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Joel, son of Pethuel, was a native of Judah. He was well-educated and he was a gifted poet and one of the books of the Bible is named after him. The Bible's book of Joel has two main parts. The first describes a locust plague and a drought. The second is more apocalyptic. Joel sees in both the locust plague and drought the judgment of God. Just as the locusts devoured the land, so will the land be devoured by enemy armies, unless the nation repents of its sins. The Lord promises the people who repent, whether they are Jewish or non-Jewish, an ultimate deliverance from disaster.
Joel also warns punishment against the nations who have wronged the Jews, specifically, Tyre, Sidon, the Philistines, Egypt and Edom. Joel mentions the great and terrible "day of the Lord" which is in the future, but everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
In chapter 2, Joel makes the famous prediction of the Lord "After I have poured out My rains again, I will pour out My Spirit upon all of you! Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men see visions."
The theme of Joel's message is one of coming judgment if Jerusalem does not repent. Joel also speaks of coming prosperity and final blessing, if the people respond in faith.
Joel, means "Ya is God", and his book is the second of the twelve minor prophets.
Next person in the Bible: John the Baptist
Go to People in the Bible or Women in the Bible