From the approximate time period of 2nd Kings 12
830 – 820 BC
Amidst the devastation of the locust invasion, Joel, son of Pethuel, emerged as a great prophet who saw beyond the chaos and spoke with divine authority. His sermon, recorded in the book of Joel, describes the plague as a human army, leaving behind scorched earth. However, Joel knew that this was God’s army and that the day of its invasion was the Day of the Lord – a day of judgment upon a sinful people. With urgency, Joel called on the people to repent and turn towards God’s mercy.
Through collective repentance, the people found hope as God relented and withdrew judgment. But Joel’s message did not end there. He described worse judgments for those who did not acknowledge God’s sovereignty or adhere to ethical standards. Despite this, he expressed divine promise and human hope, reminding us that God’s will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.
As we look towards the future, let us remember that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Let Joel’s words inspire us to seek repentance, hope, and the coming of God’s kingdom.
The Arthur
Joel, son of Pethuel, is a figure whose existence cannot be confirmed. The name Joel, meaning “the Lord is God,” was a common Hebrew name during the Old Testament era. Joel’s references to Jerusalem (1.14; 2.1,15,32; 3.1,6,16,17,20,21) suggest that he may have lived in the city.
The date of the locust plague that serves as the backdrop of the book is uncertain, with experts disagreeing over whether it occurred in the late ninth century B.C. during Joash’s reign or in the post-Exilic period. Nonetheless, the proximity of the book to the beginning of the Minor Prophets and the fact that the locust plague is referred to as “the day of the Lord” (a term used in later times to refer to the final judgment day) indicate that an early date is more probable.
The book’s message remains relevant to contemporary audiences, regardless of its date. Appears to have been written approximately the same time as 2nd Kings 12 about 830 – 820 BC