The Holy Spirit - The Spirit in Israel’s Beginnings

N.1 – The Patriarchs

1A. Abraham the Prophet

One thing in Genesis 20:7 lets us know Abraham was a man of the Spirit. What was it?

a) He spoke in other tongues.

b) He told everyone he was filled with the Spirit.

c) God said he was a prophet (true).

The books of Romans and Hebrews both indicate that Abraham had faith for resurrection. We must believe that Jesus really did rise and ascend to the Father and that He is now praying for us that the Father might send us the Spirit just as He said He would (John 14:16).

1B. Anointed Ones

Psalm 105:15 is worthy of attention. It speaks of anointing. Anointing with oil in the Bible is usually a type or symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. There is no indication of an anointing with oil here, however. The anointing is simply by the Holy Spirit himself. He anointed the patriarchs and made them prophets, speakers for God.

Read 1 John 4:1–3. What should be our attitude toward those who come telling us we should believe what they say and who claim great anointing? (Some of these may use Psalm 105:15 as a threat to any who do not accept their claims).

N.2 – Building the Tabernacle

2A. Bezaleel and Aholiab

On Mount Sinai God gave Moses directions for building a tabernacle (a portable tent), a place for God to dwell, a place set apart for Him to manifest His presence and glory in their midst. Even though a variety of materials were used so all could participate, it was to be done according to the pattern and instructions given by God. The work was to be done carefully, using the best of their skills as well.

2A. Bezaleel and Aholiab

According to Exodus 35:30-35, which statements are true?

a) God filled only Moses with the Spirit.

b) God filled all of the men and women who were working on the tabernacle with the Spirit.

c) No one was filled with the Spirit in Old Testament times.

d) God filled Bezaleel and Aholiab with the Spirit for the purpose of working on the tabernacle and teaching others (true)

e) Bezaleel and Aholiab were the only ones of the tabernacle workers who were filled with the Spirit (true)

Analysis: On the basis of John 14:7 “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”” , some have jumped to the conclusion that no one was filled with the Spirit before Pentecost. But the experience of the disciples was a special case. During the ministry of Jesus they knew the Spirit as He worked through Jesus. But the Bible uses the word filled of the experiences of Bezaleel and Aholiab, as well as of John the Baptist’s parents and John himself—Luke 1:15, 41, 67. Bezaleel and Aholiab were filled for a specific purpose. The Spirit was not poured out upon all).

N.3 – Moses and the Elders of Israel

3A. Sufficient for the need

After the Israelites finished the tabernacle, the cloud covered it and the glory filled it. That is, there was an outward evidence of God’s presence, and an inward reality. This is so often the case when God or the Holy Spirit manifest their presence in the Bible. It was true on the Day of Pentecost as the believers received the outward evidence of speaking in other tongues. It is true today.

3B. Living Below their Privileges

God wanted to teach another lesson, not only to Moses, but also to Joshua and Israel. Which statements are true of Numbers 11:26–29?

a) The camp remained very quiet after the seventy elders quit prophesying.

b) Two men at the tabernacle kept prophesying.

c) Joshua asked Moses to have Eldad and Medad stop prophesying (true).

d) Moses was very jealous when he saw that the Spirit was continuing to use someone besides himself.

e) Moses felt that only great leaders should be filled with the Spirit and be prophets.

N.4 – Joshua filled by the Spirit

4A. Joshua’s leadership

Read Numbers 27:18. Which of these statements are true?

a) Joshua was filled with wisdom as well as with the Holy Spirit (true).

b) God took Joshua through experiences where he learned to depend on the Spirit (true).

c) Joshua was not filled with the Spirit until Moses laid his hands on him.

d) The people were unwilling to recognize Joshua as Moses’ successor because he had not yet won any victories for them.

e) God did not appoint Joshua as leader until after Moses was dead.

The laying on of hands was a public recognition of what God had already done in filling Joshua with the Spirit and choosing him for leadership. It is important to notice too that God did not leave Israel without leadership in this critical time when they were about to cross Jordan and enter the promised land.

Question: What have you learned from Joshua’s example about the Spirit’s concern to prepare leadership for God’s people?

Answer: Did you include the fact that the Spirit filled Joshua and began to guide and train him long before anyone had any idea that Joshua would be God’s man to take them into the promised land? God is faithful. It is not His intention to leave His people without leadership

Questions

1=B

2=A

3=C

4=D

5=C

6=B

7=A

8=A

9=B

10=Old Testament Filling: a, d, e, f, g, h, and i.

10= New Testament Filling: b, c, d, e, g, and h.