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Selected Minor Prophets My Servants The Prophets Major Lessons From Selected Minor Prophets

Approximate Dates Of The Minor Prophets 9th Century (Early Assyrian Period) Obadiah (845 B.C.) Joel (830 B.C.) Jonah (790-750 B.C.) 6th Century (Exilic Period) Ezekiel (593-570 B.C.) Daniel (605-536 B.C.) 8th Century (Assyrian Period) Amos (755 B.C.) Hosea (750-725 B.C.) Isaiah (740-700 B.C.) Micah (735-700 B.C.) 6th-5th Centuries (Post-Exilic Periods) Haggai (520 B.C.) Zechariah (520-518 B.C.) Malachi (440 B.C.) 7th Century (Chaldean Period) Jeremiah (626-586 B.C. & after) Zephaniah (630-625 B.C) Nahum (625-612 B.C.) Habakkuk (605 B.C.)

Introduction - Overview The book of Joel describes a plague of locusts on the land of Judah. This plague was a “day of the Lord” to them - or it was a portent, a sign of the “day of the Lord” to come if they did not repent. Joel speaks of both a physical and a spiritual “day of the Lord.” There was a physical “day of the Lord” for judgment to both his people and the nations, and a spiritual “day of the Lord” for salvation to those who would “call upon the name of the Lord.”

Introduction – Imagery “Swarm Of Locusts” | Planet Earth | BBC Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bx5JUGVahk Adds imagery to the description in Joel 2, e.g. Like the noise of chariots (2:5) Like the noise of fire that devoureth (2:5) They shall march every one on his ways (2:7)

Introduction – Lessons God deals with his people and with the nations, both for punishment and for reward. (Joel 1:15, 2:11, 20, 25) Let God’s goodness (shown by his longsuffering and forbearance) lead us to repentance. (Joel 2:12-17, ref. Romans 2:4-5) Accept God’s deliverance (via His method) and “call upon his name” (Joel 2:32)

Introduction – Outline A “day of the Lord” for judgment to Judah and a call to repentance (Joel 1:1 – 2:27) A “day of the Lord” for deliverance to Israel and for judgment to the nations (Joel 2:28 – 3:21) (The “prophetic blend” mixes physical and spiritual judgments)

Introduction – Outline A “day of the Lord” for judgment to Judah and a call to repentance (Joel 1:1 – 2:27) A plague of locusts destroys the land (Joel 1:1-7, 2:1-11, 20, 25) A coming army besides the locusts? (Joel 1:15, 2:1) A call to repentance (Joel 1:8-20, 2:12-17)

Introduction – Outline A “day of the Lord” for deliverance to Israel and for judgment to the nations (Joel 2:28 – 3:21) Blessings to those who call upon the Lord (Joel 2:28 – 32, 3:1, 17-21) Judgment to the nations (physical and spiritual) who reject him (Joel 3:2-17, 19)

Restoration of Israel & Judah to Await the Messiah (Jeremiah 30-31) This section contains a blending of prophecy that refers simultaneously or alternately to the physical remnant of Israel AND to the future spiritual Messianic kingdom of Israel. 1 Pet 1:10-12 Illustration wrt “day of the Lord” in Joel 10

Introduction – Outline A “day of the Lord” for judgment to Judah and a call to repentance (Joel 1:1 – 2:27) A “day of the Lord” for deliverance to Israel and for judgment to the nations (Joel 2:28 – 3:21) (The “prophetic blend” mixes physical and spiritual judgments)

Introduction – Time of Joel Commentators - date between 900 – 400 BC If I had to guess, I would place Joel near the end of the kingdom of Judah References the house of the Lord and His priests (Joel 1:9) References the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem to be restored (Joel 3:1, 6) References violence that Egypt and Edom did to Judah and their coming judgement (Joel 3:19, reference similar prophecies in Obadiah 10-15, Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 30)

Simple Timeline of the Kings Kings of Israel Joel? Saul, David, Solomon Obadiah? Kings of Judah Adapted from a hand drawn chart by Gospel Light Publications, 1989

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Introduction – Literal and Figurative Language “Rule 1. All words are to be understood in their literal sense, unless the evident meaning of the context forbids. --Figures are the exception, literal language the rule; hence we are not to regard anything as figurative until we feel compelled to do so by the evident import of the passage. ...“ D. R. Dungan's Hermeneutics: A Text-Book: Chapter VII. Page184

Introduction – Literal and Figurative Language “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages, and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” Rule 3, David Cooper’s ”Hermeneutics: The Science of Interpreting the Scriptures”

Joel Chapter 1 1:1-7 Tell your children of the locust’s destruction 1:8-20 A call for repentance, the day of the Lord is at hand. (Make the connection between the destruction you see and your actions, and amend your ways.)

Joel Chapter 2 2:1-11 The day of the Lord – the Lord will command his army 2:12-17 A call for repentance. How do they know that the Lord will not relent? 2:18-27 If they return to God, he will pity his people and revive them

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Lessons God deals with his people and with the nations, both for punishment and for reward. (Joel 1:15, 2:11, 20, 25) Let God’s goodness (shown by his longsuffering and forbearance) lead us to repentance. (Joel 2:12-17, ref. Romans 2:4-5) Accept God’s deliverance (via His method) and “call upon his name” (Joel 2:32)