Joel, The Book of

An OT book, the second of the Minor Prophets. The book begins by depicting a locust plague, which is understood as the onset of the Day of the Lord, and it continues with a description of the future fortunes of Israel and the nations.

Outline of Contents

Joel

I. National lament in response to a locust plague (Joel 1:1-20)

A. Superscription (Joel 1:1)

B. Description of the locust plague (Joel 1:2-4)

C. Call to lament (Joel 1:5-14)

D. A lament (Joel 1:15-20)

II. The Day of the Lord as judgment on Judah (Joel 2:1-29)

A. The locust plague as harbinger of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:1-11)

B. Call to repentance (Joel 2:12-17)

C. God’s positive response: promise of deliverance (Joel 2:18-29)

III. The Day of the Lord as judgment on Judah’s enemies (Joel 2:30-3:21)

A. Signs of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:30-32)

B. Judgment on the nations (Joel 3:1-17)

C. Summary: prosperity for Zion and destruction for enemies (Joel 3:18-21)