This Complimentary Copy of the Book of Joel Is from the CEB Study Bible, a Recommended Resource for Covenant Bible Study
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This complimentary copy of the book of Joel is from The CEB Study Bible, a recommended resource for Covenant Bible Study. Several hundred leading biblical scholars were involved with the Common English Bible translation and as contributors to The CEB Study Bible. The Editorial Board includes Joel. B. Green (Fuller Theological Seminary), Seung Ai Yang (Chicago Theological Seminary), Mark J. Boda (McMaster Divinity College), Mignon R. Jacobs (Fuller Theological Seminary), Matthew R. Schlimm (University of Dubuque), Marti J. Steussy (Christian Theological Seminary), along with Project Director Michael Stephens and Associate Publisher Paul N. Franklyn. Features of The CEB Study Bible include: • Biblical text in the readable, reliable, and relevant Common English Bible translation • Major articles give readers an in-depth foundation from which to approach this unique resource: The Authority of Scripture (Joel Green), How We Got Our Bible (Daniel G. Reid), Guidelines for Reading the Bible (Brian D. Russell), Chronology of the Bible (Pamela J. Scalise), and The Unity of the Bible (Marianne Meye Thompson) • In-depth sidebar articles • Verse-by-verse study notes • An introduction of each book helps readers see its structure and find significant sections • 21 full-color maps from National Geographic, with indexes • Additional in-text maps and informational charts • Comprehensive concordance • More than 200 full-color illustrations, photographs, maps, and charts You may visit CEBStudyBible.com to see the latest bindings and find out more about the features, the CEB translation, and our contributors. JOEL The book of Joel is placed second in the Minor As with other prophets, Joel sees the Lord Prophets, which are also called the Book of the at work in the circumstances of his day and Twelve. The first line identifies the book as a beyond. He describes future events as part of communication from the Lord to Joel, Pethuel’s the “day of the LORD” (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; see son. Nothing else is known about this Joel. Amos 5:18-20; Obad 15; Zeph 1:7). The phrase The historical setting for Joel’s prophecies is doesn’t refer to a 24-hour period but to a deci- unclear. Unlike several other prophetic books, sive time in the future. Joel uses similar terms no mention is made of major events or world for the future such as “in those days and in that powers such as Assyria or Babylon. Instead, the time” (Joel 3:1) and “in that day” (Joel 3:18). He book speaks about Judah and Jerusalem and tells the message that God judges nations and uses the term “Israel” to mean God’s people. Joel peoples and will ultimately deliver Judah and is familiar with the priesthood and temple ser- Jerusalem on such a “day.” vice in Jerusalem. Perhaps his references in Joel A striking feature of the book is its depic- 2:6-8 to selling people to Greeks and Sabeans tion of a locust plague. The deadly effects of (an Arab tribe) fit best in the 5th century BCE the locusts are used to impress readers with during Persian control of the region. The refer- God’s judgment in the historical process and ence in Joel 3:1 to those sent away from Judah to remind them there is more of that to come. and Jerusalem likely refers to the Babylonian Locusts may also symbolically refer to human campaigns in Judah in the early 6th century threats to the well-being of Judah and Jerusa- BCE and the waves of people sent into exile at lem. In either case, people of the ancient world that time. These data suggest that Joel was a were terrified of locust plagues, because the in- post-exilic prophet living in Jerusalem. sects could ruin fields and crops (see Amos 4:9). Middle Eastern locusts (Joel 1:4) iStockPhoto 29_CEB_Study_Joel.indd 1445 5/31/13 9:19 AM 1446 OT JOEL Introduction In response, Joel urges his audience to consider the assault (Joel 2:10; 3:15). Both heaven and prayer, lament, fasting, and heartfelt return to earth will have signs that God is at work (Joel the Lord. His plea to “tear your hearts and not 2:28-31). Hills will drip with wine and flow with your clothing” (Joel 2:13) is a classic call to the milk (Joel 3:18) when Judah is restored. Joel