What is a prophet? What do they do? What is their task? As we begin our time together in the minor prophets, we start first with Joel. We look to Joel, and we see great brokenness. In the face of that, we cry out to God. There is a great plague of locusts that are destroying everything in Joel’s time, and that will bring great destruction. In the midst of that, all we can do is turn to God out of our pain, our hurt, and our loss. This brokenness in the world can also lead us to understand the brokenness in ourselves. With that, we are led to repentance and to the healing of God’s Spirit.

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Good morning, everyone. It’s wonderful to be here with you on this beautiful Tuesday morning as we transition back to exploring the Old Testament after spending some time with Paul and his pastoral letters in the New Testament. Today marks the beginning of our journey into the Minor Prophets. As we approach Holy Week next week, we’ll likely take a brief hiatus to delve into the events of each day during that significant period. It’s always enlightening to reflect on the happenings of Holy Week, so we’ll dedicate that time accordingly. However, for now, let’s focus on Joel, our starting point in the Minor Prophets.

Joel is believed to have been a prophet who lived around 800 B.C. in Judah. To provide some context, let’s briefly review the Old Testament timeline. Following the reign of Solomon, the kingdom of Israel split into two separate entities: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Eventually, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria, while the southern kingdom was later conquered by Babylon during the time of Jeremiah. Joel prophesied in Judah, the southern kingdom, during this period of division and upheaval.

Before we dive into the text, let’s clarify the role of a prophet in the Old Testament. Unlike the post-Pentecost era, where the Holy Spirit operates universally among believers, in the Old Testament, the Spirit would descend upon specific individuals to deliver messages from the Lord. Joel begins with the phrase, “The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel,” illustrating this mode of divine communication.

Now, when we speak of prophets and prophecy, it’s essential to understand that their primary purpose wasn’t merely fortune-telling or predicting the future. While some prophecies did contain elements of future events, the overarching aim was to proclaim the word of the Lord as revealed to them. This often involved addressing contemporary issues faced by the people of their time.

The designation of “minor” and “major” prophets simply refers to the length of their respective books. Major prophets like Isaiah have longer texts, while minor prophets, such as Joel, have shorter writings. In the earliest Jewish scrolls, the minor prophets were compiled into one scroll known as the “book of the twelve.”

Now, let’s turn our attention to Joel chapter one. The chapter begins with Joel describing a devastating plague of locusts that has ravaged the land of Judah. This calamity is not merely metaphorical; it’s a literal tragedy unfolding before the people’s eyes. The locusts have decimated crops, destroyed vineyards, and brought about widespread famine. Joel vividly depicts the despair and desolation resulting from this natural disaster.

In response to this crisis, Joel calls upon the people to repent and turn back to God. He urges them to sanctify a fast, assemble together, and cry out to the Lord for mercy. Joel emphasizes the urgency of the situation, warning that the day of the Lord’s judgment is imminent. The devastation caused by the locusts serves as a wake-up call for the people to acknowledge their sins and seek forgiveness.

As we reflect on Joel’s message, we’re reminded of the importance of repentance and lamentation, especially in times of adversity. Like the people of Judah, we too may encounter periods of brokenness and suffering. In such moments, it’s crucial to acknowledge our need for God’s grace and mercy. By allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and lamenting the brokenness around us, we open ourselves to God’s healing and restoration.

In conclusion, Joel’s prophecy serves as a timeless reminder of the power of repentance and the need for spiritual renewal. As we continue our journey through the Minor Prophets, may we heed Joel’s call to turn back to God and find solace in His grace. Thank you for joining me today, and I look forward to exploring Joel chapter two with you tomorrow. Have a blessed day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.