Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, four-lesson academic study of the Book of Joel, examining the fourfold locust invasion and the cessation of daily temple sacrifices, the sounding of the shofar and the cosmic theophany of the Day of the Lord, the inward mandate to rend hearts rather than garments, the promise to restore the years eaten by the locust, the historic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh quoted at Pentecost, the signs in the heavens, the gathering of nations into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the ripe harvest and overflowing winepress of divine justice, and the eternal fountain flowing from the house of Yahweh to water the Valley of Shittim.
An academic exegesis of Joel 1:1 to 20, analyzing the historical enigma of Joel date, the catastrophic ecological devastation wrought by four waves of locusts, the paralysis of temple liturgy due to severed grain and drink offerings, the summons of elders and nursing infants to a solemn fast (atzarah), and the prophetic transformation of agricultural catastrophe into a warning of the cosmic Day of the Lord.
A collegiate analysis of Joel 2:1 to 17, examining the sounding of the shofar on Mount Zion, the dread theophany of the Day of the Lord, the terrifying imagery of an unstoppable apocalyptic army leaping over mountain peaks, the theological call to rend the heart rather than external garments, the character of God as gracious and merciful, and the intercession of the priests between the vestibule and the altar.
A collegiate theological study of Joel 2:18 to 32, exploring the dramatic turning point where Yahweh becomes jealous for His land, the physical restoration of grain, wine, and oil, the promise to restore the years eaten by the swarming locust, the historic outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh regardless of gender, age, or social status, apocalyptic cosmic portents, and the universal promise that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
An advanced collegiate capstone study of Joel 3:1 to 21 (Hebrew chapter 4), examining the eschatological gathering of hostile nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (The Lord Judges), the indictment of Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia for human trafficking and plundering God gold, the ironic command to beat plowshares into swords for cosmic war, the ripe harvest and overflowing winepress of divine justice, the multitudes in the valley of decision, Yahweh roaring like a lion from Zion, and the eternal fountain flowing from the house of Yahweh.