people for sincere change. shares some words and themes with Amos The outline of the book shows a blend of and Obadiah, the two books that come after judgment and deliverance. Joel uses meta- it in the order of the Minor Prophets. For ex- phors and symbols to describe events of the ample, compare Joel 3:16 with Amos 1:2 and past and the future. Locusts are like a fierce na- Joel 3:19 with Obadiah’s longer description of tion, the bite of lions, and fire (Joel 1:6, 19-20; Edom. This may mean that the three books 2:2-7). The earth and heavens shake, with the were read alongside each other to reinforce sun, moon, and stars showing the effects of common prophetic themes. I. Locust Plague and a Call to Return to the Lord II. Future Deliverance and Judgment (2:28–3:21) (1:1–2:27) A. Spirit and prophecy (2:28-29) A. Plague and lament (1:1-12) B. Signs of the times (2:30-32) B. Fasting and prayer (1:13-20) C. Days of restoration and judgment among the C. Locusts signal the day of the Lord (2:1-11) nations (3:1-8) D. A call to return to the Lord (2:12-17) D. Judgment of nations in Jerusalem (3:9-15) E. The Lord returns to the land and people E. Deliverance for the Lord’s people (3:16-21) (2:18-27) J. Andrew Dearman 29_CEB_Study_Joel.indd 1446 5/31/13 9:19 AM JOEL 1:13 1447 OT Song of lament 1:2 Hos 5:1; Jl 2:2 The Lord’s word that came to Joel, Pethuel’s son: 1:3 Ex 10:2 2 1 Hear this, elders; 1:4 Dt 28:38; Ps 78:46; pay attention, everyone in the land! Jl 2:25; Am 4:9; Has anything like this ever happened in your days, Na 3:15 or in the days of your ancestors?a 1:5 Jl 3:3 3 1:6 Jl 2:2, Tell it to your children, Jl 2:25; Rev 9:8 and have your children tell their children, 1:7 Is 5:6; Jer 8:13; and their children tell their children. Hos 2:12; 4 What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. Jl 1:12; Am 4:9 What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten. 1:10 Is 24:4 b 1:13 1Ki 21:27; And what the hopping locust left, the devouring locust has eaten. Jer 4:8; Jl 1:9, 5 Wake up, you who drink too much, and weep. Jl 2:17; Jon 3:5 Scream over the sweet wine, all you wine drinkers, because it is snatched from your mouth; 6 because a nation, powerful and beyond number, has invaded my land. Its teeth are like lions’ teeth; its fangs are like those of a lioness. 7 It has destroyed my vines, splintered my fig trees, stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches have turned white. 8 Lament like a woman dressed in funeral clothing, one who has lost the husband of her youth. 9 The grain offering and the drink offering are gone from the Lord’s temple. The priests and the Lord’s ministers mourn. 10 The fields are devastated, the ground mourns; for the grain is destroyed, the new wine dries up, the olive oil fails. 11 Be shocked, you farmers; howl, you vinedressers, over the wheat and the barley, for the crops of the field are destroyed. 12 The grapevine is dried up; the fig tree withers. Pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the field are dried up. Joy fades away from the people.c Call to mourn 13 Dress for a funeral and grieve, you priests; lament, ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in funeral clothing, servants of my God, aOr your fathers bThe Heb uses several different words for locust; none of the meanings are identical. cOr from the sons of men; cf 2:1 Heb the people of the land 1:1-12 The prophet calls attention to the terrible effects of Joel is familiar with the agricultural produce of Judah and a mighty locust plague. Joel uses the plague as a reason to its importance for the life of the people. call people to pray and to return to God. 1:8 funeral clothing: The locusts will bring death, and 1:4 Locusts move fast in eating crops and plants. They join the people of Judah are compared to a young widow in quick movements with strong appetites. mourning. 1:5 you who drink too much: Those who enjoy wine will 1:9 priests . ministers: Priests serve at the temple in Jeru- lose their drink. They will go from the delight of drink to salem. They “minister” before the Lord and on behalf of the the shock of loss. people. They won’t have offerings to present to the Lord, 1:6 These images describe an overwhelming power that and they should mourn for themselves and for the people. invades the nation. The locusts are like an army, and they See Joel 1:13.