THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Introduction: We must distinguish between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant; (Gal. 4:4-6):

Hebrew: The Hebrew term רוּחַ (ruach) can mean “wind,” and “breath”; it can also refer to the life principle of persons or animals. Some passages play on multiple senses of the term (Isa 25:4; 32:15; Ezek 37:1–14).

1. The Holy Spirit is fully God:

A. The Trinity (Gen. 1:1-2; John 1:1-3; Matt. 28:19):

B. The “Holy” Spirit (Psa. 51:11; Isa. 57:1; Isa. 63:10-11):

C. The Holy Spirit is personal (Isa. 63:10):

2. The Holy Spirit was active in creation and is active in sustaining creation:

A. The creation of the universe: (Gen.1:2) (Gen. 2:7) ruach; pneuma; “breath, wind, spirit”; (Psa. 33:6) (Job 33:4)

B. The sustaining power of the universe: (Psa. 139:7) (Acts 17:25)

C. The Spirit as God’s wisdom; communicating the words of God and revealing his will: (Psa. 143:10) (Neh. 9:20, 30) (Isa. 11:2)

D. The Spirit and creativity: Zech 4:6

E. The Spirit and revelation (the inspiration of the Scriptures): Daniel 2:19-20; 47

3. The Holy Spirit was sent by God to perform specific tasks, but then was withdrawn— there was no permanent indwelling of the Spirit in the lives of God’s people:

A. To accomplish his will, God sends his Spirit upon people to fulfill a particular task:

Bezalel (Exo. 31:1-5; 35:31);

Moses, the 70 Elders (Num. 11:17, 24-25, 29);

Joshua (Num. 27:18);

Gideon (Judges 6:34 );

Saul (1 Sam. 10:6-7);

David (1 Sam.16:13);

Balaam (Num. 24:2).

B. Not a permanent indwelling:

(I Sam. 16:13-14) Saul and David;

(Psa. 51:10-12) David's prayer:

4. God promised that the Holy Spirit would be made available to all people:

A. The New Covenant:

Isaiah 32:15; 44:3

Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:40-41; 33:14-1

B. Water and Spirit: imagery of “pouring out”:

Ezekiel 36:24-27; 39:25-29 6; 50:4-5

Joel 2:28-32

C. The Old Covenant fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus and establishment of the church: Matt 16:18 ; Acts 2:16–21