The Prophet Joel

The Book of Joel, a prophetic book of the Old Testament of the Bible, derives its name from the prophet Joel. Nothing other than his name is known about the prophet. The date of composition was probably between 400 and 350 BC, although some scholars place it much earlier (9th - 7th century BC).

The book falls into two sections. The first (1:1 - 2:17) gives an account of a plague of locusts and a drought that ravaged Judah as a symbol of divine judgment. The second (2:18 - 3:21) promises the gift of the spirit of the Lord for the entire population and declares final judgment on all nations, with protection and fertility for Judah and Jerusalem. The passage on the outpouring of God's Spirit (2:28 - 32) is cited in Peter's sermon in Acts 2:17 - 21. Later, Paul applied these prophetic words (Joel 2:32) to both Jews and non-Jews who call upon Jehovah in faith. "For everyone who calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved." (Romans 10:13) It is this portion of Joel which I have chosen to write about since it has importance for us in the current times we live in.

In Chapter Two, verses 28 and 29, Joel speaks of God's spirit being poured out resulting in prophesy, dreams, and visions. Peter told the early congregation that the same things would occur again in their time. What does that mean for us now in these days for modern Christians? Are these gifts of the spirit still active today or have they been done away with?

This can be a bone of contention for some. It is true there was an outpouring of holy spirit at Pentecost and miraculous gifts were granted to Christians to aid them as the number of true believers began to grow and establish congregations. However in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul clearly points out that these gifts would be done away with. "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." The evidence is that with the death of the apostles, these gifts stopped being transmitted, having served their purpose because by that time the books of the Bible which had been inspired by holy spirit had been completed. Nothing new needed to be added to an already perfect and completed book from Jehovah. But we do continue to learn from the past prophets as well as the apostles who followed closely the teachings of Christ, and the laws Jehovah has given us.

What is significant about Pentecost? This was a later name used to denote the Festival of Harvest. when first fruits were offered to Him. That fact is appropriate to our time, for there is no greater harvest at hand than the harvest of new believers of the teachings of Christ and his father, Jehovah. In turn, we too gather fruit for harvest to bring glory to God and His son.