In this article, we will examine Joel 2:28-32. This passage has what is perhaps the most memorable verse in the book of Joel. We are probably most familiar with it because we find it again in the New Testament. This Old Testament passage is pregnant with promise that is fulfilled in the New Testament. It was on the day of Pentecost that the Apostle Peter quoted some of these verses in his sermon. We will compare that portion of Peter’s sermon to this text, and we will see what Peter had to say about it. Most of what we have read in Joel so far has not been good news. Most of what we have read in Joel thus far gives us an understanding of why prophets were not very well-liked. The first part of this book gives some understanding of why the prophets were burdened by the revelations they were given. It was only in our last message that we covered the turning point in this book. Prior to verse 18 of chapter two, Joel has not been easy to read, or to hear. That is not the case with the text before us. This was good news for Israel in Joel’s day. It was good news for believers in Peter’s day, and it is good news today to all who can hear it.
(28) 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: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (30) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. (32) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. – Joel 2:28-32
We may divide this passage into two parts. Verses 28 and 29 are revelation. Verses 30 through 32 speak of deliverance. We may further subdivide the second part into two parts: verses 30 and 31 speak of the signs of the coming day, and verse 32 describes those who will be delivered. That is our outline for this message.
As we consider verses 28 and 29 together, we see a phrase repeated. Verse 28 contains the phrase, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;” and verse 29 repeats that phrase, “I will pour out my Spirit.” It is characteristic of Hebrew literature that repetition of a word or phrase elevates the emphasis of that thought. In our text, this repetition acts as bookends. We should be concerned with what comes between those two occurrences. But first, let us examine how very 28 begins. “And it shall come to pass afterward,” What is the afterward? What comes before the afterward? For that, we must look at the preceding verses. In our last message, we noted God’s promises of restoration of the land. For His own glory, God will restore Israel. He will do so not because of what they have done. He will do so because of His covenant promises to Israel. God is the God of Israel. God’s people will not be put to shame. We can understand that to mean that God’s people will not be disgraced, or better yet, God’s people will not be without His grace. As this is prophecy, we know that there is more than one meaning, and more than one fulfillment. There is a near fulfillment. The near fulfillment speaks of the literal restoration of all that has been destroyed by the locusts. The people of Joel’s day would have seen that fulfillment. There is also a far fulfillment, because the prophecy speaks of more than a literal devastation of locusts. It alludes to some other devastation of the land. Because there is some other devastation, there is also some other restoration. The short-term near fulfillment is the physical restoration of the blessings of provision of rain and crops and wine and oil and fruit. There is also a spiritual implication here. There will be a greater and more important restoration. There will be a spiritual restoration. We know this because the text says so. Afterward, there will be a pouring out of God’s Spirit on all flesh. When the Bible uses such language, it does not always mean ALL without exception. In this case, it means ALL without distinction. The pouring out of the Spirit will be upon all kinds of people. It will not be restricted to a race or an office or a class of people. The presence of the Spirit was limited in the Old Testament. We read of a restricted outpouring of the Spirit in Numbers chapter 11.
Numbers 11:16-17
(16) And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. (17) And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.
God’s purpose was clear. Moses needed help. He needed God-fearing, Spirit-led men to assist him. God provided Moses with the help he needed. A few verses later in Numbers chapter 11, we read:
Numbers 11:25-29
(25) And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. (26) But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. (27) And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. (28) And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. (29) And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
Our text in Joel speaks of a more generous outpouring of the Spirit of God. It will be in greater measure than in the past. There will be an abundant outpouring of the Spirit in the future. Among those who will receive this outpouring, there will be male and female, young and old, Jews and Gentiles. We first read of this in Acts chapter 2. There are other occurrences in Acts chapters 8, 10, and 21. The Apostle Paul wrote of the evidences of Spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.
Earlier, we said that verses 28 and 29 speak of revelation. In these verses, God reveals what will happen. What will happen is the outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh. Let us take a moment and see the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise in Acts. 2:1-4.
Acts 2:1-4
(1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This was a miraculous thing. It was also the immediate fulfillment of the promise Jesus had given to His disciples in John 14:15-17.
John 14:15-17
(15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:25-26
(25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Acts 2:14-18
(14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17) 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: (18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:38-39
(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
All of this is a partial fulfillment of the outpouring of the Spirit. It was a sign that God was with His people. This gathering on the Day of Pentecost was a limited group. Those who were there were Jews. The Spirit enabled communications among those who otherwise would have needed a translator. What about the “all flesh” part? The Church of Jesus Christ did indeed grow beyond the Jews who gathered in Jerusalem.
In Acts chapter 8, we read of a group of Samaritans. They were not liked or respected or even tolerated by most Jews. Samaritans were considered half-breeds at best, and they were mostly hated by the Jews. So, imagine the shock when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that there were some in Samaria who believed in Christ?
Acts 8:14-17
(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And later, Peter preached in the home of the Roman Centurion by the name of Cornelius.
Acts 10:44-48
(44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
These passages are the fulfillment of God’s promise in Joel 2:28 & 29, as well as a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in John 10:16 – “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
What about daughters who prophesy and old men dreaming dreams?
Acts 21:8-11
(8) And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. (9) And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. (10) And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. (11) And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
These blessings of the Holy Spirit are evidences of the presence of God with His people. These blessings of the Holy Spirit are the fulfillment of the promises of God. It is a demonstration of the sovereign omniscience and omnipotence of the One True and Living God Who gives good gifts to His people. These blessings of the Holy Spirit are for the revelation of God. We still need to consider that tricky word in verse 28, “afterward.”
How will we know of the afterward? We have the historical record of the New Testament that tells us when the Holy Spirit was poured out. These events happened after another event of greatest significance. Joel speaks of the signs of the coming of this most significant event. This is how God showed that deliverance was coming.
Joel 2:30-31
(30) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
What happened when Jesus was crucified?
Matthew 27:44
(44) The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Mark 15:33
(33) And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:44-45
(44) And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (45) And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Those are the signs of the coming day. There are two significant events that we should remember. These that we have read about were on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. He died, and was buried, and arose from the grave on the third day, and He has ascended to the right hand of majesty on high, where He ever lives to make intercession for His people. But there is a day coming when He will return. His Word tells us that Christ shall return at a time known only to God. He is coming back to claim His bride. He is also coming to judge the earth. Those who are in Christ will rejoice at His coming. Those who have rejected His free offer of salvation will tremble. All will acknowledge Him for Who He Is. All will bow the knee to the King of kings and Lord of lords to the glory of God the Father. In the meantime, in that period of time between the crucifixion of Christ and His return from heaven, we are living in a period of grace. It is during this time that God’s elect will be regenerated. Those who are spiritually dead will be quickened by the Holy Spirit. He will take out the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh and put His Spirit within them. God may use any means He chooses to make this happen. His word tells us of the most ordinary means He uses to bring His people to faith in Christ. It is simple. It is so simple that some call it foolishness.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
(18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Yes, our Almighty God uses the ordinary means of preaching as an ordinary way to bring about a miraculous change.
Romans 10:8-17
(8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Now, please understand, this is not a work of man that brings about salvation. It is the evidence of it. You and I do not know who God has chosen for salvation until we see the evidence of that salvation through the faith of those who believe. Not only do we not know whom God has chosen for salvation, it is also true that God did not leave it up to us to decide. He has given us His Word. We know that it is true. He has commissioned His church to go into all the world and make disciples. We are not responsible for the results. That is up to God. But we do have a duty take His Word into the World. We trust that Jesus knows His own sheep, and that His sheep come when He calls.
John 6:37
(37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.