Introduction of Joel's book
Joel is the prophet of Judah who speaks about the temple, Jerusalem and Judah. He is a contemporary of Obadiah, before Jeremiah and Isaiah. He worked by 870 when the king Jehoash reigned over Judah, after the rescue of his uncle Jehoiada against the conspiracy of Athaliah who wanted establish the worship of Baal. He speaks about the calamities of grasshopers and famines, and interpretes it as God's will against Judah. The goal is that Israel be stripped of all and invited to turning to God beg him. The counting is the condition of his salvation. The book prophetically announces that one day this presence will be given to all people, because God will spread his spirit over all people, like the day of Pentecost (3 :1-2 ; Ac 2 :16-21)
Key verse: 1:15
THE DAY OF THE ETERNAL GOD APPROACHES
Joel's book begins with the calamity of grasshopers. Their power of destruction is formidable. Because they destroy those in its path. Joel says that this calamity announces the day of the Eternal God.
1. Invasion of insects (1-12)
Joel particularly addresses to the high priest, not to political class. It seems that in this time, the priestly power was leading, because the fate of the people depends on them. If they are corrupted, God, who haven't any individual consideration, will severely judge them. God is huddled before the door with formidable calamities. First, the grasshopers will come to ravage the fields. After their passage nothing will remain. The insects are like a nation of an army which invade the country (5). The high priests have nothing to offer because the fields are ransacked. There are not wine nor oil nor wheat, because there isn't harvest.
They are in tears. When this phenomenon happens the people must repent. First, the high priest must mourn because of their role, and they must proclaim fast to all the people, and must call for God's help in his house.
2. The day of the Eternal God (13-20)
This word "the day of the Eternal God" is used by Joel and Amos and it means the crisis which ends each period of the history or which ends the existence of each people (in a relative sense). This word also means the final crisis who ends the development of mankind on earth (in an absolute sense). God successively judges all that spreak out against him throughout history; but there are only partial and provisional judgments which announce the divine act when he will slaughter all which is high and he will elevate all which is oppressed. Joel see this day approaches, there will be the final jugdment of this people. In his opinion, the invasion of grasshopers announces it. There is the same phenomenon for the return of Christ. Before his second coming there will be a great calamity. As on longer-term, before the formidable judgment of fire and flame, Joel kneels and cries towards the heaven (19,20)
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