Bible Study Summary – Part 14: The Books of Joel and Obadiah

Glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Welcome back to our journey through Scripture. Today, we study two short but deeply prophetic books: Joel and Obadiah. Though brief in length, their spiritual depth and relevance are profound.

📝 Note: This is a summary meant to guide your study. Always read the full Bible texts and ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding (John 16:13).

📖 THE BOOK OF JOEL

Author: Joel (Hebrew: Yo’el – “Yahweh is God”)
Date: Likely during the reign of King Uzziah (ca. 800s BC)
Main Theme: The Day of the Lord – Judgment and Restoration
Chapters: 3

🔹 Chapter 1: A Warning Through Disaster

Joel opens by describing a devastating locust plague, symbolizing God’s judgment on Judah (Joel 1:4). The plague left nothing untouched—signifying that sin has total consequences if unrepented.

Joel 1:4 – “What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten…”

This is a type of divine chastisement. God often used natural disasters in the Old Testament as physical signs of spiritual decay (see Amos 4:9–10). Joel calls everyone—from priests to common people—to repentance.

Joel 1:14– “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly… and cry out to the Lord.”

🔹 Chapter 2: God’s Call to Repentance and Promise of Restoration

Joel warns of an approaching “Day of the Lord”, portrayed as an invading army (Joel 2:1–11), but this symbolizes more than just Babylon or Assyria—it’s a prophetic picture of final judgment.

Yet God extends grace:

Joel 2:12–13– “’Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart… Rend your hearts and not your garments.’”

True repentance involves inner transformation, not just outward rituals (see Psalm 51:17). God desires brokenness over sin, not empty ceremony.

God then promises restoration:

Joel 2:25– “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…”

And also gives a messianic and Pentecostal prophecy:

Joel 2:28– “I will pour out my Spirit on all people…”
Fulfilled in Acts 2:16–17 – Peter confirms, “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel…”

This is a key passage linking Old Testament prophecy to New Testament reality. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of the Church Age.

🔹 Chapter 3: Judgment for the Nations, Restoration for Israel

God proclaims judgment on the nations who harmed His people (Joel 3:2–8), particularly for crimes like enslavement, division of land, and desecration of God’s temple.

Joel 3:2– “I will gather the armies of the world into the Valley of Jehoshaphat… for harming my people.”

God is just—He will judge both individuals and nations. This foreshadows the final judgment (cf. Revelation 20:11–15).

But God also declares the ultimate restoration and deliverance of His people, pointing to both the post-exilic return and the millennial kingdom under Christ.

Joel 3:16–17– “The Lord also will roar from Zion… So you shall know that I am the Lord your God…”

📖 THE BOOK OF OBADIAH

Author: Obadiah (means “Servant of Yahweh”)
Chapters: 1
Main Theme: Judgment on Edom and the Sovereignty of God

🔹 Background on Edom

Edom descended from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother (Genesis 25:30). Despite this family bond, Edom held a long-standing hostility toward Israel.

Obadiah rebukes Edom for:

• Rejoicing over Israel’s fall,
• Aiding foreign invaders (likely Babylon),
• Betraying survivors.

Obadiah 1:10 – “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.”

Obadiah 1:12– “You should not have gloated when they suffered such misfortune…”

Edom’s sin was rooted in pride and betrayal. God abhors treachery, especially among those with close relational ties (see Proverbs 6:16–19).

🔹 God’s Judgment on Edom

Edom trusted in its high mountainous cities and alliances, thinking they were untouchable.

Obadiah 1:3–4 – “You who live in the clefts of the rock… Though you soar aloft like the eagle… I will bring you down.”

Pride is the root of many sins (Proverbs 16:18). Edom became a symbol of human arrogance, and its downfall is a warning to all who oppose God’s purposes.

🔹 The Day of the Lord and Final Restoration

Obadiah echoes Joel in declaring the Day of the Lord as a time when all nations will be judged.

Obadiah 1:15– “For the day of the Lord is near, against all the nations.”

Obadiah ends on a note of hope: Israel will be restored, and God will reign.

Obadiah 1:21– “And the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.”

God’s sovereignty will be fully established. The messianic kingdom, ruled by Christ, will fulfill this prophecy (Revelation 11:15).

If you’d like this in a printable guide, PowerPoint slide, or group Bible study format, feel free to ask—I’ll gladly prepare it for you.

Let us keep growing in God’s Word and be ready for the Day of the Lord—not in fear, but in faith.

🕊️ “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
— Revelation 22:20

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