In this introduction to Joel we spend a lot of time discussing the date of when Joel was written. I attempt to prove that Joel was written prior to the Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. I give evidence that suggests Joel was written sometime in the mid nineteenth century. I demonstrate that this timing points to the fact that the “army from the north” would eventually be the Babylonian army that destroyed Judah and Jerusalem.  I also examine some of the curses that would come upon Israel and Judah if they broke the terms of the Mosaic covenant. Come and hear the first part of our introduction to Joel so that you will better understand God’s message through His ordained prophet.