Old Testament survey (29): Joel

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. (Joel 1:4)

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. (Joel 2:25-27)

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (Joel 2:28-32)

Overview

[1] Joel, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

Joel’s theme is “the day of the LORD.” He makes specific reference to it five times: Joel 1:15; 2:1–2; 2:10–11; 2:30–31; and 3:14–16. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all refer to the Day of the Lord. Sometimes they call it “that day.” Zechariah particularly emphasizes “that day.” What is “that day”? It is the Day of the Lord, or the Day of Jehovah. Joel is the one who introduces the Day of the Lord in prophecy. Yonder from the mountaintop of the beginning of written prophecy, this man looked down through the centuries, seeing further than any other prophet saw—he saw the Day of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord is a technical expression in Scripture which is fraught with meaning. It includes the millennial kingdom which will come at the second coming of Christ, but Joel is going to make it very clear to us that it begins with the Great Tribulation period, the time of great trouble. If you want to set a boundary or parenthesis at the end of the Day of the Lord, it would be the end of the Millennium when the Lord Jesus puts down all unrighteousness and establishes His eternal Kingdom here upon the earth.

The Day of the Lord is also an expression that is peculiar to the prophets of the Old Testament. It does not include the period when the church is in the world, because none of the prophets spoke about a group of people who would be called out from among the Gentiles, the nation Israel, and all the tribes of the earth, to be brought into one great body called the church which would be raptured out of this world. The prophets neither spoke nor wrote about the church. (Read the complete article)

[2] Book of Joel, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)

A terrible plague of locusts is followed by a severe famine throughout the land. Joel uses these happenings as the catalyst to send words of warning to Judah. Unless the people repent quickly and completely, enemy armies will devour the land as did the natural elements. Joel appeals to all the people and the priests of the land to fast and humble themselves as they seek God's forgiveness. If they will respond, there will be renewed material and spiritual blessings for the nation. But the Day of the Lord is coming. At this time the dreaded locusts will seem as gnats in comparison, as all nations receive His judgment.

The overriding theme of the book of Joel is the Day of the Lord, a day of God’s wrath and judgment. This is the Day in which God reveals His attributes of wrath, power and holiness, and it is a terrifying day to His enemies. In the first chapter, the Day of the Lord is experienced historically by the plague of locusts upon the land. Joel 2:1-17 is a transitional chapter in which Joel uses the metaphor of the locust plague and drought to renew a call to repentance. Joel 2:18-3:21 describes the Day of the Lord in eschatological terms and answers the call to repentance with prophecies of physical restoration (Joel 2:21-27), spiritual restoration (Joel 2:28-32), and national restoration (Joel 3:1-21). Read the complete article

[3] Joel, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

Joel, a prophet of Judah, probably exercised his ministry during the reign of Joash (2 Chronicle 22 to 24). In his youth he may have known Elijah, and he certainly was a contemporary of Elisha. The plagues of insects, which were the token of the divine chastening, give occasion for the unveiling of the coming "day of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:12, refs.), in its two aspects of judgment on the Gentiles and blessing for Israel.

Joel is in three chief parts:

1. The plague of insects, Joel 1:1-20.
2. The day of the Lord, Joel 2:1-3:8.
3. Retrospect of the day of the Lord, and full kingdom blessing, Joel 3:9-21.

[4] Repentance And Restoration Contrasted With The Devastation Of The Coming Day Of The Lord, by Paul G. Apple

Both the book of Hosea and the book of Joel provide solid support for the dispensational position of maintaining a distinction between God’s program for Israel and God’s program for the church. How does a passage like Isaiah 49:14-15 fit into an amillennial perspective? Edward Young comments: “Even though the forces of infidelity and unbelief, of indifference and ignorance, may attempt to overthrow the Church, yet God is with her, for she is ever before His eyes.” That view really waters down the impact of Hosea where God restores His adulterous people to the covenant relationship. In Joel we are going to see more of the details of God’s program for Israel as it relates to the coming Day of the Lord. (Read the complete article)

Discussion

[1] The expression “The day of the LORD” appears five times in Joel 1:15; 2:1–2, 10–11; 2:30–31; and 3:14–16.

[2] “Palmer worm” (gazam) means to gnaw off; “Locust” (arbeh) means to be many or migratory; “Cankerworm” (yeleq) means to lick off; “Caterpillar” (chasil) means to devour or consume.

Some expositors interpret these words as describing four stages of the development of the caterpillar, while others consider them to be four different kinds of insects. On many occasions, locusts devastated large portions of the earth. The island of Cyprus was stripped by locusts for 250 years. The Israelite was permitted to eat locusts (Leviticus 11:22). Locusts were sent as a judgment from God (see Deuteronomy 28:38-42; 1 Kings 8:37). In Revelation 9:1-12 is the final fulfillment of locusts. (from J. Vernon McGee)

[3] Book Of Joel (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21).

