Concordia Commentary

Latest Release: Joel

If you ask average Bible readers what they know about the book of Joel, they might answer with one word: “Locusts!” This is not a bad memory hook, because a debilitating locust plague provides the backdrop of the book and a portion of its contents. Due to locusts, the people of Judah were in a wretched condition— suffering a national catastrophe— when God inspired the prophet Joel to bring a message to them.

What does Joel tell the desperate people to do in their crisis? Rev Thomas  P. Nass digs into the background, translation, style, and the historical interpretation of this Minor Prophet. The Book of Joel is a book of comfort and hope for believers who are suffering. For people who feel that they are at the end of their rope, God paints a glorious picture of better days to come.

About the Author

Thomas Nass grew up in Jefferson, WI, and he has been a lifelong member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). He attended Northwestern Preparatory School and Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisc. (B.A., 1977), and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisc. (M.Div., 1982). He also attended Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn., and the University of Chicago graduate school for one year each. In 1999, he received an M.A. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Rev. Nass served as an instructor in Hebrew at Northwestern College. He then was a parish pastor for ten years, serving St. Paul’s in North Mankato, Minn., and St. Lucas in Milwaukee. For nearly thirty years, he has been a professor in Hebrew at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn.

Rev. Nass has been involved with inter-church relations for much of his ministry. He was on the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations for twenty-three years. He currently serves as the president of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference. Rev. Nass has authored End Times (Northwestern, 2011), as well as numerous articles and book reviews, some of which have been published in Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly.

He is married to Janice (née Dale), and they have been blessed with four children—Timothy, Nathan, David, and Allison—and ten grandchildren.

Selection of Endorsements

I wish all theological commentaries were flowing with milk and honey like Thomas Nass’ vol­ume on Joel. It is thorough, very readable, lively, and loaded with comforting application. There is no sleight of hand or “locust pocus” behind Nass’ exegesis. His conclusions are sensible because he lets Scripture interpret Scripture. The same meticulous professor who can “chase rabbits” in the thickets of Hebrew grammar can also prepare passionate words like these: “Goodness! We have rich food for faith here as believers in Christ. God promises provision, peace, and his pres­ ence—now on earth in the church militant and forever in heaven as the church triumphant. Let’s eat!” (page 389). Nass serves a rich feast in this commentary on Joel.

—Adolph L. Harstad, Professor Emeritus, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota

After decades teaching and studying Joel’s scroll, is there a Joel question Thomas Nass has not considered? What God inspired to break your heart Nass elucidates from his gentle heart. Sharp as glass, clear as glass—here you will see what Joel’s original says and what it means today. Welcome to practical scholarship where the Gospel predominates. Good beyond hope.

— Daniel A. Witte, Director of the Confessional Lutheran Institute in Africa, Lusaka, Zambia

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