The Book of Joel was written during the 5th or 4th century BC shortly after the return of the exiles. Joel foretells a drought and a plague of locusts in Palestine - signs of the ‘Day of the LORD’, when those who have mistreated God’s chosen people will be punished.
Joel
Title? The Book of Joel.
Written by whom? Joel, the son of Pethuel.
When? Written some time after the exile, in the 5th or 4th century BC.
Where? In Jerusalem.
To whom? His message was aimed at the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem.
What was the message? Joel prophesied a drought and a plague of locusts - signs that will accompany the end times when God pours out his Spirit on all people.
A wheat field in Southern Israel
Joel 1:1-20 Joel prophesies that locusts will destroy the grapevines and the grain crops of those who have returned to Judah:
"The fields are ruined; the ground is dried up. The grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the olive oil runs out... The vines have become dry, and the fig trees are dried up." (Joel 1:10-12)