Bible Study Notes in Joel- Chapter 3

Joel 3



-A future event is prophesied with these time phrases, “in those days” and “at that time (Joel 3:1).” The future event is the restoration of the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem specifically. God will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat (area is unknown from this text, Jehoshaphat means judgment, this is the important concept the prophet is conveying). This is where God’s final judgment will come down in support of His people and His inheritance Israel. This refers not only to physical Israel, but also the spiritual Israel, which are all people from all nations who call on the Name of the LORD (Joel 2:32, Acts 10:34-35, 1 Peter 2:9). God will now bring into account those who scattered His people among the nations and divided up His promised land (Joel 3:2b). *Application* I believe this judgment parallels the third woe when the seventh trumpet is sounded in Revelation 11:15-19. God’s people will be saved, but the enemies of the LORD will perish in this great and awesome day of the LORD. It is described in Joel 3:14 as the valley of decision. We all have our choices to make. Whose side are we really on? “The LORD roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel (Joel 3:16).” The earth will know that He is the LORD God Almighty. Nothing will stand in His way. Blessings are for His people, but destruction for those who turn away from Him and refuse His grace and mercy. Our God dwells in Zion and His children will inhabit it with Him forever (Joel 3:20, Revelation 3:12; 21:1-8).

-Joel began with a prophecy about the destruction of the land and ended with a prophecy about its restoration. He stressed the need for repentance in the beginning and ended with the promise that those in Him would receive the forgiveness and protection that repentance brings. Joel was trying to convince the people to wake up, the sweet wine of His goodness was about to be cut off (Joel 1:5). In the end, the sweet wine drips off of the mountains again with His blessings (Joel 3:18). *Application* God wants us to get rid of our complacency and realize the danger of living apart from Him. While there is still time and a chance, call on His Name and be saved (Acts 2:21). This morning I forgot to put out the trash for the trash truck that comes by to pick up the garbage. If I had been watchful, alert, and prepared the filth of our waste would be gone. As it is, the time came for the truck to come and go and our trash was not in its proper pick up spot. I missed the opportunity because of my negligence and forgetfulness. This is a minor thing as we will have extra trash pile up this week and get it picked up at this time next week. But its analogy is worth considering. Our souls are a far more important matter. God’s desire is for us to turn back to Him while there is time and opportunity. Don’t delay in receiving Him and His goodness and blessings. Time will eventually run out for us all and we will be held accountable for every sin we’ve committed if Christ does not cover them by His blood (1 Peter 4:5, Revelation 1:5-6).



Verse to Memorize: Joel 3:2, 16

Bible Study Notes in Joel- Chapter 2

Joel 2



-The alarms are sounded for the day of the LORD is coming upon Zion and its inhabitants. It is a day of darkness and doom, a day of clouds and thick darkness as a mighty army comes like nothing ever seen before, nor will there be after it (Joel 2:2). This army is programmed with incredible discipline and fierce force with destruction and desolation left behind them. They carry out the word of the LORD in vengeance (Joel 2:11). *Application* When the LORD gives a prophecy it will be carried out. His word never fails. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).” O the devastating effects of turning away from the LORD.

-Yet He always gives us a chance to return to Him and bless us. The ray of hope is given beginning in verse 12 as we see God pleading for a return back to Him with fasting, weeping, and mourning. The LORD wants the heart rent in two rather than the traditional outward sign of rending clothes apart in anguish. He wants to show His grace and compassion. He is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relents of evil (Joel 2:13). There is a sliver of a chance that He could take pity and relent of the coming doom leaving a blessing behind Him (Joel 2:14). A gathering is prescribed with fasting and a solemn assembly to sanctify the congregation and a crying out for sparing them (Joel 2:15-17). *Application* God always leaves a way out of trouble and doom. The Word says He will never put on us more than we can handle. There will be a way out if we care to take it (1 Corinthians 10:13). God always has a way of escape for our endurance and well-being. Take His way today and be satisfied eternally with His presence.

