Joel: Prophet of the Coming Day of the Lord (Welwyn Commentary Series | WCS)

by O. Palmer Robertson

Publisher:

Evangelical Press

, 1995

Overview

For such a short book, the prophecy of Joel deals with weighty matters that continue to have significance even today. The certainty and severity of God's judgments that are to fall first on God's own people and then on all the nations of the world, and the prominence of the Day of the Lord in the purposes and plans of God, all display the Lordship of God in human history. Joel summons God's people to heart-felt repentance and the glorious truth of the consummate blessing of the Lord in the renewal of the earth by the outpouring of his Spirit on men and women, young and old, Jew and Gentile.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Because this perspective on judgement and blessing associated with the Day of the Lord swells to eschatological proportions in Joel’s prophecy, his words reach far beyond the experience of his own day and address men in every age. Particularly in terms of the process of God’s working redemption for his people, this prophecy finds fulfilment in specific historical moments: at Pentecost, in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel to the Gentile nations, and on the day of final judgement when all peoples will stand to be judged.” (Page 14)

“These destructive creatures have been seen in hordes that blackened the sun as far as 1,200 miles out at sea. In 1889 a host of these insects covered a 2,000-square-mile area with an estimated 120 million insects per square mile. In 1881 a locust egg-mass was uncovered that weighed 1,300 tons.⁴ One report on locust activity notes that ‘One female grasshopper that lays eggs in June … may have eighteen million living descendants by October.” (Page 24)

“Joel proceeds to develop his theme along three lines in this first chapter: firstly, judgement now requires response (1:5–14); secondly, judgement now anticipates God’s great day (1:15–18); thirdly, judgement now calls forth prayer (1:19–20).” (Pages 26–27)

“Often Christian people mistakenly think that repentance is a spiritual attitude that should be urged on the unconverted. They assume that their own repentance was registered with the Lord when they first received Christ. But no one ever will be finished with repentance in this life. Repentance must be as vital a part of the Christian’s daily life as his or her faith.” (Page 49)

Product Details

• Title: Prophet of the Coming Day of the Lord: The Message of Joel
• Author: O. Palmer Robertson
• Series: Welwyn Commentary Series
• Publisher: Evangelical Press
• Print Publication Date: 1995
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 112
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Joel › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780852343357, 0852343353
• Resource ID: LLS:WCS29JOE
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-17T20:59:18Z

About O. Palmer Robertson

O. Palmer Robertson gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary and his Master's and Doctorate from Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. Dr. Robertson was active in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in America and has worked in various church ministries as well as seminary teaching. He has numerous books in print, including Psalms in Congregational Celebration. He is a frequent lecturer and conference speaker in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.