Joel
Prophet of the Day of the Lord
Name Information
- Meaning: "The Lord is God"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Joel was a prophet who called Judah to repent in the face of a devastating locust plague, using it as a picture of the coming Day of the Lord. He promised that if the people turned back to God, He would restore them and pour out His Spirit — a promise fulfilled at Pentecost.
⏰ Uncertain (possibly 9th–5th century BC)
Roles
- Prophet
Relationships
- Father: Pethuel
Story
Joel described a devastating locust plague as a sign of God’s judgment.
Urged priests, leaders, and all people to fast and cry out to God.
Warned of a greater future judgment — the Day of the Lord.
Promised that God would restore the land and bless His people if they repented.
Declared that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, a prophecy fulfilled at Pentecost.
Spiritual Significance
- Used a locust plague to call for national repentance.
- Warned of the coming Day of the Lord — a time of judgment and salvation.
- Prophesied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people.
Christ Connection
Peter quoted Joel at Pentecost, showing that the outpouring of the Spirit comes through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension.
The Day of the Lord points to Christ’s return to judge and restore all things.
What We Can Learn
- God uses crises to call people back to Himself.
- True repentance is from the heart, not just outward actions.
- God’s Spirit is given to all who call on His name.
Memory Verses
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
— Joel 2:13And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
— Joel 2:28
Key Passages
- Joel 1–3
- Acts 2:16–21
AI is used as a tool to help create this content, informed by prior study and arranged in a study-friendly format. Every effort is made to keep it faithful to Scripture, but errors can happen — if you notice one, please let us know at contact@bibleinshort.com.