The Book of Joel A Prophet between Calamity and Hope [Paperback]

Prophetic sayings are generally a reaction to immediate realities, and therefore attempts to understand prophetic literature without the benefit of the prophet's historical milieu are limited or inaccurate. Contrary to the prevailing opinion that Joel is post-exilic, the book is located within the exilic period, recognising the lack of any rebuke consistent with a people experiencing deep despair. The Book of Joel places great emphasis on the motif of the divine presence residing in the midst of Israel, and it is asserted that the prophet's main purpose was to bring the people to renew their connection with the Lord after the destruction of the Temple, which, though physically ruined, had not lost its religious significance. A literary and rhetorical analysis demonstrates how the prophet sought to influence his audience. Literary devices and rhetorical tools are investigated, and their relevance and contribution to the book's meanings are explored. One central feature of the book is its focus on a detailed discussion of the position and purpose of the locust plague, employing recent literary approaches.

This literary and rhetorical analysis of the book of Joel reveals the prevailing theological themes arising from salvific expectations in the midst of catastrophe.

Assis' analysis of Joel is positive and erudite. First, his connection between Joel and Lamentations is innovative and suggestive. This connection is worthy of further study. Second, Assis' discussion of compositional and literary techniques is enlightening. His assertion that, in places, the author of Joel is intentionally ambiguous is interesting and his careful attention to the minute details of the Hebrew texts is helpful. Third, his structural analysis of the entire book and each individual text segment aids in organizing such a complex book. Fourth, Assis' largely synchronic approach allows him to focus on the interpretive issues that are pertinent to his theological reading... Assis'ls+