The little, powerful, literary gem of a book gives us no kings with which to date Joel’s writing. Different datings can be argued, but in agreement with some other scholars, F. LaGard Smith suggests that the spiritual situation and the named enemies seem to fit the early period of the child king Joash (II Kings 11:21-22). Judah continuously dealt with the threat of invading armies, but they were evidently not prepared for the army of locusts which swarmed over Judah devastating the crops and food supplies. Joel parallels the invading locusts with another invasion to come. Like many prophecies, it has both primary and secondary applications. Joel warns that Judah’s spiritual ambivalence will lead to their devastation from forces from the north. He further warns that "the day of the Lord" is coming when an ultimate accounting for lives and deeds will be required. Joel’s message: Repent and God will bless. He reveals God’s promise to outpour His Spirit on all flesh.

1. What does Joel want the elders to tell their children and generations to come?

   What is the spiritual parallel of Judah’s spiritual condition?

2. "The Day of the Lord" is an important motif which runs through the prophetical books.
   1. From Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11; Isaiah 2:12ff; Ezekiel 13:5; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; and Zechariah 14:1, give a definition of "the Day of the Lord."

   2. What does II Peter 3:10-12 reveal about that day?

3. Describe Judah’s "Day of the Lord" when the locusts came in chapter 2:1-11.

4. Does God want to destroy Judah by locusts?

   What does He want them to do in 2:12?

5. Why does God tell them not to rend their garments?

   How does one rend one’s heart (2:13)?

6. Discuss how the Lord is described in 2:13.

7. The Lord promises to deliver Judah after their repentance.
   1. What other prophetic promise does He make in 2:28-32?

   2. Where in the New Testament is this promise repeated?

8. According to chapter 3, what will happen to the other nations?

II Kings 15 – 18.       Micah was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah. The times being the same, the messages are similar. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and spoke much about the politics of the land. Micah, however, lived near the coastal road over which traders, pilgrims and soldiers passed. He notes the corrupting influence of Judah’s entanglement with foreign alliances. This little book is composed of three "sermons", each message beginning with the word "hear". The messages give us three practical and important themes: judgment is coming (1 – 2), the Deliverer is coming (3 - 5), and trust in the Lord today (6 – 7).

1. Who were the kings during Micah’s ministry?

2. What was the main sin of Israel (1:5) that had corrupted Judah and was causing Judah to be punished?

   What were they worshiping? (5:13)

   How is this danger an example to us?

3. Twelve cities are condemned for the influence they had on their country. What does the New Testament teach Christians about our influence?

4. How did Micah respond to the message of judgment (1:8-9)?

   How did the people react (2:6)?

5. From chapter 3 what had been the behavior of the rulers and the message of their false prophets?

6. Isaiah 2:2-4 is identical with Micah 4:1-3. What is the message?

7. Over a century before it happened, what specific event does Micah (4:10) and Isaiah (48:20) say will occur before the promise of the wonderful kingdom to come?

8. From Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:6, who would bring about this kingdom of peace?

   Explain the significances in Micah 5:2.

9. Using the New Testament, explain Micah 5:4:
   He feeds His flock: (John 10:11 and 21:17)

   Strength of the Lord: (Ephesians 6:10 and Colossians 1:11)

   His name’s majesty: (Philippians 2:9)

   Dwell secure: (I John 5:13)

   He shall be great: (Luke 1:32)

   To the ends of the earth: (Acts 1:8)

10. What is condemned in Micah 6:6-8; Psalm 51:15-17; I Samuel 15:22; and Isaiah 1:10-18?

    What is required instead?

11. Micah ends with his version of "Our God is an Awesome God." Discuss Micah 7:18-20.
    Who is a God like Thee, pardoning iniquity
    and passing over transgression
    for the remnant of His inheritance?
    He does not retain His anger forever
    because He delights in steadfast love.
    He will again have compassion upon us,
    He will tread our iniquities under foot.
    Thou wilt cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.
    Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob
    and steadfast love to Abraham,
    as Thou hast sworn to our fathers
    from the days of old.

Women IN God's Service

Minor Prophets - lesson 4
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, Spring 1998
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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