Joel 3:12-21, Joel and Amos

Joel

Competent literary authorities declare that from the standpoint of style, this small book is a literary gem.  Its “style is pre-eminently pure, and is characterized by smoothness and fluency, strength and tenderness” (Lee).

For vividness of description and picturesqueness of diction, Joel is scarcely equaled.  His pen-pictures of the plague-stricken land, the invading locust-army, and the final gathering of all nations to the valley of judgment, are miniature masterpieces of graphic vigor. (Explore the Book, J. Sidlow Baxter)

The book is especially noted for four things:

·       It contains the grandest description in all literature of locust devastation (1:6-12; 2:1-10).

·       It gives the earliest insight into the Day of the LORD.

·       It gives the first intimation of the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh (2:28-39).

·       Its prophesies are remarkable for their scope extending from Joel’s own day to the end of time (cf. 1:15 with 3:14).

The theme is “the Day of the LORD,” a day that begins with judgment and culminates with blessing.  Here is an outline of Joel:

·       The Proclamation of Ruin, 1:1-2:11.

·       The Plea for Repentance, 2:12-17.

·       The Promise of Restoration, 2:18-3:21.

There are some questions to be answered as you read Joel.  One has to do with the “locust invasion.”  Some consider the description in Ch. 1 to be real locusts, and the description in Ch. 2 to be speaking of an earthly army that comes against Israel like locusts.  Another question has to do with “the valley of Jehoshaphat” (3:1-8).  This valley has been said to be the Valley of Hinnom (probably the most common view), Kidron Valley and Valley of Jezreel (Armageddon, since it is tied to the judgment of the nations). 

Amos

Amos prophesied sometime during the years that Jeroboam II was ruling in Israel and Uzziah was ruling in Judah.  He was a contemporary of Hosea in the North and Isaiah and Micah in the South.

Israel was at the peak of her prosperity (765-740 BC).  The rich had amassed their wealth at the expense of the poor.  Judges sold “justice” to the highest bidder.  Merchants were notorious for dishonesty.  Immorality and idolatry were practiced openly and shamelessly.  Consequently the relevance of Amos to our own affluent society is obvious.

Amos was an “unlettered” prophet, being a herdsman.  He lived in Judah but was sent to the North to prophesy.  The theme of his message is that God will not indefinitely tolerate evil among His people without chastising them.  Here is an outline of the book of Amos:

·       The Condemnation of the Nations, Ch. 1-2.

·       The Denunciation of Israel, 3:1-9:10.

·       The Restoration of Israel, 9:11-15.