My chronological reading list has Joel next up. Even though it was probably written much earlier; it's the same topics as Ezekiel.
Author: Joel
- means Yahweh is God. God is sovereign in human history.
- MacArthur says the clue indicate he was not a Levite.
- However, the Talk through the Bible authors think his frequent references to the priests comes from the fact he was being foster by the high priest, Jehoiada. So he was saturated in their lives.
Date According to Ryrie: probably around 835 BC (This is ~250 before Ezekiel)
I'm guessing we're learning of this now because these prophesies are being fulfilled. I'm curious why it's in the chronology now.
Flashback to this period: We're back in II Kings 9–11. We're rotating through a plethora of bad kings in Israel. Elisha has anointed Jehu to take on the cabal of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehu murders Ahab's 70 sons after his victory. Then Jehu eradicated baal, its priests, temple, and followers. Because of this, the Lord granted him four generations on the throne. However, Jehu slipped back into the ways of Jeroboam—the original bad king of Israel. So God began cutting off portions of Israel and giving them to invaders.
Meanwhile, in Judah, Jehu had also killed one of Judah's kings. That king's mother-in-law thought this was her chance. and she killed all of the king's son, or she thought she did. One last child in the line of David was hidden and preserved, Joash (Jehoash). He was made king at 7 years old. This is the context for the timeframe of Joel.
Some say it was written in exile, but not specific invaders were named and other clues.
Joel is a prophet who served during a severe drought and pestilence.
It seems the reason it is placed here is a major theme is the Day of the LORD. The Lord intervenes in human affairs, particularly with Israel, including:
- The Day of the Lord
- The Great Tribulation
- The Second Coming of Christ
- the Millennium
End of days (eschatological) prophesies generally have near fulfillment in event in history related to the prophet that shone a light on what to expect in the ends times. The historical invasion in Joel's time was a type and shadow of the time to come. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (prophesied in Joel) gave us a taste of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the end times.
Repent before the disaster comes.
I'm excited to read what Joel saw and how it can help us all prepare for that great and terrible day.
Amen.