Joel was God’s spokes person during the reign of Joash (835-796 BC) over the southern kingdom of Judah. Joel stresses the sovereign power of God over nature and shows how God uses nature to get the attention of the people. When an ominous black cloud descended upon the land of Judah – dreaded locusts, Joel understood that it was God’s terrible judgement on the House of Judah for sin. In a matter of hours , every living green thing had been stripped bare. Likewise we should understand that when terrible floods and fires descend upon our land that it may well be the judgement of the Lord for sin, e.g. transgenderism, LGBTQ issues, gay marriage and godless laws.

For us Joel is an important book, because God showed him that as terrible as His judgement was with the locust plague it was by comparison nothing compared with God’s future judgements during “The Day of the Lord“. It will be a time when God not only destroys His enemies but He also brings unparalleled blessings to those who faithfully obey Him.

Biblical prophecy reveals that “The Day of the Lord” is fast approaching as persecution of Christians and Jews escalates and apostasy in the church is rampant with acceptance of homosexual pastors and gay marriage widespread.

The Hebrew name Yo’el means “Yahweh Is God” The name is appropriate to the theme of the book, which emphasizes God’s sovereign work in history. The courses of nature and nations are in His hand.