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The Promise of the Holy Spirit in Joel's Prophecy

The prophet Joel, whose name means "he that wills or commands" [5], delivered a prophecy concerning a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Joel was likely a resident of Judah, active around 800 B.C., and his message frequently references Judah and Jerusalem [1]. His prophecy initially describes an impending calamity, possibly a plague of locusts and drought, before calling for national repentance and promising divine restoration [1, 7].

Central to Joel's prophecy is the promise found in Joel 2:28-29: "It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit" [2, 4]. This promise signifies a widespread distribution of the Spirit, not limited by age, gender, or social status, extending even to "all flesh" [8, 11]. The prophecy also includes cosmic signs, such as "blood, fire, and pillars of smoke" in the heavens and earth [3].

Christian theology understands this prophecy as a significant foretelling of the New Covenant era. Tertullian, an early Church Father, noted that before Christ's advent, the Holy Spirit was conferred only upon prophets and a select few, but after the Savior's coming, Joel's prediction was fulfilled [10]. The apostle Peter explicitly cited Joel's prophecy on the Day of Pentecost, identifying the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples as its fulfillment (Acts 2:14-21) [13]. This event marked the introduction of the "kingdom of grace" through a "plentiful effusion of the Spirit" [11].

The promise of the Holy Spirit is a recurring theme in Scripture, given by the Father and the Son, and is received by those who repent and believe [6]. Charles Hodge, one theologian, emphasizes that the effusion of the Holy Spirit was "the great promise of the Scriptures especially in reference to the Messianic period" [9]. This outpouring results in various effects, including miraculous manifestations and the illumination of believers' minds [14]. The promise of the Spirit is not only for those present at Pentecost but extends to "all that are afar off," encompassing both Jews and Gentiles [15]. The Holy Spirit is given "according to promise" [12].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joel, Book of — Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem (1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21). He probably flourished in the reign of Uzziah (about B.C. 800), and was contemporary with Amos and Isaiah. The contents of this book are, (1.) A prophecy of a great public calamity then impending over the land, consisting of a want of water and an extraordinary plague of locusts (1:1-2:11). (2.) The prophet then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them of his ”
  2. Joel ““It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. -- Joel 2:28”
  3. Joel “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. -- Joel 2:30”
  4. Joel “And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit. -- Joel 2:29”
  5. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Joel — he that wills or commands”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gift of the Holy Spirit, The — By the Father -- Ne 9:20; Lu 11:13. By the Son -- Joh 20:22. To Christ without measure -- Joh 3:34. Given According to promise. -- Ac 2:38,39. Upon the exaltation. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 7:39. Through the intercession of Christ. -- Joh 14:16. In answer to prayer. -- Lu 11:13; Eph 1:16,17. For instruction. -- Ne 9:20. For comfort of saints. -- Joh 14:16. To those who repent and believe. -- Ac 2:38. To those who obey God. -- Ac 5:32. To the Gentiles. -- Ac 10:44,45; 11:17; 15:8. Is abundant -- Ps 68:9; Joh 7:38,39. Is permanent -- Isa 59:21; Ha”
  7. Joel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Joel 2 (introduction): THE COMING JUDGMENT A MOTIVE TO REPENTANCE. PROMISE OF BLESSINGS IN THE LAST DAYS. (Joel 2:1-32) A more terrific judgment than that of the locusts is foretold, under imagery drawn from that of the calamity then engrossing the afflicted nation. He therefore exhorts to repentance, assuring the Jews of Jehovah's pity if they would repent. Promise of the Holy Spirit in the last days under Messiah, and the deliverance of all believers in Him. Blow . . . trumpet--to sound an alarm of coming war (Num 10:1-10; Hos 5:8; Amo 3:6); the office of the p”
  8. Joel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Joel 2:28: (Heb. ch. 3). Outpouring of the Spirit of God, and Announcement of Judgment. (Note: Among other special expositions of these verses, see Hengstenberg's Christology, vol. i. p. 326ff. translation.) Joe 2:28. "And it will come to pass afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men see visions. Joe 2:29. And also upon the men-servants and maid-servants I will put out my Spirit in those days." As 'achărē-khēn points back to bâri'shōn in Joe 2:23, the formula”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: closed or blind it must be opened or restored before the light can produce its proper impression. The Psalmist therefore prays, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” ( Psalm cxix. 18 .) In Acts xvi. 14 , it is said of Lydia, “Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” 4. Accordingly the great promise of the Scriptures especially in reference to the Messianic period was the effusion of the Holy Spirit. “Afterward,” said the prophet Joel, “I will pour out my”
  10. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. VII.--ON THE HOLY SPIRIT. (part 2): I observe, however, that the chief advent of the Holy Spirit is declared to men, after the ascension of Christ to heaven, rather than before His coming into the world. For, before that, it was upon the prophets alone, and upon a few individuals--if there happened to be any among the people deserving of it--that the gift of the Holy Spirit was conferred; but after the advent of the Saviour, it is written that the prediction of the prophet Joel was fulfilled, "In the last days it shall come to”
  11. Joel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Joel 2:28: The promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the foregoing verses, would be very acceptable to a wasted country; but here we are taught that we must not rest in those things. God has reserved some better things for us, and these verses have reference to those better things, both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, with the happiness of true believers in both. We are here told, I. How the kingdom of grace shall be introduced by a plentiful effusion of the Spirit, (Joe 2:28, Joe 2:29). We are not at a loss about the meaning of this promise, nor in doubt what”
  12. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: were manifest to no one, but when they were sealed, they became manifest, though not in the same way as we are; for they will be manifest except a few. The Israelites also were sealed, but that was by circumcision, like the brutes and reasonless creatures. We too are sealed, but it is as sons, “with the Spirit.” But what is meant by, “with the Spirit of promise?” Doubtless it means that we have received that Spirit according to promise. For there are two promises, the one by the prophets, the other from the Son. By the Prophets.—”
  13. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:49: 24:49 I will send the Holy Spirit: The Old Testament predicted that God would pour out his Spirit on all people (Isa 32:15; Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-32). This prediction was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-21).”
  14. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 140: a process of moral suasion, in primâ facie certain from the whole narrative and from the nature of the case. The Holy Ghost was poured out abundantly, as the Apostle tells, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel. Three classes of effects immediately followed. First, miracles; that is, external manifestations of the immediate power of God. Secondly, the immediate illumination of the minds of the Apostles, by which they were raised from the darkness, prejudices, ignorance, and mistakes of their Jewish state, into the clear comprehension of ”
  15. Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 2:39: For the promise is unto you - Jews of the land of Judea: not only the fulfillment of the promise which he had lately recited from the prophecy of Joel was made to them, but in this promise was also included the purification from sin, with every gift and grace of the Holy Spirit. To all that are afar off - To the Jews wherever dispersed, and to all the Gentile nations; for, though St. Peter had not as yet a formal knowledge of the calling of the Gentiles, yet, the Spirit of God, by which he spoke, had undoubtedly this in view; and therefore the words are added, even as”
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