31100 Joel (Level 3)

Lesson 1

The Book of Joel has been referred to as one of the literary gems of the Old Testament. The name “Joel” means “Jehovah is God.” The key phrase of the book of Joel is “the Day of the Lord.” It occurs five times in the book. The plague of locusts came on the people due to their sin of drunkenness. When sin enters the life of a child of God, the joy of the Lord is gone.

Lesson 2

The prophets were often led to use some incident at hand as a basis for a future event. There was no response of the people to the preaching of Joel in chapter 1. Joel chapter two contains the very heart of his great prophecy. If the people had repented, the Lord would have held back the action of the invaders.

Lesson 3

One of the descriptive phrases of the “Day of the Lord” is a “Day of Destruction.” When God sends a calamity, it is always preceded by wickedness. The Lord will provide Israel’s total needs when they repent with all their heart and return to Him. It was God’s intention that Israel be the head among the nations, not the tail.

Lesson 4

The book of Joel has to do chiefly with the children of Israel. They had gotten involved with sin, and the chief sin was the sin of drunkenness. Israel had departed from the purpose from which the Lord rescued them from Egypt. When Israel finally has true peace, it will be something that only God can do.

Lesson 5

We come to the grand finale of Joel’s prophecy in chapter 3. God announces a forthcoming judgment on those nations that have mistreated Israel in Joel chapter 3. God will make individuals responsible for their treatment of the Jew. There will never be a war to end all wars until Christ returns. The next great global conflict is in the Valley of Jehoshaphat known as Armageddon. Only God is qualified to be the “Final Judge” in the Valley of Decision. The “Judge” will be the Messiah.