The day of the LORD
The book's organizing image — both imminent (the locusts as foretaste) and eschatological (the great and terrible day yet to come).
Old Testament · Book 29 of 66
Joel
A locust plague, a call to return, and a promise of the Spirit poured out on all flesh — the text Peter will cite on the day of Pentecost.
3
Chapters
Locust plague
Occasion
Acts 2 citation
NT echo
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
- Author
- Joel son of Pethuel (1:1)
- Date
- Disputed — proposals range from 9th c. BC (early pre-exilic) to post-exilic 5th c. BC; the book itself is undated
- Audience
- Judah and Jerusalem
- Position
- Old Testament · Book 29 of 66
Structure
- Locust plague and call to return1–2
The land devoured by locusts; the day of the LORD announced; the trumpet in Zion; ‘rend your heart, and not your garments.’
- Spirit poured out; nations judged; Zion blessed2:28–3:21
‘I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh’ (2:28–29 — Peter, Acts 2:17–21); the valley of decision; the LORD dwells in Zion.
Section pages
Each section is one focused part of Joel — purpose, key movements, key verses, Christ-in-this-section. Roughly five minutes each.
Themes
The Spirit poured out
‘Upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit’ (2:29). Peter cites this at Pentecost — Joel's promise is Acts' beginning.