5: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (Part One)

^{Genesis 1:2} Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned in the very second statement of the Bible. His involvement in creation is not fully explained, but He was there “hovering” over the surface of the deep that entirely covered the earth. The term suggests that He was nurturing the waters in some way.

Creation

Each member of the Trinity is said to be responsible for creation, but each in different ways. This is suggested, for example, by Paul’s use of different prepositions:

^{1 Corinthians 8:6} yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

The Spirit is the source of life, and so Eliphaz declares, “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

Gifting Human Beings

When Yahweh is instructing Moses about the building of the Tabernacle, He specifies a particular artisan, Bezalel, as one gifted by the Spirit to complete His plans:

…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills (Exodus 31:3)

He gave Samson the gift of strength:

As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. (Judges 15:14)

Judging by what Paul says of spiritual gifts all being manifestations of the Holy Spirit, we may suppose that He is the author or source of all our abilities. We must learn: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says Yahweh Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

Inspiring Prophets

One particular ability He gives is the ability to prophesy, that is, to speak what God wants spoken, to hear from God and relay what He says. So, for example,

² When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him ³ and he spoke his message: (Numbers 24:2,3)

When he [Saul] and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. (1 Samuel 10:10)

He transported Ezekiel, giving him a vision for Israel (much as he did for Philip in Acts 8:39):

He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood. (Ezekiel 8:3)

Empowering Leaders

The Holy Spirit is said to be particularly involved in gifting and helping leaders. The judges of Israel were given the Spirit to be able to judge and lead God’s people:

I [Yahweh] will come down and speak with you [Moses] there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. (Numbers 11:17)

The Spirit of Yahweh came on him [Othniel], so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. Yahweh gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. (Judges 3:10)

Now the Spirit of Yahweh had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh tormented him. (1 Samuel 16:14)

When Yahweh was through with Saul’s leadership, the Holy Spirit departed from Saul. He was no longer equipped to rule. After David has sinned, he asks God not to take the Holy Spirit from him, that is, not to invalidate his kingship (Psalm 51:11).

Leading and Instructing

It was the Holy Spirit who led Israel and taught her. He led her through the wilderness to Canaan, and taught her through Moses and the other prophets,

You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. (Nehemiah 9:20)

For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. (Nehemiah 9:30)

The Spirit was leading them to holy life before God, even as Paul declares He does for us (Romans 8:9-14; Galatians 5:16-18). We may pray with the Psalmist:

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)