“Tracking the Wind in the Old Testament”
To many, the person, work, and ministry of the Holy Spirit are a mystery. He is not only invisible but also confusing and even a little bit eerie ... especially when, for years, He was referred to as “It” and formally addressed as “the Holy Ghost.” (Swindoll)
As we revisit the Biblical data concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit I hope to refine our perception of this misunderstood third person of the Trinity. In addition to a refined perception, I am praying that we will gain a new appreciation and a functional relationship. Even with only surface investigation of the Scripture regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit it becomes clear that the Holy Spirit serves out the role of a pastor. He is God’s pastor to God’s people. All of us want the perfect pastor. Well, we do have a perfect perpetual pastor; His name is the Holy Spirit.
A common misconception regarding the Holy Spirit is that He didn’t arrive on the scene until Pentecost. That is as untrue as the thought that Jesus only came into existence at Bethlehem.
It is clear throughout the Bible that all three members of the Trinity perfectly cooperated not only in creation but in the implementation of God’s grand salvation plan. So what was the Holy Spirit up to during Old Testament times? Today we will take some time to get to know the Holy Spirit a bit better by “Tracking the Wind in the Old Testament.”
I. HIS NAME & TITLES
The first thing you usually find out first is someone’s name. Names set people apart from the crowd. They distinguish them as individuals. Names or titles also may identify their function or character or association with others.
Father, Son, Daughter, Cousin, Brother, Uncle, Professor, helper, Aid, Sergeant, General, Doctor, Pastor.
Relationship to the Father
Spirit of God Gen 1:2; Matt 3:16
Spirit of the Lord Luke 4:18
Spirit of our God 1Cor 6:11
His Spirit Num 11:29
Spirit of Yahweh Judg 3:10
Your Spirit Ps 139:7
Spirit of the Lord God Isa 61:1
Spirit of your Father Matt 10:20
Spirit of the Living God 2Cor 3:3
Spirit of Him Rom 8:11
Relationship to the Son
Spirit of Christ Rom 8:9
Spirit of Jesus Christ Phil 1:19
Spirit of Jesus Act 16:7
Spirit of His Son Gal 4:6
Spirit of the Lord Act 5:9; 8:39
Titles revealing attributes
Spirit of Life Rom 8:2
Spirit of Holiness Rom 1:4
Holy One 1John 2:20
Spirit of Wisdom Ex 28:3; Eph 1:17
Spirit of Wisdom/understanding Isa 11:2
Spirit of Counsel and Might Isa 11:2
Spirit of knowledge/fear of the Lord Isa 11:2
Spirit of Truth John 14:17
Spirit of Grace Heb 10:29; Zech 12:10
Titles revealing His Work
Spirit of Glory 1Pet 4:14
Spirit of life Rom 8:2
Encourager, Helper, Comforter John 14-16
Spirit of Adoption Rom 8:15
SYMBOLS
Clothed with Power Luke 24:49
"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
A Dove Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; Joh 1:32
Technically He was not ever pictured as a dove but his descent upon Jesus at His baptism was resembled a motions of a descending of a dove.
Down-payment 2Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:14
Fire Acts 2:3
Oil This is only by implication. There is no specific verse linking the Holy Spirit with oil.
Seal 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30
Water John 7:37-39
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.' " But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:28-39
Wind John 3:8; Acts 2:1-2 (Both Hebrew and Greek use words which mean breath or wind.
II. His Origin
You generally would like to know the origins or background of a new pastor. The Bible declares that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father
John 15:26 “the Spirit of truth, which proceeds (present tense) from the Father”
Psalm 104:30 “You send forth Your Spirit”
The Holy Spirit has eternally existed along with the Father and the Son.
III. Nature and Character
A. He is invisible but personal John 3
He has all the elements of personality
Intellect 1Cor 2:10-11; Eph 1:17
Sensibility (emotions) Eph 4:30; Joy in the HS
Volition 1 Cor 12:11
His works affirm personality
He Creates Gen 1:2
He Empowers Zech 4:6
He Teaches John 16:13
He Guides Rom 8:14
He Comforts John 14:26
He Prays Rom 8:26
A mere power or force does not do these things. These are attributes of an intelligent being.
