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Joel 1

20 verses

TL;DR

Joel 1 is a prophetic lament describing a catastrophic locust invasion that devastates Israel’s agriculture, leading the prophet to call the people to repentance and a solemn assembly.

Summary

Joel opens with a summons to the elders and the entire nation to heed the word of the LORD, warning that the calamity is unprecedented. He portrays a relentless chain of destructive insects—locusts, cankerworms, and caterpillars—that devour every plant and crop. The devastation is illustrated by ruined vineyards, fig trees, and the drying of new wine and oil. The chapter continues with a mournful scene of priests and people lamenting the loss of offerings and harvests, emphasizing the sorrowful state of the land and its people. Joel concludes with a stern exhortation to fast, gather, and cry out to the LORD, foretelling that the “day of the LORD” is near and will bring further destruction.

Outline
  1. Call to listen and remember
  2. Destruction by locusts and pestilence
  3. Lament and call to repentance and fast
Themes
Divine judgment, agricultural calamity, communal repentance
Keywords
locustcankerwormcaterpillarvinefig treenew winefastsackclothday of the LORD
People
Joelthe LORD
Places
the landthe house of the LORDthe fieldthe wilderness
Things
locustcankerwormcaterpillarvinefig treenew wineoilmeat offeringdrink offeringsackclothfastassembly
Key Verses
  • Joel 1:2: Begins the prophetic call to all generations.
  • Joel 1:4: Illustrates the relentless nature of the pestilence.
  • Joel 1:10: Depicts the agricultural devastation.
  • Joel 1:14: Calls for repentance, fast, and assembly.
  • Joel 1:15: Warnings of the impending day of the LORD.
Questions
  • What does the description of successive insect devastation suggest about the nature of judgment in Joel’s message?
  • How does the lament of the priests reflect the spiritual state of Israel?
  • Why does Joel emphasize calling the elders and gathering the nation rather than focusing solely on the prophets?
  • What might the ‘day of the LORD’ refer to in the context of this lament?
  • How does the theme of fasting appear throughout Joel and why is it significant?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter expresses lament, devastation, and a solemn warning of divine judgment.