The name of Joel is formed from two names: Jehovah and El. It means “Jehovah is God.” Joel doesn't tell us when he lived or under what kings he served. But his message is clear. He describes an invasion of locusts and a devastating drought in Palestine. With these events, he illustrates the coming “day of the Lord,” when God will punish all those who oppose His righ­teousness. Joel pleads with his people to repent and promises restoration and blessing to those who do.

The best-known verses from Joel are found in Chap­ter 2. The apostle Peter quoted them in his famous ser­mon on the Day of Pentecost:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

Peter applied these words of Joel to his own day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church.