Joel 1:1-2 – We don’t know much about who Joel was or when he prophesied.

Locusts! God will punish.

Joel 1:4 – Locusts would come as a punishment from God.

Compare Exodus 10. For agriculture, a plague of locusts was deadly.

Joel 1:6-7; 2:1-9 – Locusts are described figuratively as an invading army.

Locust plague of 1915. https://www.loc.gov/collections/american-colony-in-jerusalem/articles-and-essays/the-locust-plague-of-1915-photograph-album/

Application: If we ever feel like we’re starting to go soft, read Joel!

II Peter 3:7

But you can still repent!

Joel 2:12-13 – Rend your hearts and not your garments.

Deuteronomy 6:5

I Timothy 1:5

Matthew 6:21

Turn to God with your whole heart!

Joel 2:18

Application: If we ever feel like we’re losing hope, read Joel!

God wanted them to turn back so He could bless them again.

Victory in the New Covenant

Joel 2:28-32 – Quoted in Acts 2:15-21

Joel 3:1-7

Physical or spiritual?

Joel 3:1

“Valley of Jehoshaphat”

Joel is full of figures.

Figures harmonize with New Covenant

Application If we ever feel like the forces of evil are too strong, read Joel!