For example, Moses declared, “Oh, that all the people of the Lord were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:29). In a similar way, Ezekiel became a mouthpiece, saying, “For I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel, says the Lord God” (Ezek. 39:29). Isaiah follows the same pattern, pronouncing: “I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring” (Is. 44:3).
Joel joins this great company of seers, affirming, “And it will be that, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on menservants and maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28-29).
There is little doubt that ancient Israel expected the Spirit to be manifest within the people of God as they entered into the coming age of salvation. They believed that a day would come when all who loved God would be positioned to speak the mysteries of His Word.
