Is the prophet Joel talking about past events or future events in Joel 2-3?
QUESTION:
Is the book of Joel referring to the destruction of Jerusalem By Nebuchadnezzar, or the Romans, or the future day of the Lord?
This makes it sound like Nebuchadnezzar:
“They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.”
Joel 2:9 ESV
But this makes it sound like it’s the future Day of the Lord:
““For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,”
Joel 3:1-2 ESV
ANSWER:
The ENTIRE book of Joel is a description of events that will happen inside the 7 year period of tribulation that is to come. There are many scholars who believe the first chapter is refers to past events, then shifts to future events in Chapter 2. That chapter 1 and 2 are separate poems describing separate events. Primary logic is in the meaning of the term “Day of the Lord”. This term is used Exclusively in scripture as God’s defining term for Tribulation. The day God’s judgement comes upon the whole world (flesh) and redeems it (cleanses it). It is never used to describe plagues, events, or even hardships in the OT. Either way you look at the parsing up of the book the arc is the same. The message is the same. AND for sure, Chapter 2 and 3 are descriptions of a “cosmic judgement” yet to come.
Here’s a little bit more of some things to take note:
-DARKENED SKY - Joel describes moments of God’s wrath when the sun is darkened and other signs appear in the sky. This is a solid marker to readers to signal the proper context in coming events. Numerous prophets talk about this sign in the OT - Joel, Zechariah, Daniel,
-LOCUSTS - chapter 2 is where Joel really lays out some gruesome details outlining the coming judgment to Israel (non believing Jews) who are left on the earth during tribulation. Locusts are another symbol that point to tribulation - complete devastation. Only… Joel mentions that Locusts will “seem like gnats” compared to what kind of creatures are coming to wreak havoc.
-Joel was written between 835-800BC -
-the purpose of Joel’s written work here, is to warn Israel in a real “here and now” way that God’s judgement is coming to them in general, and on a future day.
FIRST AUDIENCE - The prophets of the OT keep warning Israel to repent, but even when they would, their repentance was limited. Works based and law keeping acts. The temple sacrifices where just a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice The prophets of the Old Testament continually warned Israel to repent, but even when they did, their repentance was limited to law-keeping and works. They need a savior…
TODAYS AUDIENCE - We need a savior… without true repentance…judgement will for sure and harsh! God can use judgement, nature, sorrow, pain to draw us closer to him…By his grace and mercy… he provides us that savior we need… Jesus Christ. We should NOT waste any more time… if someone is on the fence… get off and give your life to Christ before it’s too late. Believers can rest in the fact that a day is coming when God’s tangible presences will be where we live. He will reign in the physical. One day God will defeat evil. God LONGS to show us mercy.