On The Holy Spirit: His Past Ministry

God With Us: The Holy Spirit In The Old Testament Connecting the Dots Series 1/26/2022 “To the believer: Dear brother, honour the Spirit of God as you would honour Jesus Christ if he were present. If Jesus Christ were dwelling in your house you would not ignore him, you would not go about your business as if he were not there. Do not ignore the presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul. I beseech you, do not live as if you had not heard whether there were any Holy Spirit. To him pay your constant adorations. Reverence the august guest who has been pleased to make your body his sacred abode. Love him, obey him, worship him.” -Charles Spurgeon The Spirit of God Before Pentecost (1) ______________1 Genesis 1:1-2, NKJV - 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Job 33:4, NKJV - The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (2) ______________ The Spirit __________ God’s people Nehemiah 9:20, NKJV - You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst. Job 32:8, LSV - But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. The Spirit gave the prophets ________ ___ ________ Micah 3:8, NKJV - But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin. 1 “The verb used to describe the Holy Spirit’s coming upon Mary carries the same connotation at the term used in Genesis 1 to describe the creative power of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit came into the formlessness and hovered or brooded. As a hen broods over her eggs in order to bring forth life, so the Spirit produced order and substance and light. God, as the New Testament says, is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). He does not generate chaos. The Spirit of God brings order out of disorder; He brings something out of nothing; He brings light out of darkness.” (Sproul, 174-175). J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 1 1 Samuel 10:10, NKJV - When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. Ezekiel 8:3, NKJV - He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. Ezekiel 11:5, NKJV - Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the Lord: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.” Acts 1:16, NKJV - “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus…” 2 Peter 1:21, NKJV - … for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit _________ ___________ believers and non-believers alike.2 Numbers 24:1-2, NKJV – 1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him. (3) ______________ – through power/abilities/skills/authority3 Empowerment to __________ Exodus 28:3, NKJV - So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. Exodus 35:30-35, NKJV - 30 And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, 32 to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, 33 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of For Balaam’s status as an unbeliever, see 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 1:11, and Revelation 2:14. Numbers 31:8 communicates how Balaam died while fighting Israel, God’s people. 2 3 “[God’s] power exceeds that of anything that happens on this planet. We see this power manifested in the Old Testament primarily by the Holy Spirit, who in the Greek language is called the dynamis of God. The word dynamis is translated as ‘power.’ It is the word from which we get the English word dynamite. The Holy Spirit is shown to be the Spirit of power.” (Sproul, 175) J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 2 artistic workmanship. 34 “And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works. Zechariah 4:6-7, NKJV - 6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” Empowerment to __________ Judges 14:6, NKJV - And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. Judges 14:19, NKJV - Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So his anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father’s house. (4) ___________ ___ __________ ____ ______ Righteous Anger Kindled 1 Samuel 11:6, NKJV - Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. God With Us vs. God In Us4 The focus of the Old Testament was on God’s presence being WITH the covenant people of Israel.5 The focus of the New Testament was on God’s presence WITH the covenant people through Jesus leading to God’s presence WITHIN the covenant people through the Holy Spirit. “What does the Bible say about how the Spirit relates to believers before and after the glorification of Jesus? I believe this question is answered by Jesus’ statement in John 14:17: ‘He is with you, and he will be in you.’ Here Jesus encapsulates the Bible’s teaching on God’s dwelling in relation to believers in the old and new covenants. In the old covenant God faithfully remained with His people, accompanying them in a pillar of fire and cloud, then dwelling among them in the tabernacle and the temple. Under the new covenant, the only temple is the believing community itself, and God dwells not only among the community corporately (Matt 18:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16), but also in each member individually (John 14:17; Rom 8:9–11; 1 Cor 6:19).” (Hamilton, 3). 4 “The Old Testament teaches that God was with His people by dwelling among them in the temple rather than in them as under the new covenant.” (Hamilton, 25) 5 J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 3 (1) __________ / ___________ / ___________ by the Spirit of God Seemingly, in the Old Testament, some individuals were indwelled by the Holy Spirit on a temporary basis for purpose of guiding them in or qualifying them for leadership/service in Israel, though not every individual follower of God was filled, indwelt, or anointed.6 ___________ ___________7 ⸰ Joseph, Second to Pharoah (Genesis 41:38)8 ⸰ The Seventy Elders/Judges of Israel (Numbers 11:16-30) ⸰ Joshua Son of Nun, Leader of Israel (Numbers 27:18-19; Deuteronomy 34:9) ⸰ Various Judges of Israel (Judges 2:18)9 ⸰ Othniel (Judges 3:10) ⸰ Gideon (Judges 6:34) ⸰ Jephthah (Judges 11:29) ⸰ Samson (Judges 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14) ⸰ King Saul of Israel (1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6; 28:16-17)10 ⸰ King David of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13-18; Psalm 51:11; Hebrews 51:13) ____ ____________ ⸰ The Seventy Elders/Judges (Numbers 11:25-26) ⸰ Balaam (Numbers 24) ⸰ Saul (1 Samuel 19:20-24) ⸰ David (2 Samuel 23:2) ⸰ Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18) ⸰ Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1) ⸰ Jahaziel (2 Chronicles 20:14) 6 “In the Old Testament, the Spirit’s empowering was given only to isolated individuals—the prophets, the priests, the kings, the judges, and the artists and craftsmen who were called by God to fashion the furnishings and decorations for the tabernacle. The first time we read of the Holy Spirit filling people, it was the craftsmen, the artists who were uniquely gifted by the Spirit for their work (Ex. 28:3). The critical point s that not everyone in the camp, not every believer, had this gift. It was limited.” (Sproul, 177). 