Even the unusual use of personal Pronouns affirms Personality. The Word generally used for the Holy Spirit is a neuter noun. However in several places the masculine pronoun is used. (John 15:26; 16:13-14)
B. He has all the same attributes of the Father and the Son
Matt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14
1. Greatness
Self-existent
Eternal
Self-sufficient
Unchangeable
All-present -- Available
All-knowing -- Aware
All-powerful – able
Incomprehensible
2. Goodness
Love
Merciful
Grace
Faithful
Long-suffering
3. Purity
Holy
Righteous
True
Sovereign
Wrath
Jealous
Like I have said, “We have the perfect Pastor.” He comes with great references.
IV. His References
The Father sent Him. Jesus endorsed Him as another of like kind who would come and minister to the disciples.
V. His Training
He is omniscient. That means that the Holy Spirit knows all there is to know about everything past, present, and future both actual and possible. He is the Spirit of truth who came to enlighten and bring us into the truth.
Isaiah 40:13-14 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, And informed Him of the way of understanding?
These attributes are not just facts, they relate to how He actually functions in real life.
VI. Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Today we will survey His ministry with groups and individuals up to New Testament times.
In the following weeks we will look at His ministry in the New Testament times. As we look at what He did in the past, our objective is to get to know Him as a person. Many people only perceive the Holy Spirit as a force or emotional experience of warm tingly or spiritual euphoria without the personal relationship or responsibility.
As we observe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others we will see that the focus has been divine purpose oriented rather than individual experience oriented. We must continually come back to the Holy Spirit as a person with whom we enter into a submissive relationship. Genuine spiritual experience often only comes after a consistent practice of humble obedience. As we observe the work of the Holy Spirit in and through individuals we must be careful not try to reproduce the same effects. His relationship is individual with specific ministry and purposes.
Note: the believers mentioned in the Bible didn’t seek particular manifestations of the Spirit.
They walked with God and the manifestations and ministries of the Holy Spirit in the life happened in the normal course of their walk. We have a tendency to look at past ministry and events and manifestations and focus on the reproduction of those things in our life. It is dangerous to focus on the results of a relationship rather than the relationship itself. It is as dangerous as it would be to read about and observe characteristics and fruit in other marriages and begin to long and seek for those same manifestations in our own marriage. We soon lose sight of relationship and begin to pressure the other person into a role they were never gifted to fulfill. Having said that, let’s look at the Holy Spirit’s past ministry to various groups and individuals. We want to look for common elements of His ministry as well as unique aspects of ministry with particular individuals and groups.
A. The Holy Spirit’s Participation in Creation
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
Psalm 104:30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the ground.
Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him?
In the Holy Spirit we have a creative Pastor. Think about creation. Power, wisdom, creativity, beauty, expression, symmetry, variety, intricacy from the minute to the massive. We will discover later that the Holy Spirit is also a gifted musician.
B. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry in the Life of Joseph
Pharaoh recognized the special ministry of the Spirit in Joseph. He gave Joseph the plan. He communicated through Joseph information that saved two nations from disaster. He gave Him insights into the mystery of God’s progressing revelation to men.
C. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry in Moses’ Time
He Supplied Special Skills for Significant Projects Exodus 31-40
• Hearts stirred to support the Work
• Hearts stirred and gifted to do the Work
• Hearts stirred and gifted to teach the workers
Results of the Spirit’s Ministry
• Abundant Supply for the Work
• Beautiful completed tabernacle
Moses and leadership Numbers 11:16-30
1. The Holy Spirit gifted Moses to lead the congregation.
2. Even filled with the Holy Spirit one man cannot carry all the leadership responsibility.
3. The Holy Spirit looks to those who are servants of the people.
4. The Holy Spirit touches those who will stand together. (Unity)
5. The ministry of the Holy Spirit enables leaders to bear the burdens of the people.
6. Manifestations accompanying the Spirit’s “resting” are not always the same or continuous.
7. God is sovereign concerning those He chooses to lead and anoint.
8. Not all are anointed for leadership.
9. The Spirit of God gave peace and rest in the midst of confusion and wilderness. Isa 63:14
D. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry with the judges
Othniel
“The Lord raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel and he went out to war.” Jud 3
Gideon
“So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet and the Abiezrites were called together to follow Him.”
Calling by the Angel of the Lord. Reassuring signs. Purging of idolatry from the family.
Still afraid. Further need for reassurance. Ultimate victory by the hand of the Lord.
