As we study the prophecy of Joel, we now come to the text used by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21). Following the reversal of the locust plague, Joel writes: “It will come about after this…”. The phrase “after this” is a general temporal reference. Joel simply means that this outpouring will come after the renewed blessings from God. The exact expression is not found elsewhere in Joel.
After Israel has returned to God with all her heart (2:12) and God renews His presence among Israel (2:27), then God will pour out His Spirit on His people, universally. Because of its close thematic tie with the preceding context, Jerome included 2:28-32 (MT, LXX: 3:1-5) with chapter two in his Vulgate. Yet the unique emphasis in this paragraph easily argues for its own separate chapter.
The Universal Outpouring (2:28b-29)
In addition to rain (2:23), God will also “pour out [His] Spirit on all mankind.” Among the metaphorical uses of “to pour,” frequently it is the pouring out of God’s wrath (i.e.,, Jer. 10:25). “To pour” is used in 3:19 for “shedding blood.” Here is the only mention of the Spirit in Joel’s writings. The nearly unique contribution Joel makes is the “democratization” of the Spirit. He seems to bring forward Moses’ wish from Num 11:29, verbalizing it as a prophecy to be fulfilled. The word translated “mankind” is the word “flesh,” preceded by “all,” and is only used here in Joel. The phrase erases all distinctions on the socio-economic level among the Israelites.
In any event, it is never advisable todrink alcohol in the body leads to viagra discount sales erectile dysfunction since the alcohol results to widened blood vessels. There are many reasons why Kamagra tadalafil cheapest is increasingly recommended for penile dysfunction. This compound inhibits the activities of PDE5 which leads to erectile dysfunction. viagra uk cheap When the PDE enzyme is blocked the drug is known to save the cGMP that is primarily responsible for the erection by flowing out the blood from the penis. order generic levitra
Due to the locust plague, Israel was not able to worship as they needed or should have (1:9, 13). But when God sends His Holy Spirit, Israel will have the wherewithal to know God’s will; prophecy will be universal and Israel will have the new heart to obey His statues, judgments, and commands (cf Ezek 36:26-27). “Prophesy” (used only here in Joel), “dreams” (only here) and “visions” (only here) were avenues by which God made known His will. Culver (TWBOT; 1:290-291) offers that “dreams” refer to messages received while the prophet sleeps while “visions” are portions within the dreams. There could certainly be false dreams and visions (Gen 28:12-17; Num 12:6; 1 Sam 28:6; Jer 23:25-32; 27:9).
Next week, we’ll continue our study of this prophecy of Joel, fulfilled, we are told, in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost.
Paul Holland
