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A Year Held in His Hands| A New Year Sermon

By Ekombe Hau -
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A Year Held in His Hands| A New Year Sermon Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash Every time a new year comes close, something in me start feeling that weird mix of excitement and heaviness. Maybe you know the feeling too—like you’re standing at this invisible doorway. One foot in the old year (the stuff you want to forget but somehow still sticks to you like stubborn glue), and the other foot stepping into something you still can’t see clearly. And sometimes you’re hopeful, sometimes you’re scared, sometimes you’re… well, both at the same time. I was thinking about all that while reading some Scriptures again, and honestly, it hit me harder this year. Maybe because life been kinda loud lately, or maybe because I’m tired of pretending everything always makes sense. But the Bible does this thing, right? It sneaks into the parts of your heart you thought you cleaned up, and suddenly you realize God is trying to talk to you again. Even if it feels like you weren’t exactly listening. S...
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Introduction of the Book of Joel – Commentary and Explanation

By Ekombe Hau -

 

Introduction of the Book of Joel – Commentary and Explanation

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

The Book of Joel. Just three short chapters. Small, right? But don’t let its size fool you. This prophetic book packs a powerful punch. It carries echoes of judgment, repentance, restoration, and hope, all rolled into a poetic expression of God’s justice and mercy. When you first read it, it might feel like a puzzle—locusts, war-like imagery, and apocalyptic tones—but give it a moment, sit with it, and Joel will start to speak directly into the soul. That's the beauty of God's Word—it speaks across time.

This study here isn’t academic, though there’ll be some historical and theological nuggets along the way. But mostly, we’re here to walk through Joel together, kinda like two people sitting with coffee, maybe a little notebook in hand, and our Bibles open. No pressure. Just learning. Just listening. Let’s go.

Who Was Joel?

We don’t know much about Joel personally. His name means “Yahweh is God,” and that’s about all we get from the intro—"Joel, son of Pethuel" (Joel 1:1). Now who’s Pethuel? No clue. This isn’t like Isaiah or Jeremiah where we get loads of backstory. Joel is more of a mystery man. But maybe that’s intentional. Maybe it keeps our eyes focused on the message, not the messenger.

Some scholars believe Joel may have been a priest or someone deeply connected to temple life because he speaks so much about temple rituals and offerings. He knew the system. He understood the spiritual condition of the people. So we get the sense that he wasn’t just prophesying from the outside—he had some skin in the game, spiritually speaking.

When Was Joel Written?

This one’s debated. Some say it was one of the earliest prophets—maybe around the 9th century B.C., before Amos. Others argue he was later—possibly post-exilic, around 500 B.C. or so. The thing is, Joel doesn’t mention any kings, which usually helps date the book. Instead, he focuses on priests, elders, and the temple.

But here’s the thing—while scholars wrangle over dates, Joel’s message stays timeless. Whether it was spoken before or after the exile, the heart of it rings true for any generation: Return to the Lord with all your heart. That’s the crux of the whole thing.

What’s Going On in Joel’s Time?

If you jump right into Joel 1, you’ll see something dramatic—a devastating locust plague. Like, really bad. We're talking about complete agricultural destruction. Crops ruined, joy withered away, even worship at the temple disrupted because there were no grain offerings left to give. That’s how bad it got.

Now, whether this was a literal locust swarm or a symbolic image representing invading armies—well, maybe both are true. Joel talks about waves of locusts like waves of soldiers. It’s poetic, but also real. Either way, the point is this: Judgment had come, and the people needed to wake up.

And Joel, like a voice crying out in the middle of that destruction, says, “Return to the Lord.” (Joel 2:12)

The Structure of Joel

Joel’s book unfolds like a journey, almost like a three-act play:

  1. Judgment and Destruction (Joel 1 – 2:11):
    The locust plague and its devastation. Joel calls the people to take it seriously. This isn’t just “bad luck.” It’s a wake-up call from God.

  2. Call to Repentance (Joel 2:12–17):
    This is the heart of the book. “Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart.” It’s a beautiful moment where God doesn’t just bring judgment—He invites mercy.

  3. Restoration and Hope (Joel 2:18–3:21):
    God responds to genuine repentance. The land is restored. Blessing replaces curse. And the famous promise of the outpouring of the Spirit? Yep, that’s in Joel.

Each section builds upon the last. Joel doesn’t just leave us in the dust with the locusts. He lifts our eyes toward what’s possible when hearts return to God.

The Day of the Lord – Joel’s Main Theme

If there’s one theme that weaves through every chapter, it’s this: “The Day of the Lord.” Joel talks about it more than once. And he doesn’t sugarcoat it.

Sometimes it’s a day of darkness and judgment (Joel 2:1-2), and other times it’s a day of deliverance and restoration (Joel 2:32). So which is it?

Both.

The “Day of the Lord” isn’t just one specific day in history. It’s a pattern of how God works—a time when He intervenes in history, when justice and righteousness come crashing into the scene. It happened before, it happens now, and it will happen again. It’s not just about end times. It’s about any moment when God makes His power and judgment known—personally or nationally.

Joel’s point? Be ready. Be humble. Be repentant. Because when that Day comes, you wanna be on the right side of it.

Joel 1 – The Devastation of Locusts

Chapter 1 opens like a thunderclap. “Has anything like this ever happened in your days?” Joel asks. (Joel 1:2). He’s basically saying—wake up, y’all, this ain’t normal.

The locusts come in waves, devouring everything. It’s total economic ruin. Grain’s gone. Wine’s dried up. Even the joy has vanished from the hearts of the people.

But Joel’s not just making a weather report here. He’s using the locusts as a loudspeaker. God’s saying—this devastation is meant to lead you back to Me. And Joel urges everyone—from priests to farmers—to fast, to mourn, to cry out to the Lord.

It’s not punishment for punishment’s sake. It’s a holy alarm clock. The question is, will they listen?

Joel 2 – A Call to Repentance and the Promise of Restoration

Chapter 2 opens with trumpet blasts. “Blow the trumpet in Zion!” The Day of the Lord is coming, and it’s intense. The imagery is wild—darkness, fire, armies leaping over walls.

But smack in the middle of that? One of the most beautiful invitations in all of Scripture:

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning…” (Joel 2:12)

And then Joel says this: “Rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:13) Wow. That hits. God’s not looking for outward religion. He wants the real deal. He wants broken hearts, not ripped robes.

And when the people turn back? God turns too. Toward them. With compassion. He promises healing. Restoration. Grain and wine will return. The land will be satisfied again.

But the biggest promise? “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.” (Joel 2:28)

Men, women, young, old, even servants—all will experience God’s Spirit. That’s revolutionary. And Peter, hundreds of years later, quotes this very passage at Pentecost in Acts 2. So Joel’s prophecy wasn’t just for his time—it pointed forward to something big.

Joel 3 – Judgment on the Nations and Final Restoration

Now in Chapter 3, the focus shifts. God turns His attention to the nations who’ve wronged His people. It’s like a courtroom scene. God gathers the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat—which means “The Lord Judges.”

He lays out their sins: scattering His people, dividing up land, trafficking humans. God doesn’t let injustice slide. Every evil done against His people is accounted for.

But then—light breaks through again. The mountains will drip with new wine. The hills will flow with milk. And a fountain will come from the house of the Lord. (Joel 3:18) That’s temple imagery. That’s renewal, peace, life.

And Joel ends with this promise:

“The Lord dwells in Zion.” (Joel 3:21)

He’s not distant. He’s right there. Among His people. Forever.

Themes in the Book of Joel

Now let’s zoom out a bit and gather some major themes from this powerful book. These aren’t just theological ideas—they’re invitations to reflect on our own lives.

1. Repentance Isn’t a Dirty Word

Joel makes it clear—God welcomes us back. No matter the mess. He says, “Return.” And He means it. Repentance isn’t just guilt. It’s grace. It’s coming home.

2. God Uses Crisis to Get Our Attention

Locusts. Drought. Loss. Sometimes the hardest things in life are the very things God uses to wake us up. He doesn’t waste pain. He uses it to call hearts back to Himself.

3. God’s Mercy Always Outweighs His Judgment

Judgment is real. The Day of the Lord is serious business. But Joel shows us the heart of God is mercy. Slow to anger. Abounding in love. Always ready to forgive.

4. The Spirit Is for Everyone

That outpouring in Joel 2? It’s for all flesh. It broke down barriers—age, gender, status. God wants to fill every heart with His Spirit. No favorites. No exceptions.

5. God Will Judge Injustice

Nations that hurt others, people who exploit—God sees it. And He will make things right. Joel 3 is proof that no evil goes unnoticed. There is justice, even if delayed.

Why Joel Still Matters Today

You might be thinking—cool, but what’s this got to do with me? I’m not battling locusts. I’m not offering grain at the temple.

But here’s why Joel hits home:

  • We live in a world full of crises. Pandemics, wars, economic downturns, personal losses. And in each of those moments, God might be whispering (or shouting): “Return to Me.”

  • Our hearts get dry too, like the land after a plague. We need refreshing. We need the Spirit poured out again.

  • And let’s be honest—we all sometimes wear masks. Go through motions. But Joel calls us back to authentic faith. Heart-rending, not just clothes-ripping.

Joel’s not just ancient poetry. It’s present-day truth.

A Few Personal Reflections

Studying Joel personally felt like getting hit with a splash of cold water. Like God saying—“Wake up. Look around. Come closer.” I’ve had my own “locust seasons,” maybe you have too. Times when everything I leaned on felt like it crumbled. But you know what? That’s often where the real work begins.

When the old stuff gets stripped away, when the fields are bare—that’s when new growth can start.

And the promise that God will pour out His Spirit? That gives me hope. That He sees ordinary folks like me and you, and says, “Yep. I want to fill them.”

Joel made me realize that God is not done—ever. Even when we’ve wandered. Even when judgment feels close. He’s still calling. Still inviting. Still restoring.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s Joel. Short book. Big message.

It reminds us that God's heart is full of grace—even when we’ve blown it. It tells us that hard times aren't always just bad luck. Sometimes they're a loud knock on the door of our hearts. And it shows us that God's Spirit isn’t just for the elite or the ultra-religious. It’s for everybody.

If you’re in a place where things feel dry… or if you’ve been wandering far… or if the world feels chaotic and dark—Joel’s word to you is the same:

“Return to Me with all your heart.” (Joel 2:12)

Not halfway. Not with just your Sundays. All your heart.

And when you do? Watch God do what He’s always done—restore what the locusts have eaten, and fill your life with His presence.

Thanks for reading. Now go read Joel. Slowly. Out loud maybe. And see what God might be saying to you.

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