He probably flourished in the reign of Uzziah (about B.C. 800), and was contemporary with Amos and Isaiah.

The contents of this book are, (1.) A prophecy of a great public calamity then impending over the land, consisting of a want of water and an extraordinary plague of locusts (Joel 1:1-2:11). (2.) The prophet then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them of his readiness to forgive (Joel 2:12-17), and foretelling the restoration of the land to its accustomed fruitfulness (Joel 2:18-26). (3.) Then follows a Messianic prophecy, quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39). (4.) Finally, the prophet foretells portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God (Joel 3, but in the Hebrew text 4).

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Joel: Introduction, Outline, and Argument, by Tom Hawkins (available in PDF)

[2] An Argument of the Book of Joel, by David Malick (available in PDF)

[3] Joel, by Hampton Keathley IV (available in PDF)

[4] The Book of Joel, by Imanuel Christian (available in PDF)

Sermons on Joel (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee AR

[2] Sermons by Rev. Chris Harbin, Rocks Baptist Church - Pamplin, VA, from Central Baptist Church - Lowesville

• Loving Differences Aside, Joel 2:18 -29, (available in PDF)
• Rejoicing in God’s Love, Joel 2:23 -32

[4] Weathering the Storms of Life, by Stephen J Feild

[5] The God who loves to relent, by Andreas Karstad

[6] God’s Prophetic Promise - The Holy Spirit, by Noel Sterne

[7] Joel 1:1-3:21 – God’s Mercy, by Eddie Steetle

[8] Joel 2 Fasting for those Far Away, by Rev. Wilbur D. Winborne Sr.

[9] Joel 3, by Paul Hawkins

[10] The Flow Factor, by Edward Sermon

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.

Old Testament survey (28): Hosea

The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. (Hosea 1:2)

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Hosea 2:23)

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:5)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receivea us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (Hosea 14:2-4)

Overview

[1] Hosea, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

Beginning with Hosea and concluding with Malachi, there are twelve short prophecies designated as the Minor Prophets, while Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are called the Major Prophets. The Minor Prophets are so called because of the size of the books, not because of their content. However, even that criterion for division is not completely accurate since Hosea is a longer book than Daniel. Actually, the so–called Minor Prophets are not minor. Each of them batted in the major league and was a star in the message that he brought.

The Minor Prophets were exceedingly nationalistic, but they were not isolationists. They dealt with the fact that God’s people had broken the law of God, the Ten Commandments. This necessarily puts an emphasis on works, good works. For this reason the liberals and the promoters of the social gospel have used the Minor Prophets a great deal. Unfortunately, they have missed the main message of these prophets. We will see some of that when we get into the prophecy of Hosea. The Minor Prophets warned against godless alliances with other nations. They were extremely patriotic and denounced political and moral corruption. They warned Israel against an isolationism from God. (Read the complete article)

[2] Book of Hosea, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)

The Book of Hosea can be divided into two parts: (1) Hosea 1:1-3:5 is a description of an adulterous wife and a faithful husband, symbolic of the unfaithfulness of Israel to God through idolatry, and (2) Hosea 3:6-14:9 contains the condemnation of Israel, especially Samaria, for the worship of idols and her eventual restoration.

The first section of the book contains three distinctive poems illustrating how God’s children returned time after time to idolatry. God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, but after bearing him three children, she walks away from Hosea to her lovers. The symbolical emphasis can be seen clearly in the first chapter as Hosea compares Israel’s actions to turning from a marriage to life as a prostitute. The second section contains Hosea’s denunciation of the Israelites but followed by the promises and the mercies of God.

The Book of Hosea is a prophetic accounting of God’s relentless love for His children. Since the beginning of time God’s ungrateful and undeserving creation has been accepting God’s love, grace, and mercy while still unable to refrain from its wickedness.

The last part of Hosea shows how God’s love once again restores His children as He forgets their misdeeds when they turn back to Him with a repentant heart. The prophetic message of Hosea foretells the coming of Israel’s Messiah 700 years in the future. Hosea is quoted often in the New Testament. (Read the complete article)

[3] Hosea, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

Hosea was a contemporary of Amos in Israel, and of Isaiah and Micah in Judah, and his ministry continued after the first, or Assyrian, captivity of the northern kingdom 2 Kings 15:29. His style is abrupt, metaphorical, and figurative.

