The Book of Joel presents a vivid account of a devastating locust plague that serves as a metaphor for impending divine judgment. Joel calls for repentance, urging the people to turn back to God with sincerity. He prophesies the outpouring of God's Spirit on all people, a promise of restoration and hope. The book emphasizes themes of repentance, divine mercy, and the transformative power of God's presence, encouraging readers to seek spiritual renewal and trust in God's deliverance.
1. The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.2. Hear this, you old men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land. Has this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?3. Tell you your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
1. Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is near at hand;2. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread on the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.3. A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.
1. For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,2. I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.3. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
