The occasion for the Book of Joel was about a multi-year locust plague that had descended upon Judah…one without parallel in the country’s history. Consequently, the basic economy was ruined due to the vast agricultural devastation. The prophet Joel believed the disaster was God’s judgment…and used a pointed metaphor of withered plants laid waste to symbolize the spiritual and moral decay of the people. He reminded them that they couldn’t take peace and prosperity for granted…for there was a day of judgment coming for the whole world, in which mankind would have to make an account before God. All the while warning them that there were consequences to their sin, unrepentance, and blatant rejection of God. Joel saw this judgment not only as a stern warning, but as the simple joy of the Lord being cruelly snatched away…with hopelessness thrust in its place.
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