Bulletin Articles
From Joel to Jesus
The book of Joel is a wonderful book of prophecy that you could easily sit down and read in a very short time. Joel focuses on three main themes of repentance, judgment, and restoration. The author of the book, believed to be the prophet Joel, calls the people of Judah to repentance and warns them of the impending judgment of God. Our book begins with a devastating locust plague that ravages the land, which Joel uses as a metaphor for the impending invasion of a foreign army. In Joel 1:4, he describes the locusts: "What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten." This imagery serves as a powerful warning of the destruction that is to come if the people do not turn back to God.
Joel then urges the people to repent and turn back to God in order to avoid the judgment that is to come. In Joel 2:12-13, he says, "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Joel calls for a solemn assembly and fasting, urging the people to seek the Lord with all their hearts.
Our prophet even emphasizes a call to battle and preparation for war. Theres a sense of urgency and readiness for the coming judgment and it shows just how serious things had gotten for the people of Judah. "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, 'I am a warrior.'" Joel 3:10. Despite the impending judgment, Joel also offers a message of hope and restoration. In Joel 2:28-29, he prophesies about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit." This promise of the outpouring of the Spirit offers hope for a future renewal and revival.
Let’s not forget the obvious connection to Christ that can be seen through the prophet’s message: Salvation for All! The call to turn back to God and seek forgiveness aligns with Jesus' message of repentance, obedience, and belief in Him as the way to salvation. In Joel 2:32, it says, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved," which emphasizes the universal offer of salvation through faith in Jesus. The small book of Joel serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience to God. It is a call to turn back to God and seek his forgiveness with the promise of restoration and blessing. When you get a chance, read the entire story in one sitting, what an impact!
