The Book of Joel

Joel addresses the two natural disasters that had recently occurred in the land and the ever-growing threat of a foreign military invasion of Judah. There was a three-fold purpose for his ministry: to summon the people and their leaders to gather for a time of deep, heartfelt prayer; to challenge the people to repent; and to humbly return to the Lord with fasting and prayer for God's mercy; and to record God's prophetic message of encouragement and blessing for those who sincerely repented.


Five major features characterize the book of Joel. 1. The language, form and use of images make it one of the most flowing and well-worded pieces of literature in the Old Testament. 2. It contains perhaps the most insightful Old Testament prophecy about the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all of humankind. 3. It records a number of national disasters - locust plagues, drought and famine, raging fires, foreign military invasions, disastrous signs in the heavens - that came as God's judgments for spiritual and moral corruption. 4. It teaches that throughout human history God sometimes works through such natural disasters and military invasions in order to lead people back into a right relationship with Him and to bring about spiritual revival. 5. It models a preacher who, because of his deep relationship with God and His spiritual reputation, is able to persuade God's people to genuinely repent as a nation - to turn back to God - at a critical time in their history. As a result, many positive results came to the people.


Several verses in Joel powerfully prepared the way for the New Testament message. The prophecy about the coming of the Holy Spirit is specifically quoted by Peter (Acts 2:16-21). Inspired in part by what Joel had said, Peter challenged the people to call out to the Lord and be saved.


There are both present and future dimensions to all of these New Testament references to Joel's prophecy. The gifts of the Spirit that began to flow through God's people at Pentecost are still available to Christ's followers today.