Joel

Now onto another book! I'm following my Catholic Bible, and Joel is next in line. Joel was a prophet, and is hard for scholars to pinpoint what timeframe he prophesized. Some believe it was around 835 BC, in the pre-exilic era of Judah. The exile being in 600 BC of the Jews to Babylon. Others think Joel was around 400 BC, making him in the post-exilic era. His message is still powerful and can be related to the behavior of the Israelites, because it seems they never really learn.

Had it been in the pre-exilic era (and before Hosea), it would have been around the time of Queen Athaliah, who if you remember from my 2 Kings study, took over the kingdom after her son died in battle. And she was a wicked leader, first killing all of her son's heirs. But she didn't notice that her son's son, Joash, (so her grandson) had escaped her wrath, and eventually came to claim the throne. If Joel was from this time, his prophecy could be related to the upcoming time of Athaliah's wicked rule. Or what would become of their land/people after the exile.

If it were not until after the exile, it could relate to the rule of the Persian empire of the land after the Jews made their return from Babylonia. Which could put Joel around or a little after the prophet Ezra.

Whether it was pre or post exilic, Joel's message is the same: repent and turn to the Lord. He is the only one who can save you.

Stay tuned for my study through Joel. After Joel, I may go back to Ezra and read through all the prophets.