DEVOTIONS 101 | JOEL

DEVOTIONS 101 | JOEL

The Book of Joel is a prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that is named after its author, Joel, who was likely a prophet in Judah during the reign of King Joash (835-796 BC). The book is considered one of the Minor Prophets, along with twelve other books in the Old Testament.

The Book of Joel is divided into three chapters, and it contains a mixture of prophetic warnings and promises of restoration for the people of Judah. The book begins with a description of a locust invasion that has devastated the land, and Joel calls on the people to repent and turn back to God. He warns that the Day of the Lord is coming, a day of judgment when God will punish the wicked and save the righteous.

In the second chapter, Joel speaks of a future invasion by an army of locusts that will be even worse than the first. However, this time he goes on to describe how God will deliver his people and bless them with abundant crops and other blessings.

The final chapter of the book describes a time of restoration for Judah and Jerusalem, a time when God will pour out his Spirit on all people and bring about a new age of righteousness and peace. Joel concludes with a promise of salvation for those who call on the name of the Lord.

The Book of Joel is significant because it emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God, as well as the promise of restoration and salvation. It is also notable for its vivid imagery and its prophetic insights into the future.

Here are some key verses from the Book of Joel with explanations:

"The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel." - Joel 1:1

This verse sets the stage for the entire book and introduces Joel as the prophet who received a message from God.

"What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten." - Joel 1:4

This verse describes the devastating effects of a locust invasion that has ruined the crops and brought famine to the land. Joel uses this natural disaster as a metaphor for the judgment of God that will come upon the people if they do not repent and turn back to him.

"Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster." - Joel 2:13

This verse is a call to repentance and a reminder of God's character. Joel urges the people to turn back to God, who is gracious, merciful, and loving, and who is willing to forgive them if they repent.

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." - Joel 2:28

This verse is a prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would come on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:17-21. Joel's prophecy is a promise of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in the lives of believers.

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls." - Joel 2:32

This verse is a promise of salvation for those who call on the name of the Lord. It is a reminder that God is merciful and forgiving, and that he desires to save those who turn to him in faith.

Overall, the Book of Joel emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God, the promise of restoration and salvation, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is a powerful reminder of God's love and mercy, and a call to live a life that honors him.