The Old Testament contains 39 Books of Scripture.
Near its end is a Collection called “The Book of the Twelve.”
We often refer to them as the “Minor Prophets,” due to their small size, particularly in reference to the “Major Prophets.” Very much unlike Isaiah, for example, with his 66 chapters … is the book of Obadiah with only 1 chapter, really just 21 verses!
And one such little “Minor Prophet” is “Joel,” our subject for a few days.
I checked and was a bit surprised to find that (after more than twelve years of writing Bible Lessons every morning) not a single Article from the Prophecy of Joel is on record! Not on our “Site Map” anyway. Although I have taught from the Book, every verse. And preached its Truths a few times, too.
So today I’d like to “introduce” you to the man and his message.
He’s amazing.
His name (Joel) is a actually a blend (really a contraction) of two well-known Hebrew Titles. Those being “Jehovah” and “Elohim!”
And these are?
God’s very Names in the Old Testament. Occurring 6,519 times (Jehovah) and 2,606 times (Elohim). By the way, the Prophet “Elijah” has a name that is the reverse of Joel! His blends first “Elohim” then “Jehovah!”
These men loved such names, their very nomenclature preaching vivid sermons to the people of Israel!
This too, Joel is likely one of the earliest writing Prophets of Israel. That’s also why he is near the first of the list of Minor Prophets. They generally are arranged earlier to later, chronologically. Dr. C. I. Scofield (in his study Bible) dates Joel at 800 BC, perhaps during the reign of young King Joash.
But now quickly, what is the subject matter of the Book of Joel?
Essentially he is a one-topic man, obsessed with the “Day of the Lord.”
This is a term in the Bible always associated with judgment, it seems.
One of the Reference Bibles I have suggests that Joel sees 3 different periods of judgment, one more local and one seemingly national and one definitely world-wide!
Wow!
More tomorrow, the Lord willing, as we begin our journey.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell