Who is Joel the prophet?

(Joel 2:28-29 NIV) 28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Who is Joel? Joel is a minor prophet during the reign of King Joash in Judah. He is considered a minor prophet because his book is small in comparison to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. His message was warnings to turn from their wicked ways and return to God. The writing is dated between 835 B.C. to 796 B.C. The date range is broad because there are no historical events mentioned. The people were experiencing an abundance of blessings and began to take God’s love for granted.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, began to preach from Joel 2:28-29 to explain what's taking place. The crowd that is accusing them of being drunk are aware of the prophet Joel.

(Acts 2:16-21) 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

It is very easy to follow the crowd. As individuals, we are to be cautious of the conclusions we reach. The wrong decision can cause great harm leading others astray. Peter has explained that the Old Testament has insight into our future. Study, pray, and meditate on the goodness of God.