Joel Interpretation

Though the entire book of Joel is something I enjoyed reading, for my interpretation I am going to focus on Chapter 2 verses 18-32. During my initial reading of Joel earlier in the semester I found the first part depressing, but the second part uplifting. I came to realize through further reading there is so much more this prophetic book has to offer. I guess that is true with any piece of literature. To really grasp the fullness of Joel, I had to read and reread. I also consoled the aid of several books including The Anchor Bible on Joel, the Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, and Introduction and Commentary for Joel and Amos.

Judah, the setting for the book, is devastated by a vast horde of locusts. This invasion of locusts destroys everything—the fields of grain, the vineyards, the gardens and the trees. Joel symbolically describes the locusts as a marching human army and views all of this as divine judgment coming against the nation for her sins. The book is highlighted by two major events. One is the invasion of locusts and the other the outpouring of the Spirit. The initial fulfillment of this is quoted by Peter in Acts 2 as having taken place at Pentecost. This summary was provided by gotquestions.com.

From my discernment, the book is divided into two main sections; The invasion and devastation of the locusts, and the coming of the Spirit. There are several themes; however the common theme that Joel seems to be centered on is the ‘day of YHWH’. (Crenshaw 47) After reading it several times more, I can see that Joel uses present day threats and catastrophe in Judah of the locust to better describe the future day of the Lord. He calls his people to repent and turn to God. The second half of the book, the part I am focusing on, is the Divine speech. This speech proclaims the restoration of the plague-damaged land of Judah. I am captivated by the use of metaphors and descriptive language in this prophetic word. For example verse 20 says “But I will remove the northern army from you, and I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, and its vanguard into the eastern sea…” The army being described could be the swarms of locusts that caused such great misery, although locusts usually approach from the east or southeast. (Crenshaw 151) I have done some reading of these scholarly writings and interpretations of Joel, and I am fascinated to realize how timeless scripture truly is. I am truly awed by the hope and elegant poetry that this book has, although it starts of depressing if you will. I chose to focus on this section because this is the turning point for the book of Joel. This now turns to the prophesy by Joel, the promise of better days, and the Day of the Lord.

Afterward in verse 28 does not specifically point to end times, but rather just establish the chronological sequence between the two stages. (Hubbard 68) “The difference between the two stages is not that the first is material and the second spiritual but the first is the restoration of old damage and the second is the inauguration of a new era in God’s dealing with his people.” (Hubbard 68) I find that we may often miss the point if we are reading for information or to cross it off the to-do list. I have really realized the importance of slowing down and rereading. Although lectio divina is a wonderful exercise, I think some key information can be missed without seeking expert commentary. Granted, there are some very liberal commentaries that take things a little too literal. I have spent the last week in these three chapters of Joel and got so many answers, however there are so many questions still. I guess it is like Corrigan said that questions that require answers are not deep enough; rather questions you must sit with and wrestle with are questions that will give you a better answer.

The exercise we did for class was one of the times I questioned professor Corrigan’s teaching methods. However, I was quickly silenced the next day when we brought our paintbrushes and supplies to class. The painting I did was mediocre at best, but it really brought the literature to life. If I got the most out of a single exercise it would be the painting of the scene of Joel, it focused on a specific portion of Joel. It is kind of like every piece of literature. To really understand, I must sit with the text and engulf myself in it.

To wrap things up, Joel can be interpreted in several ways but from my best reading and rereading and lectio divina study of the book; this is the best I could come up with. It was also helpful to console the help of James Crenshaw and David Hubbard. I am no expert on interpreting Old Testemement text’s, so those two were very helpful. I took from this prophesy that no matter what destruction or heartache you may be experiencing, the Lord will soon rescue you. For it says in Joel chapter 2 verse 32 “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered…