The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament for paper Rev. Terry Goerz, Redeemer Lutheran Church
The Holy Spirit did not just appear on the scene on that first Pentecost when he came to the 120 believers gathered together and produced the sound of a violent blowing wind, appeared as tongues of fire and filled all the believers. He was a part of the Triune God from the beginning. But there was a difference in how we see the Holy Spirit between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Following are just a few examples of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. Job’s friend Elihu expressed what Jews believed about the Holy Spirit when he declared that the Spirit was the creator and sustainer of life. “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33: 4
Psalm 139 witnesses to the constant presence of the Holy Spirit and his guiding influence in the Old Testament: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139: 7 – 10
The prophet Nehemiah adds to that concept indicating that the Holy Spirit provided instruction to the Old Testament people and also that it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to admonish the Old Testament people when they fell away. “You gave your good Spirit to instruct them.” Nehemiah 9: 20 “By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets.” Nehemiah 9: 30
The OT saints believed that craftsmanship and artistic ability in the service of God was a gift of the Holy Spirit. During the exodus God not only designed how he wanted his tabernacle built, He also equipped the craftsmen to do it. “Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.” Exodus 31: 1-5
Then some OT believers were enabled by the Spirit to do extraordinary feats of power to help God’s people. For example, in the life of Samson: “As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.” Judges 14: 5b, 6a
And there are many more examples like the Holy Spirit enabling some to interpret God’s revelation in dreams such as Joseph and Daniel. The Holy Spirit was hovering above the waters at creation. So the Holy Spirit was active throughout the Old Testament and did not just appear on the scene at Pentecost.
But there was a difference in how the Holy Spirit operated between the Old Testament and the New Testament. “Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him (Moses), and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders.” Numbers 11: 25a
What I want you to notice here is that the Holy Spirit in described as being “on” Moses. Although there are occasions where the Holy Spirit is described as being in people in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is most often described as being “on” people or “with” people or similar words. When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit he said: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14: 16, 17 So prior to Pentecost the Holy Spirit is described as living with the disciples, but after Pentecost he “will be” in them.
In Old Testament times God was said to dwell in the temple at Jerusalem. In the New Testament God the Holy Spirit dwells in our body, so our body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” 1 Corinthians 6: 19
John said: “Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified” John 9: 39b. We have been showing that the Holy Spirit was active throughout the Old Testament era, but John said He had not been given?? No the Holy Spirit was not given as he was after Pentecost, but the Holy Spirit was present and active throughout the Old Testament times.
Blessing