THE PROPHET Joel was challenged by God to give the warning trumpet a clear, ringing sound. The fact that his book occupies a high place among the writings of the Hebrew prophets is an indication that he did "blow the trumpet in Zion" as God commanded (Joel 2:1, 15). The book of Joel is noted for its vivid descriptions and picturesque language. This probably made it quite easy for the people to fulfill the commission given in chapter one, verse one, to recount the Word of the Lord, as it came to the son of Pethuel, to their children for generation after generation. We can picture the fascination of these children with the vivid poetic images and symbolism of this book.
Verse four of the first chapter is one instance of the descriptive powers of Joel. His graphic portrayal of the utter destruction that is to characterize the judgments of God upon Judah, as well as the time of the final eschatological "day of the Lord," is a classic. One can hear the children repeating the rhythmic phrases with great gusto: What the cutting-down locust leaves, the swarming locust eats. What the swarming locust leaves, the lapping-up locust eats. What the lapping-up locust leaves, the finishing-up locust eats.
Joel's brief book deals, first of all, with judgments to come (chaps. 1:4-2:11). The terrible plague of locusts symbolizes the invading armies from the north that are to ravish the land. God's judgments include a time of drought of such severity that even the pomegranates and the palm trees dry up (chap. 1:12). The language that describes these drastic events is so hyperbolic that only the final eschatological destruction is worthy of this portrayal.
The "Day of the Lord"
That Joel is being used to speak to us in these last days as well as to the people of his time is abundantly clear in verse 15 of the first chapter: "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come."
The term "day of the Lord" appears about twenty times in the writings of the prophets, including such references as Isaiah 2:12; 13:6; Ezekiel 30:3; Amos 5:18; and Zephaniah 1:14. Joel uses this expression frequently (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). Because I agree with those who date this book in the ninth century B.C., I think it quite probable that Joel inaugurated such usage. Although the term can apply locally to the judgment of a city or nation, the primary sense seems to be the eschatological one, as it was understood by New Testament writers (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).
This interpretation is also borne out in the book The Great Controversy, which quotes verses 1, 12, 13, and 15-18 of chapter two as a warning designed to arouse God's people today from their Laodicean lethargy. Definite last-day applications can also be drawn from chapter two, verses 2, 6, and 10.
The second section of Joel's book (chap. 2:12-17) presents a dramatic and appealing call to repentance. It begins with an inward and individual response summarized in the phrase, "Rend your heart, and not your garments" (chap. 2:13), and then presents a nationwide challenge that is particularly stated to be the responsibility of the spiritual leaders (verses 15-17).
Many references to this section are to be found in the Spirit of Prophecy. These demonstrate definite application to our time as indicated in the list that follows:
Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 409: Must recognize our true condition, the nearness of the end, and heed these instructions. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 131: The revival called for is to be more than mere form.
Prophets and Kings, p. 627: We are in these days to faithfully "blow the trumpet in Zion."
Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 180: This is a time of shaking.
Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 709: De scribes the joyful results that follow weeping "between the porch and the altar."
Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 234: The response portrayed in these verses is to be the experience and attitude of our ministers.
Result of Repentance
The final section of Joel's powerful and stimulating book presents the promised result of repentance (chaps. 2:18-3:21). Since these promises were conditional on proper repentance they were never fulfilled to the Jews as God intended them to be. Their primary application, therefore, must be to the final reformation that ultimately results in the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.
God's pity and zeal for His people are vividly portrayed in verses 18 through 22 of chapter two. Notice that God is said to be "jealous." But this jealousy is not the kind that is jealous of some one. God is jealous for His people out of love for them. He is filled with interest and zeal on their behalf. "Jealous" might ' better be translated "zealous."
Early and Latter Rain
Probably one of the most significant passages in this book fol lows. Verses 23 through 29 of the second chapter present the promise of the early and latter rain. In the Hebrew the word for "teacher" is used, but a large number of manuscripts do have the common word for "early rain." The context obviously favors the use of "early rain." The Hebrews probably recognized a close relationship between these terms, however. It certainly is not inappropriate to view the gift of the Holy Spirit in the "early rain" as a "teacher of righteousness." Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would fill .this role after Pentecost (John 16:7, 10).
In Acts 2:17-20, Peter cites Joel 2:28-31 as being fulfilled at Pentecost. This fulfillment brought the "early rain" to the church and it is to remain with the church to the end of time (The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 54, 55; Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 408).
Ironically, however, we live in a time when the church seems to be praying for the outpouring of the "latter rain" without either fully appreciating or appropriating the power already available to us in the "former rain." "The promise of the Spirit is not appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be" (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 328). When we have taken advantage of the "former rain" then we can claim the promise that the "latter rain" will be given more abundantly (The Desire of Ages, p. 827).
As we compare the promises of restoration found in these verses (chap. 2:24-27) we note that all the damage and destruction indicated in chapter one will not only be restored, but more abundantly so.
Verses 30 through 32 of chapter two deal with signs in the heavens and deliverance. Just how these may have been fulfilled or whether they were intended to be in Joel's day we don't know. But the Bible itself clearly indicates that they are to be signs of Christ's second coming. Jesus applies them this way in Matthew 24:29, 30 and so does the revelator in the final book of the New Testament (Rev. 6:12-17). Ellen White in the book The Great Controversy specifically applies the prophecy to the Dark Day of May 19, 1780 (p. 308). Its eschatological implications and the association of the term "day of the Lord" with last-day events is thus clear and striking.
Chapter three begins with a section that describes God's judgment on the nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat (meaning "Jehovah judges"). The eschatological nature of this passage becomes especially apparent in verses 9 through 15. In startling contrast to what the nations are saying as portrayed in Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-5 is what they will be doing. Amid talk of "beating swords into plowshares" they will actually be turning their "plow shares into swords" (verse 10). It will be a time when the weak will say, "I am strong." We don't have to look twice to see the fulfillment of this prophecy in recent events. Then will follow the great gathering for judgment and harvest that is apparently also described in Revelation 16:12-16.
The book of Joel concludes with a pleasant description of the blessed state of God's people after their deliverance. That which "might have been" accomplished for Israel but never was, owing to their rebelliousness and lack of repentance is to be fully and finally realized in the great "day of the Lord" soon to come.
Joel's Character Revealed
The character of the prophet Joel is revealed through all this. Although the book contains a stern warning of judgment to come, it is tempered with hope for the erring and a strong pastoral appeal to repentance. Joel exhibits a tenderness toward nature and a sympathy for God's creatures (Joel 1:18, 20). His loving concern reaches out to the family and to social needs (chap. 2:16). The power and majesty of God are here combined in dramatic fashion with His love and tenderness toward His weak and sinful children.
The Word of the Lord rings clearly through the ministry of this powerful prophetic personality, challenging us with an urgent sense of the nearness of the day of the Lord and impressing us with the fact that the work of the Lord must be accomplished now in the hearts and lives of His people.
