Bible Book of Joel | Day of the Lord

A call to repentance after a locust plague, followed by the promise of the Spirit's outpouring in the latter days. Joel chapters with summary and commentary.

Genre: Minor Prophet. Theme: Day of the Lord

  • Author: Joel
  • Date: c. 835 BC
  • Read Time: 15 mins
  • Purpose: To call for repentance for the 'Day of the Lord'.
  • Key Verse: Joel 2:28 - I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.
  • Christ: The Pourer out of the Spirit.
  • Audience: Judah during a devastating ecological and economic crisis
  • Imagery: Uses locust plague to symbolize judgment.
  • Locust Plague: Uses a local natural disaster as a prototype for the final 'Day of the Lord'.
  • Inward Repentance: Calls for the 'rending of hearts' rather than the 'rending of garments'.

Joel warns that physical disasters are often wake-up calls for spiritual awakening before the final judgment.

A three-chapter move from a past disaster to a future hope of total restoration.

Jesus is the One who pours out the Holy Spirit, as fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Joel 1 - An Invasion of Locusts

What the locust swarm has left other locusts have eaten. The fields are destroyed. Lament, O priests! The day of the LORD is near.

Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord

A great army is on the mountains. Return to the LORD for he is merciful. "Fear not, I will restore you. I will pour out my Spirit."

Joel 3 - The Lord Judges the Nations

"I will gather all the nations for judgement. For the day of the LORD is near. Jerusalem will be inhabited for all generations."