Old Testament Joel-Jonah Study Guide

Author of Joel

Joel son of Pethuel; name means “Yahweh is God”; possibly priestly

Date of Joel

Likely 848–841 BC; early date; no mention of later empires

Audience of Joel

Judah; prophecy prompted by a locust plague

Theme of Joel

The Day of the Lord brings judgment to rebels and blessing to the repentant

Structure of Joel

I: Judgment (1:1–2:17); II: Grace (2:18–3:21)

Purpose of locust plague

To warn the people of coming judgment

Proper response to plague

Weep and lament over sin

Key point of Joel 2:12–17

Repentance is the only escape; God alone protects from God’s wrath

Outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2:28–31)

Radical because God pours His Spirit on all people

NT fulfillment of Joel 2

Acts 2:17–21 and Romans 10:13

Promise of Justice in Joel

God judges oppressors and restores His people

Promise of Restoration in Joel

God’s people will live with Him in a renewed land, free from sin

Amos’ background

Shepherd from Tekoa; not a professional prophet; sent to northern Israel

Message of Amos

God roars in judgment over oppression and hypocrisy

Context of Amos

During reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam II; time of prosperity

Key verse of Amos (3:2)

Israel’s privilege does not shield them from judgment

Structure of Amos

1–2: Nations; 2–4: Israel’s sins; 5–6: Call to repent; 7–9: Five visions

Israel’s sins in Amos

Injustice, oppression, idolatry, religious hypocrisy

Five visions in Amos

Locusts, fire, plumb line, summer fruit, Lord by the altar

Ending of Amos

God restores Israel; they possess the remnant of Edom

Obadiah

Servant of YHWH; prophesied judgment against Edom

Edom

Descendants of Esau; long

Main idea of Obadiah

God judges Edom and the nations; saves Israel; reveals His justice and mercy

Structure of Obadiah

1–9: Sentence; 10–14: Charge; 15–21: Kingdom

Edom’s main sin

Violence against Judah; gloating, looting, betrayal

Edom’s pride

They felt secure in the rocks; God promises to bring them down

Edom’s betrayal

They aided Jerusalem’s enemies and plundered the city

What happened to Edom (v. 18)

Completely consumed; no survivor of Esau

Place of restoration in Obadiah

Mount Zion; reunited Israel; the kingdom belongs to the Lord

Jonah’s identity

Prophet from Israel; son of Amittai; sent to Assyria

Main idea of Jonah

God is gracious and merciful toward all nations

Jonah’s rebellion

He flees opposite God’s call; goes “down” repeatedly

Irony of the sailors

Pagans pray while Jonah sleeps; sailors show true fear of God

Sailors’ response

They try to save Jonah, pray to Yahweh, sacrifice, and make vows

Purpose of the fish

God is showing his mercy

Jonah’s prayer

Thanks God for deliverance; declares “Salvation belongs to the LORD”

Irony of Jonah’s vow

He promises what the pagan sailors already did

Jonah’s second call

God gives him another chance; Jonah obeys

How long was Jonah’s sermon?

Five words

Nineveh’s response

Immediate, total repentance from greatest to least

Jonah’s anger

He resents God’s mercy and quotes Exodus 34:6 as a complaint

The plant lesson

Jonah pities a plant but not 120,000 people

God’s final question

“Should I not pity Nineveh?”—book ends unresolved