Joel's Plague of Locusts

Dear Bible Challenge participants,

Well! Joel is a bit of a change of pace. Instead of the dread consequence of misbehavior being invasion by foreigners, Joel's dread is all about a plague of locusts.

Dating Joel is a bit tricky. Some scholars locate Joel in the 8th century because of references to the Assyrians. However, the language about the dispersion of God's people among the nations leads others to link Joel to the time of the post-Exilic diaspora, and some think it might be among the latest writings in the Hebrew scriptures, perhaps as late as the 4th century.

This is a short little scroll, but it had an impact on our Christian faith tradition, for it is Joel that Peter references in the address to those gathered on Pentecost in Acts 2. 

Enjoy this brief Joellian sojourn... soon it will be on to Amos, very much an 8th century prophet, and quite a voice in this tradition.

As ever, thank you for being on this journey!

Peace,

Paige+