Hey guys,
Sorry for posting this so close to the quiz itself. Time is a scarce resource and the opportunity cost of writing is precious sleep. I will try to readjust my habits and/or find some one to assist in the blog post.
This month's bible quiz is on Joel. Because Yi Long laoshi is so good as provide english info, here is the copy-paste intro of joel
PURPOSE
To warn Judah of God’s impending judgment because of its sins and to urge thepeople to turn back to God
AUTHOR
Joel son of Pethuel
ORIGINAL AUDIENCE
The people of Judah (the southern kingdom)
DATE WRITTEN
Probably during the time Joel may have prophesied, from approximately 835—796 BC
SETTING
The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent Taking God for granted they
had turned to self-centeredness idolatry and sin Joel warned them that this kind of life style would
inevitably bring God’s Judgment
KEY VERSES
“That is why the LORD says, ‘Turn to me now while there is time Give me your hearts
Come with fasting weeping and mourning Don't tear your clothing in your grief but tear your hearts
Instead ’ Return to the LORD your God for he is merciful and compassionate slow to get angry and filled
with unfailing love He is eager to relent and not punish" 2:12, 13
KEY PEOPLE
Joel the people of Judah
KEY PLACE
Jerusalem
OUTLINE
Disaster of the nation
• 1:1-12 Plague of the locusts
• 1:13-20 Call to repentance
The day of the Lord
• 2:1-11 Destruction
• 2:12-17 Need to return to the Lord
• 2:18-27 Promise of abundance
• 2:28-32 Promise of "pouring out" His spirit
Judgment of nations
• 3:1-16 Israel to go to war with other Nations
• 3:17-21 Glorious future of Judah
KEY THEMES
Day of the Lord
Repentance
The Lord in their midst
The promise of the future outpouring of the Spirit
Eh just to add something about the interpretation,
The use of locust to prophecize the day of the Lord is interpreted differently by scholars. However for simplicity's sake the most common interpretation is that chapter 1 describes an actual locust infestation used as an prophetic message/warning; chapter 2 uses this image to portray a human army in terms if a decisive conflict on the day of the Lord. (other interpretations include using the locust as a metaphor for a military army and chapter 2 refers to the Assyrians or Babylons invading)
Please read up!!!
Labels: Bible introductions
