “locusts”Locust #1 גָּזָם (gaw-zawm)Locust #2 אַרְבֶּה (ar-beh’) most common in OTLocust #3 יֶלֶק (yeh'-lek) young locustLocust #4 חָסִיל (khaw-seel') A literal biological view - an infestation of desert locust described at each stage of its biological development from larvae to winged adultA political view - metaphor for four successive empires that invaded IsraelThe BabyloniansThe Medo-PersiansThe Greeks (Macedonians)The Romans A looking back - the 8th plague upon Egypt (Ex 10) has come upon IsraelTHE Day of the Lord view - Acts and Revelation draw from Joel’s imageryActs 2 - Pentecost: Peter says is a fulfillment of JoelRev 9:1-11 - the 1st terrorJoel 1:5-18 - a call to repentanceDrunkards, for there is no more wine, like a bride in black mourning her dead husbandPriests, farmers, leadersPut on sackcloth (burlap) שַׂק (sak)First mentioned in Gen 37:34 as Jacob mourned for his son JosephJoel 1:19-20 - Calling out to the Lord (an act of repentance)