The Book of the Prophet Joel intrigues, because so little is known about him. Because he writes primarily about Jerusalem and Judah, we assume he was from Judah. Biblical scholars place the time of Joel’s writing between the 9th and 6th centuries B.C. Joel speaks of the Day of the LORD, which the Jews thought was going to be a time of judgment against the nations, and of restoration for Israel, but Joel made it clear Israel was also in line for God’s judgment.
Joel 1 tells us of a coming storm of locusts that would destroy everything. The resulting destruction was intended for Judah. Joel calls the priests and the people to repentance, because that is the only thing that will stop the destruction. This is always the case: we must repent or face the LORD’s destruction in our lives. While Jesus has died and risen from the dead to redeem and restore us, we must repent and receive the gift of redemption or lose it.
Joel 2 offers us another picture of the coming judgment of the day of the LORD. He offers another call to repentance, and then we read of the LORD’s great mercy, which will restore the land, and the people. He also tells of the day when He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. This prophecy was fulfilled in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the 120 believers who had waited and prayed for ten days for His coming. On that day the Church of Jesus Christ was born, and 3,000 new converts were added.
Joel 3 promises restoration for Judah and coming judgment on all the nations that have destroyed her in the past. The book ends with more promises of Judah’s restoration.
As we return to Mark 12, Jesus tells the Parable of the Tenants, which is a thinly veiled condemnation of the religious leaders. After this, those leaders seek to trap Jesus but fail each time. First, the Pharisees ask Jesus whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Thinking whatever Jesus answers, they will have grounds to condemn Him, Jesus turned the situation around by proclaiming we must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s. Next, the Sadducees attempted to show the fallacy of the idea of resurrection by telling a story about a woman who was married to seven different men. Their question was, “Whose wife will she be, because she was married to seven different men?” Jesus’ answer puts them in their place as He tells them they have it wrong, because they don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. He points out we are neither married nor given in marriage in heaven. After this, a teacher of the Law asks Jesus what is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus’ answer silences everyone: Love the Lord you’re God…and love your neighbor as yourself. Next, Jesus turns the tables by asking them whose son the Christ is, because King David called Him Lord. How then could He be David’s son? Jesus warns the people to beware of the scribes, because their goal is the praise of people, not the glorifying of God. Finally, Jesus praises a poor widow for giving her last two pennies in the offering to the LORD. He tells the disciples she gave more than all the rich people who gave out of their abundance, because she gave out of her poverty, trusting the LORD to provide for her.