Joel: Finding the Messiah in this Prophet's Visions of Judgement and the Spirit's Outpouring
The book of Joel is a short prophetic book in the Old Testament that contains powerful imagery and themes of judgment and restoration. Joel likely prophesied sometime after the exile in the late 6th century BC. While the book focuses on events in Joel's time, it also contains messianic prophecies that point to Jesus Christ. In this blog post, we'll provide an overview of the book of Joel and see how it reveals Jesus. The Bible Project gives an excellent overview of the Book of Joel that’s worth watching.
The book of Joel contains several key themes that emerge through its warnings of judgment and promises of blessing. God's sovereignty over all nations and events is emphasized, as God both brings a devastating locust plague to judge the people of Judah for their sin and rebellion (described in 1:1-20) and later promises to pour out His Spirit in the last days on all believers, including both men and women and those from all socioeconomic backgrounds (2:28-32). The locust judgment causes Joel to call the people to repentance, pray, and cry out to the Lord (1:13-14). Sin and continued rebellion will bring further judgment, yet God responds with mercy and restoration when His people genuinely repent. The Day of the Lord is another prominent theme - it will bring both terrifying judgment for the wicked and future blessing and protection for God's people restored to the land (expounded in chapters 2-3). And the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all of God's people is foretold by Joel as fulfilled in the last days under the new covenant of grace. These powerful themes in Joel set the stage for God's climactic revelation through the life and work of Jesus Christ.
Check out the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary on Joel and Amos by Tchavdar S. Hadjiev
While the book of Joel deals with events in his day, it also contains exciting messianic prophecies that point ahead to Jesus Christ. Here are some key messianic prophecies in Joel:
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit:
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:28-29)
This prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost after Jesus' ascension when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early Church (Acts 2:16-21). Jesus sent the Spirit to empower all believers as witnesses for Him. To learn more about the connections between Joel 2 and Pentecost, check out this article by Jack Levison.
Salvation will come through the name of the Lord:
"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (Joel 2:32)
Joel’s prophetic word points to salvation through faith in Christ. Romans 10:13 repeats this phrase, confirming that Jesus is the Lord upon whom we must call to be saved. This article from Joel Estes explains Paul’s reason for quoting Joel in Romans 10.
The Lord dwells in Zion (Jerusalem):
"Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her." (Joel 3:17)
This prophecy alludes to God dwelling on earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ's incarnation began with His earthly presence in Jerusalem. And one day, Jesus will return and fully establish His kingdom in the new Jerusalem.
In Joel's short, vivid book, we see God's passion and power to judge sin and restore His people. The messianic prophecies point ahead to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lord who saves all who call on His name. Joel's warnings and promises find their ultimate fulfillment in the life, death, resurrection, and return of our Savior Jesus.
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