Joel

Definition and Meaning

Joel is the second of the Minor Prophets (the twelve shorter prophetic books) in the Old Testament. In Protestant Bibles it stands between Hosea and Amos. The book takes its name from the prophet, whose Hebrew name means "the LORD is God." Korean Bibles such as the New Korean Revised Version divide the book into three chapters, while the Hebrew Bible divides it into four. Joel 2:28–32 in Korean Bibles corresponds to chapter 3 in the Hebrew Bible.

Biblical and Historical Background

Joel 1:1 introduces the author only as "Joel the son of Pethuel," naming no king and giving no date. As a result, views on the date of composition differ. Some place it around the reign of King Joash of Judah (9th century BC), while others date it after the return from the Babylonian exile (5th–4th century BC).

The book opens with a great locust plague. The prophet interprets this disaster as a warning of "the day of the LORD," the day on which God executes judgment, and calls the people to fasting and repentance. A representative verse is "rend your heart, and not your garments" (Joel 2:13). The book then promises the restoration of the land and gives the prophecy "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28). The final section depicts the judgment of the nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat and the restoration of Zion.

The New Testament quotes Joel several times. Peter quoted Joel 2:28–32 in his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:16–21). Paul quoted Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:13.

Practice in the Korean Church

• Repentance and fasting: Joel 2:12–13 is frequently used in special early-morning prayer meetings, fasting prayer meetings, and Lenten sermons. Among churches that follow the church calendar, Methodist and Anglican churches, as well as some Presbyterian churches, also read it as a Scripture lesson on Ash Wednesday.
• The promise of restoration: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25) is widely cited in sermons and prayers about God restoring what has been lost.
• Interpreting the prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit: Joel 2:28 is often read on Pentecost Sunday. How this promise is understood, however, varies by denomination.
• Churches in the Pentecostal tradition, such as the Full Gospel churches, emphasize that this promise continues to be fulfilled today through gifts such as baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
• In Presbyterian churches of the Reformed tradition, interpretations commonly emphasize its redemptive-historical significance, holding that the promise was fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2.
• Opinions are divided even within denominations as to whether the spiritual gifts continue today (see cessationism and continuationism).