The Definition of the word Joel, Book of

Joel, Book of

Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem "(1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21)." "He probably flourished in the reign of Uzziah (about B.C. 800), and was contemporary with Amos and Isaiah. "The contents of this book are, (1.) A prophecy of a great public "calamity then impending over the land, consisting of a want of" water and an extraordinary plague of locusts (1:1-2:11). (2.) The prophet then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn "to God, assuring them of his readiness to forgive (2:12-17), and" foretelling the restoration of the land to its accustomed "fruitfulness (18-26). (3.) Then follows a Messianic prophecy," "quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39). (4.) Finally, the prophet foretells" portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God "(ch. 3, but in the Hebrew text 4)."