Book of joel matthew henrys bible commentary concise. The nook book ebook of the the pulpit commentarybook of joel by h. In the two speeches that make up this book, joel uses an agricultural crisis to measure his audiences knowledge of its god, warn them of a worse disaster if they ignore his preaching, and express his conviction that all faithful judahites would someday enjoy a secure future. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of joel. Joel reflects on the day of the lord and how true repentance will bring about the great restoration hoped for in the other prophetic books. Why the book of joel is second in the order of the 12 minor prophets overall, the sequence of books in the twelve conforms to the historical periods of the prophets, beginning with hosea and amos from the mideighth century b. Its hard know his exact time, because joel doesnt mention any other kings or prophets. This makes joel a preexilic prophet, who served before the fall of the northern kingdom of israel 721 b. One of the 12 minor prophets, joel penned most of his 73verse book in the form of a poem. Nothing is known about the prophet joel whose name this book bears. Ever mindful of the wider context and composition of these ancient but living texts, david hubbard shows how joel and amos addressed israels mind and heart.
There are a number of good commentaries on joel, and the following are five of the most helpful. Does not always interpret the scripture literallyand sometimes replaces israel with the church note. The book of joel, a book in the christian old testament, is part of a group of twelve prophetic books known as the minor. This commentary is a valuable guide to the fascinating world and challenging word of these two prophets. The book of joel describes the devastation of a vast horde of locusts as a marching army destroying everything in its path. Read joel commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Joel free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Joel calls the inhabitants of judah and jerusalem to lament and return to the lord during a time of national disaster. Verses 17 it is a foolish fancy which some of the jews have, that this joel the prophet was the same with that joel who was the son of. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament.
In other words, god says, nothing like this has ever happened in your lifetime, or in your fathers lifetime. Besides this very short message we do not know anything about the person and circumstances of joel s life. The first verse of this short book names joel jehovah is god the son of pethuel as author. First, the good news calvins prayers are excellent, and are very convicting suggestion. Joel 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. A free bible version and commentary on the book of joel in easyenglish. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Joel commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. No further details are given about him anywhere in scripture. The book of joel also makes ample mention of priests, temple rituals, and nations, such as phoenicia, philistia, egypt, and edom, that were prominent in the late ninth century bc.
The book of joel has striking linguistic parallels to the language of amos, micah, zephaniah, jeremiah and ezekiel. Read joel 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Most scholars date the book after the exile to babylon 586 b. This chapter is the description of a lamentable devastation made of the country of judah by locusts and caterpillars. All of this points to a date of approximately 835 bc or soon after, making joel one of the earliest writing prophets, as well as a contemporary of the prophet elisha. Over the past couple of years i have focused on building a collection of commentaries that will include only the. Locusts are similar to grasshoppers and can congregate in swarms of millions of insects, stripping bare crops, trees, and grass in their path. Book of joel overview insight for living ministries.
A huge plague of locusts connected with a great drought gave the occasion for writing this book. The cause of gods people is pleaded against their enemies, whom god would in due time reckon with joel 3. Commentary on joel 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Joel was just a messenger, a spiritual currier entrusted with a message from god. Joel commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole bible. When i add a book i almost always remove a book, a practice that allows me to focus on quality over quantity. Little is known about joel, a prophet from judah perhaps jerusalem. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them.
Both in ancient times and today, there was no way to stop them when they hit. There have been many guesses as to the time of when joel lived. We are altogether uncertain concerning the time when this prophet prophesied. Joel chapter 3 matthew henry complete commentary on. Estimates for the dates of the book of joel range from the ninth century to the second century b. Like all scripture, the book of joel is the word of god. Best commentaries on each book of the bible tim challies. The pulpit commentary relates some information from pseudoepiphanius, who, in his lives of the prophets. This website will provide a more detailed and technical commentary to the jamisonbrereton rig veda translation oxford univ. Besides this very short message we do not know anything about the person and circumstances of joels life. While most of the other prophets can be dated with some degree of accuracy, it is notoriously difficult to date the book of joel. Verses 2832 matthew henrys commentary bible gateway.
You can find the best commentary on joel for you using the tools on the right side. Study the bible online using commentary on joel and more. John gill unfortunately all too often offers a nonliteral interpretation in the old testament especially. He sent us to warn them about the consequences of their sin, and to give them a chance to ask for forgiveness. Some scientists say the book has been written around 400 bc or even later. Best commentaries and books on joel logos bible software. Study joel using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The prophecy of joel may seem unimportant as it contains only three brief chapters. Joel with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. This commentary has been through advanced checking. In the first place, the work is undated and gives few clues as to the time of origin. Study the bible online using commentary on joel 1 and more. Ultimately the book of joel will find its fulfillment in the great tribulation, the time of jacobs trouble, preceding the judgment of the nations 3.
However, this little book is like an atom bombit is not very big, but it sure is potent and powerful. Advertisement for his book the jewish question here is the book the jewish question john gill commentary on joel. Joel 3 in the close of the foregoing chapter we had a gracious promise of deliverance in mount zion and jerusalem. Matthew henry commentary on joel 1 obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament allen, leslie c. This theory of an early date of composition was, above all, strongly supported by the fact that no mention is made of. Suggestions have been offered ranging from the ninth century to the second century b. The second major problem in the book concerns the fulfillment of. Commentary on the book of joel by matthew henry old. For those reasons and others i will never have a huge library. Verses 2832 verses 2832 the promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the joel 2. Watch our overview video on the book of joel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Promises are made of the return of mercy upon their repentance joel 2. Some scholars maintain that the prophets borrowed phrases from one another. The book of joel is concerned with the day of yahweh, a coming time when god will judge the world and make all things right.