1. The Minor Prophets Living Messages from the Old Testament JOEL

2. The Minor Prophets: Joel • About the author • Joel means “Jehovah is God” • Historical Context • ~830 B.C. (Early Assyrian Period) • Calamity in the land • Locust Plague

3. The Minor Prophets: Joel • The Text (Ch. 1-2:27) • Deterioration of the land (1:1-12) • A plea to turn to the Lord (1:13-20) • Warns of the “day of the Lord” (2:1-11) • Call for repentance (2:12-17) • God’s response to repentance (2:18-20) • Call for courage and rejoicing (2:21-24) • The Lord’s reassurance (2:25-27)

4. The Minor Prophets: Joel • The Text (Ch. 2:28-3) • What happens “afterward” (2:26-32) • Events of the future (3:1-17) • The fate of nations (3:18-21)

5. The Minor Prophets: Joel • Lessons/Themes from the Text • The spiritual impact of disasters • The nature of true repentance • The nature of God • The role of human choices

6. The Minor Prophets: Joel • Prophecies…(The day of the Lord) • Initially given to provide comfort and hope • Relevant elements • Deliverance in Jerusalem (2:32) • Oppression of enemies (3:1-8) • Fall of Edom and Egypt (3:19) • Blessings upon the nation (3:18, 20-21) • Spiritual fulfillment through the coming Messiah • Deliverance through Zion and Jerusalem • God’s judgment of enemies • Prosperity for God’s people

7. The Minor Prophets: For next week… • Read the book of Jonah • Consider and answer study questions