The Day Of The Lord: The Prophecy Of Joel -- By: Quentin McCart

Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 17:52 (Winter 2013)
Article: The Day Of The Lord: The Prophecy Of Joel
Author: Quentin McCart


The Day Of The Lord: The Prophecy Of Joel

Quentin McCart

* Quentin McCart, M.Div., history teacher, John Tyler High School, Tyler, Texas; and, Th.M. student, Tyndale Theological Seminary, Hurst, Texas

The purpose of this article is to provide an exegetical commentary of the book of Joel with emphasis upon the prophet’s predictions outlining the events to occur at the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord (יוֹם יְהֹוָה) is major doctrine.1 Many of the Old Testament prophets addressed it, and the New Testament apostles taught the doctrine (cf. 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10). One such Old Testament prophet, Joel, used a devastating locust plague in his own time to warn his people with regard to a coming greater judgment upon the land: the day of the Lord. The article herein will examine the prophet’s message and the details it provides the reader concerning that end times event.

Historical Context (1:1–20)

Little is known regarding the prophet Joel.2 No consensus exists as to when he lived and prophesied.3 What is known is that he prophesied during the

time of a devastating locust plague in the land of Judah, and that he used the calamity to call the people to repentance, in addition to warning them regarding a coming greater judgment (i.e. the day of the Lord).

Joel followed the modern education practice of using “teachable moments.”4 The land of Judah had been overwhelmed by a horde of locusts, which had utterly devastated the agricultural economy.5 The Lord

promised just such a plague—in the blessing and cursing passages of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28—if the nation fell into disobedience.6 Whenever Joel prophesied, it appears that it was during a time of national apostasy, hence, the reason for the plague. Joel took advantage of the judgment both to call his people to repentance and to call them to remember this judgment as a warning not to depart from God again.

The Bible contains many exhortations to remember the g...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()