Joel 1:1-2 – We don’t know much about who Joel was or when he prophesied.

Locusts! God will punish.

• Joel 1:4 – Locusts would come as a punishment from God.

• Compare Exodus 10. For agriculture, a plague of locusts was deadly.

• Joel 1:6-7; 2:1-9 – Locusts are described figuratively as an invading army.

  • Exodus 10:14

• Locust plague of 1915. https://www.loc.gov/collections/american-colony-in-jerusalem/articles-and-essays/the-locust-plague-of-1915-photograph-album/

• Application: If we ever feel like we’re starting to go soft, read Joel!

• II Peter 3:7

But you can still repent!

• Joel 2:12-13 – Rend your hearts and not your garments.

• Deuteronomy 6:5

• I Timothy 1:5

• Matthew 6:21

• Turn to God with your whole heart!

• Joel 2:18

• Application: If we ever feel like we’re losing hope, read Joel!

• God wanted them to turn back so He could bless them again.

Victory in the New Covenant

• Joel 2:28-32 – Quoted in Acts 2:15-21

• Joel 3:1-7

  • Physical or spiritual?

    • Joel 3:1

    • “Valley of Jehoshaphat”

      • We know of no physical location with this name. It could be referring to judgment under the New Covenant.

    • Joel is full of figures.

      • Joel 3:18

    • Figures harmonize with New Covenant

      • Joel 3:9-10, 17; Hebrews 12:23

• Application If we ever feel like the forces of evil are too strong, read Joel!