Joel - TheologyCommons/Bible.Outline GitHub Wiki

JOEL 1-3

Joel writes about current and future conditions in Israel.

CURRENT CONDITIONS (1:1-20):

The worst locust plague in Judah's history has settled upon the land.

The devastation (1:1-12, 15-18)

The severity (1:1-4, 6-7, 15):

The crops are consumed by a fourfold attack:

The cutting locusts (1:1-4a, 15)

The swarming locusts (1:4b)

The hopping locusts (1:4c)

The stripping locusts (1:4d, 6-7)

The sorrow (1:5, 8-12, 16-18):

Hungry cries of anguish are heard everywhere.

The proclamation (1:13-14)

Dress in sackcloth (1:13a).

Declare a fast (1:13b-14a).

Gather in the Temple (1:14b).

The supplication (1:19-20):

Both people and animals cry out for divine intervention.

COMING CONDITIONS (2:1-3:21):

There will be three future "days."

The day of Pentecost (2:28-32; see also Acts 2:14-18; Rev. 6:12-14)

The contents (2:28-32)

God's Spirit will be poured out upon Israel (2:28-29).

Great signs will occur in the heavens (2:30-31).

Salvation will be offered to all (2:32).

The chronology (see Acts 2:14-18; Rev. 6:12-14)

Present fulfilment (see Acts 2:14-18)

Future fulfilment (see Rev. 6:12-14)

The day of the Lord---a title for the coming Great Tribulation (2:1-21; 3:1-16):

Using the locust plague as an object lesson, Joel describes a future invasion where enemy soldiers (not insects) will ravage the land.

The alarm (2:1, 15)

The admonition (2:12-14, 16-17):

God calls for Israel's repentance.

The assurance (2:18-21):

God promises deliverance following this repentance.

The attack (2:2-11):

A fierce and seemingly unstoppable foreign army will invade Israel, marching in precise fashion, causing great fear.

The anger (3:3-8):

God is furious concerning Israel's past and future mistreatment by the pagan Gentiles.

The announcement (3:9-11):

These pagan Gentiles are warned to prepare for the worst, for God himself will soon battle against them.

The assembling (3:1-2, 12):

God plans to drive his enemies into the valley of Jehoshaphat (called the Kidron Valley in the New Testament) so he can kill them.