Historical Background Of Joel

The reign of Joash (835-796 BC) seems to be the most appropriate setting for the prophecies of Joel. Joel makes no mention of a king in his book—it is significant to remember that Joash was a
boy when crowned king, and remained under the guardianship of Jehoiada the high priest. The reign of Joash is recorded in 2 Kings 11-12 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-24:27. When Ahaziah died, his wicked mother Athaliah assumed the throne and killed all of the heirs, except for Joash who was hidden by the high priest in the temple. When he was seven years old Jehoiada presented him to the nation as their rightful king, and put Athaliah to death.

Joash began as a faithful king, and set his heart to repair the temple desecrated by Athaliah. Following Jehoiada’s death though, he turned to idols. God’s wrath came upon Judah, ushered in by the warnings of the prophets (2 Chronicles 24:17-22). Perhaps Joel is one of those prophets referenced. God delivered Judah into the hands of the Syrians because of their apostasy (2 Chronicles 24:23-26; cf. 2 Kings 12:17-18; Joel 3:4-5).

Joel also identifies Israel’s enemies as the Phoenicians and Philistines (3:4) and the Egyptians and Edomites (3:19), which would point to an earlier period in Israel’s history. In later years, it was the Assyrians and Babylonians who harassed God’s people. References to the temple and the official priesthood suggest an origin of this prophecy in Judah, or perhaps even
Jerusalem itself, which he often mentions (2:15,23,32; 3:1,6).

An estimated 27 phrases, clauses, and expressions used by the prophet Joel have parallels in other Old Testament writings. This may indicate that Joel’s prophecy was early, and that subsequent prophets were already familiar with it. Joel’s work was quoted by Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Ezekiel, Malachi, and some psalmists.

Message Of Joel

Summarized in the statement “For the day of the Lord is great, and very terrible; who can endure it?” (2:11). Israel was infested with a devastating locust plague (1:2-7). They suffered the consequences for years (2:25). It may have even been the fulfillment of Moses’ promise of a curse on the land if Israel disobeyed God (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15,38-42).