7 This is a category borrowed from Jim Hamilton which rightfully covers kings and other political positions seen in the lives of Biblical characters like Moses, Daniel, and Joseph. Israel was not always in her covenant land, but God was always with and working through Israel (Haggai 2:5). And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38, NKJV 8 9 And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. Judges 2:18, NKJV 10 “When Saul needs to be empowered anew, the Spirit rushed on him anew (11:6). This may indicate that the Spirit did not continually indwell Saul, but that Saul was periodically empowered by the Spirit. The Spirit comes on Saul just as He came on Samson. Further, just as the seventy elders prophesied, Saul also prophesied (10:10– 13).” (Hamilton, 31). J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 4 ⸰ Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20) ⸰ Isaiah (Isaiah 59:21) ⸰ Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:2; 3:12, 14, 24; 8:3; 11:1, 5, 24; 37:1; 43:5) ⸰ Daniel (Daniel 4:8, 9, 18; 5:11, 14) ⸰ Micah (Micah 3:8) ____ ___________ ____________ (Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; 61:1) (2) God’s ___________ ___________ His People “Jerusalem was precious to Old Testament believers because the temple was there, and the temple was precious to them because God was there” -Jim Hamilton11 -God dwelt among his people corporately in the Old Testament (Ex. 29:42-46) but did not dwell within individuals on a permanent basis until after Jesus’ Ascension. -The Holy Spirit’s presence in the OT among God’s people functioned in a like manner to His presence within the NT believer. -Distinguishing/Setting Apart12 -Sanctifying (Ps 7313) -Regeneration14 Pentecost Prophesied Numbers 11:16-17, 24-30, LSV 16 Yahweh therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers, and take them to the tent of meeting, 11 Hamilton, J.M., Jr. 38. God’s very presence among Israel set them apart from the surrounding nations. It was because God was holy that Israel was to be holy (Lv 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8; 1 Pt 1:16) and if they failed to be holy and follow the law of God, there would be consequences (Dt 28) even including God’s presence being removed from them (Dt 23:14) 12 13 Asaph writes that he contemplated the life of wickedness and their ease. This tempted him to consider living wickedly as well until he entered the temple, where God’s presence dwelled. “16 When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless, 17 until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. 18 Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin.” (Ps 73:16-18, CSB) 14 Hamilton makes an exegetical argument using Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 to show that though the OT believers were not indwelt by the Spirit (and said indwelling was said to have a future fulfillment) their hearts were “circumcised” (Lv 26:41; Dt 10:16; 30:6; Acts 7:51; Rm 2:29). He builds this case in part off of the tablets and covenant “cut” formerly in stone, and in the future on the heart. God’s presence dwelt with the Ark which housed the tablets and would one day dwell in the believer who housed the tablets of the new covenant. Before, God dwelt in the temple now he dwells in each individual believer who is the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16). (Hamilton, Chapter 3). J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 5 and let them take their stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. 24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of Yahweh. Also, he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and had them stand around the tent.25 Then Yahweh came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. 26 But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. 27 So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”28 Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of Yahweh were prophets, that Yahweh would put His Spirit upon them!” 30 Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel. Isaiah 32:15, LSV Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful orchard, And the fruitful orchard is counted as a forest. Isaiah 44:3, LSV For I will pour out water on the thirsty ground And streams on the dry land; I will pour out My Spirit on your seed And My blessing on your offspring; Jeremiah 31:31-34, LSV 31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will cut a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I cut with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, but I was a husband to them,” declares Yahweh. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will cut with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Yahweh: “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 And they will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares Yahweh, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Ezekiel 36:22-33, LSV 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, to which you have come. 23 I will prove the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh,” declares Lord Yahweh, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.24 And I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 6 your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to do My judgments. 28 And you will inhabit the land that I gave to your fathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. 29 Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you. 30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field so that you will not receive again the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves to your own faces for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 I am not doing this for your sake,” declares Lord Yahweh, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and feel dishonor for your ways, O house of Israel!” 33 ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places will be rebuilt. Ezekiel 37:12-14, LSV 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.13 Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.14 And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken and done it,” declares Yahweh.’” Ezekiel 39:29, LSV And I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares Lord Yahweh. Joel 2:28-29, LSV 28 “And it will be afterwards That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams; Your young men will see visions. 29 Even on the male slaves and female slaves I will in those days pour out My Spirit. Glossary: - Indwelling – “God’s abiding, positive, covenant presence in believers through the Spirit”15 - Regeneration – “God’s work of granting to humans the ability to hear, understand, believe, obey, and enter the kingdom”16 15 Hamilton, 2-3. 16 Hamilton, 2. J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 7 Bibliography: Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 3rd Ed. Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2013. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction To Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2000. Hamilton, J.M., Jr. God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old & New Testaments. B&H Academic: Nashville, TN, 2006. Sproul, R.C. Everyone’s A Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Reformation Trust Publishing: Sanford, Florida, 2014. Umstattd, Rustin. The Spirit And The Lake Of Fire: Pneumatology and Judgement. Wipf & Stock Publishers: Eugene, Oregon, 2017. Zuber, Kevin D. The Essential Scriptures: A Handbook of the Biblical Texts for Key Doctrines. Moody Publishers: Chicago, Illinois, 2021. J.C. Andrews The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 8