Samson
Observations:
1. He was God’s chosen instrument to accomplish deliverance for His people.
2. The Spirit began a work early in his life.
3. The Holy Spirit gave him supernatural physical strength to bring about deliverance.
4. The Spirit used Samson in spite of a fleshly walk.
5. The Lord will only go so far.
When Samson violated the special covenant with God, the Spirit left him.
“I will go out as at other times and shake myself free. But he did not know that the Lord had departed from Him.”
He had no longer had the advantage of a personal relationship. He took for granted the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life.
6. The Spirit continued His work when he humbled himself, repented and asked for help.
“So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.”
E. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry in the time of the Kings
Saul
The Promise of His ministry
"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. 1 Sam 10:6
The Fulfillment of the Promise
When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them. 1 Samuel 10:10
The work of the Spirit in Saul related to prophesying, speaking God’s word. The Spirit also stirred up a passion against evil that motivate Saul to do something about it.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry. 1 Samuel 11:6
The Removal of the Spirit’s ministry because of disobedience.
“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. 1 Sam 16:14
The Spirit provided protection to David by coming on those sent by Saul. Even Saul was again overcome by the ministry of the Spirit.
David
At his anointing to ministry the spirit came mightily upon David from that day forward.
He provided wisdom to lead the people.
“Let your good spirit lead me on level ground.” Ps 143:10
He enabled effective declaration of the Word.
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and His word was on my tongue.” 2Sam 23:1-2
He inspired the bulk of the Psalms along with his skill as a musician.
F. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry through Prophets
The Spirit spoke words of encouragement in difficult times. The Spirit gave specific direction for battle etc. The Spirit spoke words of exhortation.
2 Chron. 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, "Thus God has said, 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.' "
2 Peter 1:20-21 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Ezekiel
Spirit entered and stood him on his feet and spoke. Stirred a righteous anger 3:12-15
Gave specific direction 3:24 Gave a visions 8:3, 11:1, 24
Daniel
The work of the Spirit was recognized in Daniel. 4:8; 5:11-14; 6:3
Micah
Courage to confront sins of the people. (Micah 3:8)
I am filled with power with the Spirit of the Lord and with justice and courage to make know to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin.
Haggai
Haggai experienced the abiding presence of the Spirit to bring courage in difficult circumstances.
‘But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD, 'take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,' declares the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts. 5'As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!' Haggai 2:4-5
Zechariah to Zerubbabel concerning the essential nature of the work of the Holy Spirit.
This is the word to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4:6
G. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry in marriage
"And this is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then, to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 ‘For I hate divorce,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with wrong,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’ Malachi 2:13-16
• Summary of OT Ministry
Ability to create and give life.
Source of life.
Stirs hearts to work.
Skills individuals to work.
Stirs the heart skills individuals to teach others
Stirs hearts to give.
Provides abilities to lead others in following God (Moses, Judges, David
Skills leaders to bear the burdens of others.
Communicates the truth (Balaam, David)
Gives leaders wisdom to make good decisions
Imparts strategy for conducting warfare
Enables to rally people to the cause
Imparts supernatural physical strength and stamina
Issues prophetic proclamations (Saul, others, prophets)
Generates a righteous response to evil
Provides protection from attack
Speaks words of encouragement in difficult times
Provides specific direction
Confronts concerning sin.
Gives vision for the future.
Gives Courage to confront sin.
Calms fears by His presence in difficulty.
CONCLUSIONS
The Holy Spirit has been pastoring from the beginning of time. He has empowered individuals and ministered to groups in a variety of ways. Although he was continually working, He was not always specifically mentioned as working in everyone. Specific mention of His work is absent much of the time. There was no specific mention of the Spirit’s work in Abraham the father of faith yet we know He must have been at work.
Specific manifestations such as prophesying were not sought by the people. The Holy Spirit’s ministry sovereignly manifested where needed. People focused on their relationship with God, not a search for power or manifestations. People did not seek the gifts; they faithfully used what God at the moment. Some were reluctant tools of the Holy Spirit. Some were even unworthy instruments of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to realize the fact that the ministry of the Holy Spirit does not radically differ from what He does and will do with and among us today. When we come to the New Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christ and then later in the Body of Christ we will find more detail but the basic ministry is very similar. We have in the Holy Spirit a powerful, wise and creative Pastor.
Paul’s admonition to us is to be continually under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Listen to, trust and obey His direction.
To the extent that we live daily under His direction, His powerful enablement will follow.
