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13
This is a foreshadowing of the passage in Joel (Joel 3.1-5 [2.28-32]) that a spirit of prophecy
would be broadly distributed among Gods people. Stuart aptly calls it the "democratization of
the Spirit."
28
Peter saw this as an accomplished reality in his speech on the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2.16-21).
29
Joels concern in his prophecy is to show that the prophetic outpouring of the
Spirit comes in tandem with a close and intimate relationship with God. Achtemeier explains
. . . consonant with Joels entire concern, the Spirit here signifies a new relation with God. "All flesh"
in Judah, including manservant and maidservant, will once again have that intimate relation to God
characteristic of prophets (cf. Isa 50:4; Jer.15:16; 20:11).
30

Allen says:
Joel evidently ministered in an age when prophecy was in little evidence in Judah. This constituted a
state of spiritual deprivation in OT thinking. The narrator at 1 Sam. 3:1 commented pityingly on a
period when "the word of Yahweh was rarely given . . .; visions were uncommon." In the NT Paul
declares that if all the church prophesy, a non-Christian visitor will be constrained to "declare that
God is really among you" (1 Cor 14:24).

The immanence of Yahweh in Israels ongoing history would be manifested in a special way, by the
charismatic endowment of every member of the community with this prophetic gift. The promise
takes up the wistful longing of Moses expressed in Num 11:29 . . . and stamps it as a definite part of
Yahwehs program for the future.

The prophetic privilege of standing, as it were, among Yahwehs council and hearing his word at first
hand (Jer 23:18) would be the personal experience of every member of the religious community.
31

This concern for a close and faithful relationship, with provision for guidance and power,
between Yahweh and his people underlies the passage in Deut 18. In NT times, living in the age
of the Spirit, predicted by the prophet Joel, there are gifts and resources now distributed broadly
among Gods people (1 Cor 12:7-11; 14:1-33). Paul can pray that the believers in Ephesus
would be given a Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Jesus and his great power available
to us that is far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be
given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Eph 1:17-21).


IV. Conclusion

The need people have for divine guidance and power which pushes them to occult and magic
also highlights the fact that there is a supernatural God who does speak and act in powerful ways
28
D. Stuart, Hosea-Jonah (Word Biblical Commentary; eds. D. A. Hubbard and G. W. Barker; Waco, TX: Word
Books, Publishers, 1987) 260.
29
Achtemeier points out that the main emphasis in Peters use of this passage is on the Spirit empowered ,,witness
rather than Joels emphasis of a new and close relationship between Yahweh and his people (Minor Prophets I,
[New International Biblical Commentary; Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers and Paternoster Press, 1996] 149).
30
Achtemeier, Minor Prophets, 149.
31
L. C. Allen, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament; ed. R. K.
Harrison; Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1976). 99.