Which Old Testament prophet foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

Which Old Testament prophet foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?

• A. Joel
• B. Isaiah
• C. Jeremiah
• D. Ezekiel

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is who predicted a widespread outpouring of God’s Spirit. Joel is the prophet who makes this specific forecast in the latter days, describing God pouring out his Spirit on all people—young and old, male and female—leading to widespread prophecy, dreams, and visions. This promise is repeatedly linked to Pentecost in the New Testament when Peter quotes Joel to explain the event of the Spirit coming upon believers. Other prophets speak about the Spirit in meaningful ways—Isaiah speaks of the Spirit resting on God’s Anointed and guiding His people, Ezekiel speaks of a new heart and Spirit given to enable obedience, and Jeremiah talks about the New Covenant role of the Spirit in writing God’s law on hearts. But Joel’s message is the clearest and most direct forecast of a universal, dramatic outpouring of the Spirit in the last days, which is why it’s the best answer.

The idea being tested is who predicted a widespread outpouring of God’s Spirit. Joel is the prophet who makes this specific forecast in the latter days, describing God pouring out his Spirit on all people—young and old, male and female—leading to widespread prophecy, dreams, and visions. This promise is repeatedly linked to Pentecost in the New Testament when Peter quotes Joel to explain the event of the Spirit coming upon believers.

Other prophets speak about the Spirit in meaningful ways—Isaiah speaks of the Spirit resting on God’s Anointed and guiding His people, Ezekiel speaks of a new heart and Spirit given to enable obedience, and Jeremiah talks about the New Covenant role of the Spirit in writing God’s law on hearts. But Joel’s message is the clearest and most direct forecast of a universal, dramatic outpouring of the Spirit in the last days, which is why it’s the best answer.