-A change in fortune occurs in the prophecy beginning in verse 18. The LORD will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people. He will bless again after the destruction and malaise that has occurred. He will never again make them a reproach among the nations in this season, and He will remove the northern army far from them (Joel 2:19-20). The pastures will turn green again and the land will yield its produce (Joel 2:22). The rains will be plentiful in their season and the LORD will make up for the years the swarming locust has eaten (Joel 2:23-25). They will have plenty to eat and be satisfied praising the LORD their God and knowing that He is in their midst as no other (Joel 2:26-27). *Application* God is true to His promises and will come through even after He allows for misfortune. Stay reliant upon Him in the tests and trials of life and count on His provision through it all. It is His way of drawing us close to Him and letting us know our power is limited, but His is all sufficient. Trust in Him alone!

-This next section is quoted by Peter at the time of the Holy Spirit’s coming in Acts 2. I believe this to be a prophecy that has multiple applications in its fulfillment. God’s Spirit is no doubt poured out at Pentecost on the disciples. We are now experiencing the church age where the Gentiles are being gathered into the Kingdom of God as all the nations (Matthew 24:14, Luke 21:24-25, Romans 15:10-16). There is coming a time again when the Spirit will be poured out like never before as the day of the LORD approaches. Prophecy, signs and wonders, dreams, and visions will intensify with both male and female and wonders in nature will be displayed preceding the LORD’s return (Joel 2:30-31). *Application* It is important for us to remember Joel 2:32 in summation. Whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD will be delivered from the day of the LORD. There will be those who escape and there will be survivors whom the LORD calls. God’s way out should be taken while there is a chance and a hope. Otherwise, His wrath will be on you. Don’t delay, His return is sudden and will not be known (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, Revelation 3:3; 16:15).



Verses to Memorize: Joel 2:12-13, 28

Bible Study Notes in Joel- Introduction and Chapter 1

Joel 1



-Introduction: Joel, the son of Pethuel, records the word of the LORD in this short book primarily warning Judah of God’s impending judgment in the day of the LORD because of their sins and urging them to turn back to God before it is too late. Joel’s ministry goes from approximately 835 BC to 796 BC and little is known of this prophet other than what is given in the Scriptures. He probably lived in or near Jerusalem. Judah had been become prosperous and complacent, taking God for granted and becoming self-centered with idolatry and sin. This kind of activity inevitably will bring the judgment of the LORD. This will have an impact on the short term as well as the great and awesome time in the last days when God consummates all things.

-Chapter 1: This message that Joel is giving from the LORD is to be told to sons, sons’ sons, and future generations (Joel 1:3). There is the imagery of the locusts devouring the rich and luxuriant fields leaving desolation and wailing by gnawing, swarming, creeping, and stripping (Joel 1:4). This represents, as we see in verse 6, an invading army who is mighty and without number with strong bite and force. It makes the land a waste and consumes everything in it (Joel 1:7). *Application* Sudden destruction is a fearful and devastating concept for us as humans to fathom. We see it in nature (i.e. tornados, fires, hurricanes, floods, etc.) and sometimes through human means (i.e. atomic or nuclear weaponry). Joel is preparing his people and us of the coming judgment of the LORD upon this world by using foreshadowing. It will be a time of mourning and woe, which the world has yet to experience its fullness. Joel was calling the people to awake out of their stupor and repent (Joel 1:5). It would behoove us as well to open sensible eyes and hears to the reality of a world gone far from the LORD. Return to Him before it is too late. Accept His grace and mercy in times of distress and judgment. He is calling you. He is our only hope.

-The grain and drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD (Joel 1:9, 13b). This has happened and will happen again in the great tribulation. There is great mourning and wailing as the Temple and land lay in ruins. Nature itself is reeling from the effects of this judgment. Shame and agony grip the inhabitants and rejoicing dries up in these difficult days.

-The call goes out to put on sackcloth and consecrate a fast proclaiming a solemn assembly gathering all the elders and inhabitants of the land to the House of the LORD. “Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty (Joel 1:15).” Even the beasts are groaning in the conditions they are under where finding food is futile. There is no pasture for them and the cattle wonder aimlessly; even the sheep suffer (Joel 1:18). The call for the people is to cry out to God in their misery due to this fiery judgment (Joel 1:14b, 19). *Application* There come times in our lives that all we can do is cry out to the LORD in our hurt and suffering. The New Testament speaks often about encountering these trials of life as a means of spiritual growth and proven character (Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, James 1:2-3). Allow the LORD to show you “what” He wants to teach you when trials and suffering come. The “what” is a better question to Him than the “why?”



Verse to Memorize: Joel 1:15