Joel - qns
Refer to:
ESV Study Bible
Title and Author
● Joel, the son of (who?).
● Joel means?
○ Is ‘Yahweh is God’ the book’s title?
● Is anything known about Joel outside the book of Joel?
● Are Judah and Jerusalem referenced?
○ Which chapter is Judah referenced?
○ Which chapters are Jerusalem referenced?
● Did Joel have knowledge of the activities of priest and temple?
○ In which chapters are the activities of priest and temple referenced?
● Was it likely that Joel was from Judah or Jerusalem?
● Who were the 2 groups of leaders that Joel addressed?
○ Given that Joel addressed the priests and elders, would it be likely that he was
from either group?
○ In which chapters did Joel addressed the priests and elders?
Date
● Estimates for dating the book of Joel range from (which century to which century?) B.C.
● Has any consensus been reached regarding the dating of the book?
○ Do most scholars hold to a date after the exile (586 B.C.)?
○ What are the 5 reasons for doing so?
■ 1) Is one reason because the exile is treated as a past event?
● Which chapter?
■ 2) Is another reason because the conquest of Jerusalem is mentioned?
● Which chapter?
■ 3) Is another reason because no king is mentioned?
■ 4) Is another reason because the temple plays a positive role?
● Is there any prophetic denunciation against the idolatry and
syncretism mentioned in Hosea and Amos?
■ 5) Is another reason because of the anger expressed toward Edom?
● Is the anger expressed towards Edom best explained by its
treatment of Judeans during the Babylonian conquest?
○ In which chapter?
○ In which other book is anger expressed towards Edom?
Theme
● Is the “day of the Lord” is the dominant theme of the book of Joel?
○ Do both the nations and Israel experience this judgment.
■ In which chapter does the nations experience this judgment?
■ In which chapters does Israel experience this judgment?
● However, for the repentant community, does the “day” also hold out the hope of
restoration?
○ In which chapter?
● Ultimately, is the Lord’s covenant faithfulness expressed in his promises of abundance
and protection?
○ Does 2:23–26 show this?
○ Does 3:1 show this?
○ Does the Lord’s abundance and protection evidence his dwelling in the midst of
his people?
■ Does chapter 2 show this?
■ Does chapter 3 show this?
○ Is the Lord’s dwelling in the midst of his people epitomized in the great promise
of “my Spirit” that would be poured out on “all flesh”?
■ epitomized means?
Purpose, Occasion, and Background
● Did Joel calls all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem to lament?
○ And return to the Lord during a time of national calamity?
● This crisis precipitated in the first instance by (what insect?) plague.
○ In chapter 1, what 2 things did the locust destroy?
○ Did the destruction to wine and grain threaten the ability of the people of God to
present offerings in the temple?
■ In which chapter did this threat happen?
○ Given this background, might Joel have served as a lament in the ongoing life of
God’s people during other times of national tragedy?
Key Themes
● What are the 3 key themes?
● 1. Day of the Lord.
○ Is this the major theme?
○ The exact expression, yom yhwh (Hb., “day of the LORD”), is found (how many?)
times in Joel.
■ Is “day of the LORD” found in all 3 chapters?
○ In how many other prophetic books is “day of the LORD” found?
■ How many times does “day of the LORD” occur in the other 7 prophetic
books?
■ What are the books?
■ Is one book Isaiah?
● Which chapter?
■ Is another book Jeremiah?
● Which chapter?
■ Is another book Ezekiel?
● Which 2 chapters?
■ Is another book Amos?
● Which chapter?
■ Is another book Obadiah?
■ Is another book Zephaniah?
● Which chapter?
■ Is another book Malachi?
● Which chapter?
○ Are other ways of referring to the “day” found throughout prophetic literature
(e.g., “a day,” “those days,” “that day”) are used by Joel as well?
■ In which 2 chapters?
■ Within Joel, does the “day” refer only to a final day of judgment upon the
nations?
● Which chapter speaks of a final day of judgment upon the
nations?
■ Does the “day” also speak of God’s ongoing judgment of Israel, both past
and future?
● Which 2 chapters speak of God’s ongoing judgment of Israel, both
past and future?
■ Does the “day” also speak of instances of his intervention between Israel
and the nations?
● In which chapter?
○ In each case, the “day of the Lord” indicates a time when the presence of the
Lord brings (what 2 things?).
■ Does the “day of the Lord” indicate a time when the presence of the Lord
brings judgment?
■ Does the “day of the Lord” also indicate a time when the presence of the
Lord brings deliverance and blessing?
● judgment or deliverance and blessing → Is it depending on
the circumstances?
○ Therefore, although the “day” heralds destruction for the nations, does it also
function as a time of salvation for God’s people?
■ Does the Lord remains a refuge amid the chaos of judgment?
● Which chapter shows this?
● 2. Repentance
○
Mnemonic: CRY
1. Cry to avoid judgment
2. Return to God’s blessing
3. Yield to God’s sovereignty