Israel is Jehovah’s adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately to be purified and restored. This is Hosea’s distinctive message, which may be summed up in his two words, Lo-ammi, “not my people,” and Ammi, “my people.” Israel is not merely apostate and sinful--that is said also; but her sin takes its character from the exalted relationship into which she has been brought.

The book is in three parts:

1. The dishonoured wife, Hosea 1:1-3:5.
2. The sinful people, Hosea 4:1-13:8.
3. The ultimate blessing and glory of Israel, Hosea 13:9-14:9.

The events recorded in Hosea cover a period of 60 years (Ussher)

Discussion

[1] Bible scholars are divided on the issue of whether to take Hosea and Gomer’s story literally or as an allegorical story of God’s passionate and persistent love for His unfaithful people, the nation of Israel.

Those who say that the Book of Hosea is allegorical and not literal say that God’s command for Hosea to marry an adulterous woman violates His holiness. On the other hand, there are Bible scholars who say that Hosea and Gomer’s story is presented in such a simple narrative that it should be taken literally.

The middle ground may be held by those scholars who say that God’s command for Hosea to marry adulterous Gomer should be taken “proleptically” that is, looking towards the future. This view, holding a literal interpretation of Hosea, says that Gomer was chaste at the beginning of the marriage but later on became immoral.

[2] The promises of God in Hosea (based on Selected Promises of God in Each Book of the Bible, by Kenneth Boa)

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. (Hosea 1:7)

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. (Hosea 1:10-11)

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. (Hosea 2:19-20)

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Hosea 2:23)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. (Hosea 11:4)

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. (Hosea 11:9)

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. (Hosea 13:14)

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (Hosea 14:9)

[3] Quotations from Hosea are found in Matthew 2:15; 9:15; 12:7; Romans 9:25-26.

[4] Biblical references to adultery:

• Genesis 39:12
• Exodus 20:14; 22:16-17
• Leviticus 18:20; 9:20; 19:29; 20:10-12
• Deuteronomy 5:18; 22:13-29; 23:17; 27:20, 22-23
• Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:3-9; 5:20-22; 6:24-29, 32
• Hosea 1:2
• Matthew 5:27-28; 5:32; 15:19; 19:9, 18
• Mark 7:21; 10:11-12; 10:19
• Luke 16:18; 18:20
• John 8:4-11
• Romans 7:3; 13:9
• 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10, 13, 15-16, 18
• Galatians 5:19, 21
• Ephesians 5:3, 5
• Hebrews 13:4

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] An Exegetical Commentary: Hosea (14 articles), by Richard D. Patterson (download PDF)

[2] Materials by David Malick

• An Argument of the Book of Hosea (download PDF )
• An Introduction to the Book of Hosea (download PDF)

[3] Hosea, by Hampton Keathley IV (download PDF )

[4] Undying Love - The Story of Hosea and Gomer, by Richard L. Strauss (download PDF )

[5] Anchored by God’s Love (Lesson 2), by Kay Daigle (download PDF )

[6] The Minor Prophets, by J. Hampton Keathley, III (download PDF )

[7] Marital Unfaithfulness Breaks the Heart of God's Loyal Love, by Paul G. Apple

[8] Readings on marital infidelity

• Marital infidelity: causes, consequences and conclusions
• Priceless counsel from a bargain sale book: “How to save your marriage alone”
• "Sad Movies Always Make Me Cry"
• Surviving Marital Infidelity

Sermons on Hosea (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

Hosea 1:2

[1] The Power of a Name, by Brent Hudson, Atlantic Baptist University / River of Life Church / Allison Church

[2] Love Without Limits, by Herman L. Murray

[3] Can You Love an Unfaithful Thing? by Robert Wright

[4] Hosea, by Jason W. Miller

[5] Our Father - 7-25-04 Sermon, by Donald McNeeley

[6] Hosea outline for study, by Jason W. Miller

[7] OT Survey 113 Seminar 21 Hosea, by Andrew Hodge

Hosea 4:1 -19

[1] Ephraim has his idols, Sermons from Ulster

Hosea 5:15 -6:6

[1] Outside the Lines, Central Baptist Church - Lowesville

Hosea 6:6

[1] Knowing God, by James Huffman

[2] The Right and Wrong Way to Live, by Bruce W. Logue

[3] Missing the Point, by Bruce W. Logue

[4] Fertilizer for Fruit, Hosea 6, by Michael Urciuoli

Hosea 13:14

[1] Ransomed from the Power of Death, South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee AR

Hosea 14

[1] Restored Wineskins, Hosea 14:1 -9, Central Baptist Church, Lowesville

[2] The Cure, Hosea 14, by Michael Urciuoli

[3] The Road back Home, by David Harp

[4] The Reunion of Two Prodigals Part 8, by Greg Stuckey

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.