Untitled Sermon

Joel 1:1 NRSV

The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel:

Joel is best understood to be composed of two interlocking chiastic structures. The first chiasmus, as the following interpretation of Joel 2:1–11 implies, is based upon the typological linkage between the locust plague and the northern invader. Both cause great destruction, and in the end both are destroyed. A middle, transitional element is at Joel 2:11–19, a call to repentance. This act of turning back to God is thus structurally the pivot point that leads into the reversal of the earlier calamities.

(A) Punishment: locusts (Joel 1:2–20)

(B) Punishment: northern army (Joel 2:1–11)

(C) Transition: repentance (Joel 2:12–19)

(B′) Grace: northern army destroyed (Joel 2:20)

(A′) Grace: rain poured out to heal land (Joel 2:21–27)

The second chiasmus contains the destruction of the northern army (Joel 2:20) and the healing of the land (Joel 2:21–27) from the first chiasmus, creating the interlocking structure.

(A) Northern army destroyed (Joel 2:20)

(B) Rain poured out to heal land (Joel 2:21–27)

(B′) Spirit poured out to heal people (Joel 2:28–32 [mt 3:1–5])

(A′) Judgment on Gentile armies (Joel 3:1–21 [mt 4:1–21])

The theological significance to this structure is that the gift of the Spirit and the final judgment on the nations are anticipated respectively by the healing of the land and destruction of the northern army.1

1 D. A. Garrett, “Joel, Book of,” ed. Mark J. Boda and Gordon J. McConville, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (Downers Grove, IL; Nottingham, England: IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity Press, 2012), 452.