Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 1

 

Joel the son of Pethuel

The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Joel 1:1

The word of... This is the only introduction given by the prophet of himself and his calling to the prophetic office. He was a prophet to Judah, and said that the word of the Lord came to him. It seems that the entire book of Joel is one prophecy instead of a series as in previous prophetic writings. However, various sections of the prophecy are listed separately for a better understanding of the book as a whole. Joel, like Hosea, mentioned the name of his father, and that is the only personal reference to his family background, the time he lived and prophesied, or the tribe he came from. It seems he wanted to be known only as the instrument of God. Passages in the book which are similar to statements of Isaiah and Amos do not prove that the prophets quoted from one another, for the same Spirit who spoke through one could also speak through another without any copying being involved. Compare Joel 3:16 with Amos 1:2 and Joel 1:15 with Isa. 13:6.

came to Joel... Joel, the Lord is God. Fourteen men so-called.

The word of... This introductory phrase is commonly employed by the prophets to indicate that the message was divinely commissioned (Hos. 1:1; Mic. 1:1; Zeph. 1:1). Slightly varied forms are found (in 1Sam. 15:10; 2Sam. 24:11; Jer. 1:2; Eze. 1:3; Jon. 1:1; Zec. 1:1; Mal. 1:1).

the LORD that... A distinctively Israelitish designation for God; the name speaks of intimacy and a relationship bonded metaphorically through the covenant likened to marriage and thus carries special significance to Israel (Exo. 3:14).

came to Joel... His name means “the Lord is God.”

son of Pethuel... His name means “openheartedness of/toward God” and is the only occurrence of this name in the Bible.

There is very little known of Joel, the person. He was believed by many to be one of the earliest prophets in Judah. Notice again, this is the LORD’s Word in the pen of Joel. There is nothing more known of Pethuel, than the fact that he is the father of Joel.

Introduction

Again, as stated in the Introduction, the only fact given about Joel is that he was a son of Pethuel. The prophet indicated that his message was God’s Word, but did not date his prophecy in Joel 1:1 in the reign of any king of Judah or Israel.