As a church, we’ve been reading through the Minor Prophets together. As questions come up in your reading, continue to fire them my way, and I’ll answer them. This week’s reading was from the book of Joel, but a Hosea questions came up to answer first:
Hosea
I was just wondering in Hosea who is King Jareb referring to?
Jareb is mentioned in both 5:13 and 10:6, but many translations choose to translate it as the great king. It is a difficult word to translate, and is probably best translated as a nickname or moniker for an Assyrian king, meaning “King Combat”, or “King Contentious.” Most take this to refer to Tiglath-pileser III.
Joel
Is this a literal historical event, or is it a picture?
It’s literal, and then used as a picture, so you could say both.
Locusts? Like the things that screech outside every 17 years?
Sort of. If you come Sunday morning, I’ll describe these things. And then when we hear those Cicada’s (thank you Google) , you will actually be thankful we don’t have locust plagues here.
When Joel talks about the day of the Lord in chapter 2 is he referring to something that will happen in Old Testament times or a time in our future?
The easy answer is, yes. When the Day of the Lord is used, it speaks about the “general period of wrath and judgment uniquely belonging to the Lord… which unveils His character – mighty, powerful, and holy, thus terrifying His enemies.” (John MacArther). When the prophets mentioned it, and Joel does it the most, it is sometimes a judgment in their immediate future (Ezekiel 13:5 is talking about when the Babylonians would overthrow them, which happened in 586 bc), and it is sometimes talking about an eschatological future… end times like. The key to understanding the Day of the Lord isn’t necessarily knowing exactly when it will happen, but rather, knowing that that day represents the day that God will step into man’s present, and judge sin.
Acts 2:17-21 quotes Joel 2:28-32. When Joel said it, was he prophesying about Pentecost?
Yes, and no. (I’m 2 for 2!!) As you read Joel, the Day of the Lord is a terrible time for those who do not honor God as God, and yet it’s a time of peace for those who do. Pentecost was the beginning and a small taste of the power of the Holy Spirit that will be fully displayed.
Who is the Lord’s army in 2:11?
It is what God uses to bring about this judgment. It can be His use of creation (locusts) or nations (Babylon) or angels/hosts. The most important thing to know about His army is He is in control of them.
Joel 2:25 – Is this similar to what we see happening in Job, when God restores him with double what he previously had?
I think a better way to understand this verse, based on its context, is that God is merciful and gracious, that He would allow us, who have grievously sinned against Him, to be reconciled and restored.
Many will use this verse to say “God will restore ‘wasted’ years to them.” He sent the locusts to devour, in order to discipline them and bring them back to Him, because He is merciful. When they repent and return to Him (the context of 2:25), He will restore them going forward. When we “waste” our years, however that looks, there are consequences that won’t necessarily be taken away from us, even if we do return.
2:28 and 3:8 – both mention the sons and daughters, is that significant?
It is. In the culture, having your following generations blessed and carry on was a big deal. 2:28 is a great promise to God’s people, while 3:8 is an announcement of judgment on those who refuse Him.
As a woman I appreciate Joel 2:29. I believe there are Biblical roles for male and female, but His Spirit is given equally to both.
This wasn’t really a question, but I wanted to put it on here with a hearty “Amen.”
What is the valley of decision on 3:14?
This is actually a very stark, sad verse. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!” The word multitudes should probably be translated as “mobs,” as the original word could be translated as literally “Mêlée!” So there are many people in this valley.
This valley is the same that is mentioned in 3:2, the Valley of Jehoshaphat (which means literally Yahweh judges). The starkness comes when you understand that the word “decision” isn’t talking about the decision of people for or against God, but God’s decision, or verdict, on people.
The verse pictures a judgment of God on those who did not (do not) honor Him. This, unfortunately, includes a huge number of people. The judgment is terrifying for those, but for His people, there is hope.
Joel 3:15–16 The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.
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