Joel is one of 12 prophets generally called the minor prophets. Minor because of the length when compared with the three major ones Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel

Now the prophesies given by the Spirit to these prophets “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

Note the expression “upon whom the ends of the ages have come" Also if when these words were true when written by Paul how much the more relevant are they for us today.

Also: Our Lord before he departed this world gave us the reason as to why these prophecies were given: And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Luke 24. 44/45.

And at the outset of this short Prophecy our prayer should be for the Holy Spirit to open our understanding, that we might understand the scriptures.

Very little is known of Joel. His name means “Jehovah is God” He had no doubts as to who His God was. unlike so many people today.

I have never carried out a survey by asking people who their God is? But judging by the lifestyles and language we see and hear around us - most people have little knowledge as to whom the God of the Scriptures really is!

And as a result they have no Godly fear nor care or worry as to their future in eternity.

Joel’s father Pethuel meaning “Wisdom of God”. Here was a man who sought and worshipped The God of Wisdom. How true the words of Scripture says “the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God (1 Cor 1.21) Here was a man whose faith and trust was in God and so he called his baby son when born “Jehovah is God” and that little child grew up obviously ‘in the knowledge and love of God’

What should we be preaching today to a lost world?

Well simply “But we preach Christ crucified, ……….., Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor 1.34/35.

Romans 1.16/17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Joel’s ministry was to Judah and he appears to have been one of the earliest of the Minor Prophets.

As we go through this short but vibrant prophecy we will observe that conditions in Israel were grave.

Joel prophesied at a time severe natural disaster caused by a plaque of Locusts, but this however, is in some way a precursor of harbinger of something deeper and more spiritual and a call for repentance is called for………

…….. and thus in chap 1. 13/14 A call for a solemn assembly is made throughout the land and then later in chap 2. the people are “to turn to Me with all your heart”.

There will come into the land a time of severe trouble - The Day of the Lord is at hand (1v15)

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. (2.1-3).

And then we will see how verses from Joel were quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts which will be more fully seen in the re-awaking of Israel in recognising their Messiah accompanied with a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit. on Christ’s Second Coming to this earth just before the Battle of Armageddon.

And then Chap 3 where we will discuss “The Valley of decision’.

All together quite a lot to look forward to from this short prophecy.

May God guide us aright in these End Time days.