A little Paragraph in Joel 2 gives us a precious view of God the Holy Spirit.
One that is familiarly replicated in the New Testament.
The Prophet (Joel) quotes Almighty God: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28-29
This Text (most of it anyway) was used by Simon Peter on the Day of Pentecost, as an example of the Holy Spirit’s Ability to come (to flood) a people with His Presence. “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:16-18
But … Pentecost is NOT the final and complete fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32. Because both Joel and Peter continue their Sermons with further information. (Which will be tomorrow’s Lesson theme.) Data about astronomical phenomena such as … from Joel’s account, still quoting the Lord … “And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” Joel 2:30-31
Pentecost indeed was a “foretaste” of the coming of the Holy Spirit in a yet final day! A Day when Israel shall believe on Jesus and be saved! A Day at the end of the Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium when She (Israel the Nation) shall “look on Jesus Whom they have pierced” and “trust” Him as Saviour!
A Day when her Judgment has finally crested and her Jubilee has gloriously begun!
The verbs for “pour out,” both in Hebrew and in Greek, suggest copious amounts of Blessing!
And clearly an “equal opportunity” effusion is intended, to all who believe!
Young and old, male and female!
Folks, God does all His Work via the Holy Spirit in some way or another.
God is Triune.
And clearly, we NEED the Touch of the Holy Spirit yet in the time we live.
Sorely so!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell