Author: Joel the son of Pethuel is the author of this second book of the Minor Prophets. This is virtually all that is known about the author. Joel's name in the original Hebrew means, “Jehovah is God”.

Date: There is much debate concerning when the book was written. This has much to do with the universal message of the book which has application to more than one place in the history of Israel . The evidence points to either the early date during the reign of Joash ( II Kings 12 ) or the later time period after the exile to Babylon .

Regardless of which date is used in establishing when and to whom the book is written, the message of the book is without date and universal in application.

Message: The message of the book is the doom of the nations and the ultimate glory of Jehovah's cause. The locusts (the primary plague), drought, and fires are given as a sign of the greater judgments of God which will make these plagues pale in comparison. These judgments can only be averted by true repentance. Thus the overwhelming message is that if they would repent, the “day of Jehovah” would be one of destruction upon the enemies of God and the deliverance of those who trust in Him.

Outline:

Joel saw the plague of locusts as evidence of God's judgment on the unjust and adulterous people before Him. This thought would continue in the language that deemed this judgment of God as, “the Day of the Lord” , which would describe its use in future references. This Day of Judgment is described for those the prophet is writing to as imminent and none would be able to endure it! Yet, there would be future references to a similar day and similar signs for those who would not accept the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit ( 2:30-31 ). Thus the universal message is a call to repentance for all of those who would call on the name of the Lord, in hope that God will turn His judgment into a blessing!

Good Reading !