Joel is one of the OT Prophets. Little is known about him directly. Most of what we know of him and his ministry comes from context. He is mentioned one time in the NT (Acts 2:16-21).
The positioning of the book in the OT Canon, along with the context of the writing indicates that the setting is in the 9th century BC (likely in the latter part of the century--835 BC).
There are three major sections of the book. All of them relate to the "Day of the Lord," which is a phrase that refers (often times) to the impending judgment of God.
In Chapter 1, we see a calling from the prophet to the people for AWARENESS. Joel 1:1-3, the prophet asks the question: "Hey, look around at how bad things are. Has this ever happened before? Tell your children!" Look at your situation. Look back in history. Tell those coming behind you (your sons and grandsons) about the times in which they live.
This is a calling to those who have some level of maturity (Joel 1:2) to step back and observe the times critically. Every person, family, and society can become "wrapped up" in their own situation. They can become so close to the circumstances of their lives...that they miss the big picture of what is happening. These verses are a call to step back and try to catch the big picture.
The land was experiencing a drought and a heavy infestation of locusts. For an agricultural society...there is nothing worse that could happen. Both the drought and the locusts would have clearly been understood as the judgment of God against the nation. In one corner of a city, it might not seem that bad...but to step back and see the widespread destruction...would strike a cord of concern in the hearts of the people. The logical question should have been: "Why is the judgment of God against us?"
Notice the progression of the judgment. First is the destruction of the pleasures and excesses. The drunkard no longer had wine to drink (Joel 1:5). No one will die because the "new/sweet wine" is dried up...but the picture is that the abundance of blessings are withering away. The fact that the "drunkard" is mentioned, points to the consumption in excess of what was commonly considered a blessing. Stage 1, the excess of blessings were dried up.
Second, the judgment was affecting the worship. There were reductions in some cases and eliminations in others of the sacrifices in the temple for worship (Joel 1:9). First, the excesses are affected...then worship suffers. This brings (or should bring) mourning...like the mourning of a young woman over the untimely death of her husband (Joel 1:8). Without the sacrifices in worship...the people were cut off from their covenant relationship with God.
Joel 1:13-14 is a call to the priests and the religious leaders to "call" the people to fast and mourn and beg God for forgiveness and restoration...relief from the judgment upon them. There is a strong sense of urgency! Why? Because there is one stage to come...
Joel 1:14-20 describes the continuation of the downward spiral of consequences. The impending "Day of the Lord" speaks of a final judgment which will result in utter destruction. The picture is that of starvation and fields being destroyed...and even livestock wandering in search of food...without relief.
Two quick applications. I imagine that the farmers did not pay much attention to the first locusts when the came to town. They thought that the circumstances was isolated. As the locust was left unattended, it grew to a point of great destruction. Sin does that in our lives. The slow progression of sin in our lives, left unchecked, leads us to a place when we look around and realize how bad things have become.
Second, as certain as the historical components of this judgment (the reduction in supply of wine and the reality of locusts), is the impending judgment of utter destruction. The call is on the people to publicly, corporately, repent and beg God for revival. The instruction was not for the farmers to buy pesticide. It was not for the government to ration the wine. The call was for repentance.
I see many parallels in our world today. Having watched retirement plans dwindle and excesses go away, I also have seen the devotion to God impacted. Some have RIGHTFULLY credited God with the removal of the blessings...but have written off the occurrence as some tantrum pitched by a "mean despot." NOT SO! The response is not to become angry or cynical toward God...but to repent and beg God for renewal. One day...it will certainly be too late.
Proverbs 9:12 is the takeaway today. This verse struck me uniquely this morning. We are not told to embrace wisdom because our doing so benefits God. When people scoff (mock, reject, argue with, hate) at God's wisdom, He is not slighted or hurt. God is. Period. He is self-sufficient and self-sustaining. He does not need us to act wisely in order to help Him. He provides Wisdom for our benefit. Those who reject wisdom, does so to their own demise.
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When I first read this I thought how awful. It sounds miserable. But the second time I read it I felt a sense of urgency. Do we not all have these times in our lives? Sounds like to me that Joel is screaming out that we need to repent and know the ways of the Lord. He is passionate about it, so passionate that he draws out this very vivid picture of what God's wrath will look like. He pleads for us to learn from this tradegy and tell our children and spread the story. Everyone is crying out to the Lord.
I was thinking "The Day of Lord" can still be many things to many people. We all have struggles some more than others. God uses different things to move us. I feel Joel is wanting someone to listen and he uses some serious issues so that others will listen to his words.
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