The three chapters of the Book of Joel are a summary of the Lord’s relation with Israel and the End Time events that are coming. Joel is a confirmation that the so-called Minor Prophets are really Millennial Prophets.

The history of Israel has been the result of its location along the major routes between major political powers. Army after army swept through the land of Israel during its long history. The beginning verses of the Prophet Joel liken these armies to locusts that denuded the land and devoured its produce. But, through the prophet, the Lord says that those times will come to an end in what we would call the “Last Days.”

The Lord Jesus said that He would not return until Israel called on the name of the Lord (Matthew 23:39). The actions of the Lord described in Joel seem to begin when Israel laments her relationship with God (Joel 1:8). Remember, long ago the Lord declared Israel was His wife. It appears that the lamentations extend beyond just the nation of Israel, because the joy of mankind has withered away (Joel 1:12). This would indicate the time of the Tribulation.

The prophet reminds us that there are no offerings in the House of God (Joel 1:13.) Of course, that ceased almost two-thousand years ago. And in case you are not sure of the time the prophet is describing in this passage, the Book of Joel declares that the day the Lord ends sin and evil, or the “Day of the Lord,” is near five times (Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31, 3:14).

Chapter two begins with a call to sound the alarm, blow the trumpet because there is an army approaching unlike any ever seen, nor will ever be seen again. It will be a day of darkness and gloom (Joel 2:1-2). To confirm the apocalyptic nature of this prophecy, the prophet describes the sun, moon and stars being darkened in three verses (Joel 2:10, 2:31, 3:15).

At this time the Lord calls for repentance for Israel (Joel 2:13-17) because He is about to bring an end to this final invasion.

The Lord speaks of an army from the north, which exactly matches the armies of Gog and Magog as described in Ezekiel. The description of the defeat of this army occurs in just one verse (Joel 2:20). The stench of dead bodies will be noticeable. The people of Israel will spend seven months burying the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-12).

Following this the Lord promises abundance and declares that He will repay the nations and their armies for the many years of destruction in Israel. Four times in Joel the Lord promises Israel that they will never again be invaded, made ashamed or pillaged. Twice, for holy emphasis, the Lord promises Israel that they will never be made ashamed again (Joel 2:26-27).

The Lord foretells of gathering all nations and bringing them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. That name means “judgment,” so the Lord is bringing them to the Valley of Judgment. This clearly parallels Revelation 16:16.

It is interesting that the prophet inserted a paragraph against the Phoenicians or Philistines or Palestinians, traditional enemies of Israel, in chapter three. He then warns Israel to prepare for war and make their plows into swords and their pruning hooks into spears (Joel 3:10), the reverse of other prophecies. This is followed by phrases like “the harvest is ripe,” “the winepress is full.” These are apocalyptic phrases, phrases pointing to the End Times, that are also found in the Revelation.

Joel 3:17-21 are promises of the Millennial Kingdom. Judah and Jerusalem will be inhabited for as long as this world exists.

In the last verse of the Book of Joel, the Lord emphasizes the importance of Zion, or the City of David (II Samuel 5:7) for that is where He will live (Joel 3:21). Praise His name forever!