The Holy Spirit - The Spirit in Israel’s History

Intro

Unfortunately, it seems difficult for people to learn lessons from history.

During the entire period of the judges, the same thing happened over and over again: the people would fall into idolatry and sin, be punished, cry out to God, and God would send a judge to deliver them.

They would serve the Lord for a time, then the next generation would fall back into the same old ways.

Even the leaders and priests were affected by the attractions of Canaanite ways, culture, and religion.

It seems every generation had to learn the hard way. Every generation needed its own revival. 

N.1 – A New Generation

1A. Joshua and Judges

The Holy Spirit is not mentioned in The book of Joshua.

As we examine the book of Joshua and the first two chapters of Judges, however, we discover that failures are recorded as well as successes.

Read Joshua 7:2–4; 9:14; 13:1. Which statements are true?

a) Joshua always looked for the guidance of the Spirit instead of trusting in his own judgment.

b) The Israelites drove out all the other nations before Joshua died.

c) God fought for Israel and gave them many victories before Joshua died (true)

d) The people promised Joshua to serve the Lord (true)

e) The people turned away from the Lord as soon as Joshua died.

At the beginning of the Judges’ time the younger generation was neglected as far as spiritual training was concerned, and perhaps in other ways as well.

The result was a new generation rising up who did not know the Lord or His mighty works. These young people were attracted to the careless morals and prestigious temples of the Canaanites.

Read Judges 2:10. What does the Bible mean when it says the new generation did not know the Lord nor His mighty works?

Answer: the word know usually means to know in an intimate or personal way. The new generation did not know the Lord for themselves. They had heard of the great miracles done in the past, but they had never seen anything for themselves.

1B. Cycle of History Under the Judges

N.2 - God’s Chosen Judges

2A. Deborah’s Wisdom

Deborah was known for the wisdom the Spirit of God gave her.

She had a firm faith in the Lord that did not need to be bolstered by all the signs God found it necessary to give to Gideon in order to get him to act.

She was ready to do what she could, and she gave Barak the support he needed.

Evidently, her rebuke did cause Barak to act in faith, for Barak is listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32.

Deborah was the only woman judge. Mark the true statements which indicate she was also one of the most spiritual.

a) She was not married.

b) She was a prophetess (true)

c) She was the only prophetess in the early history of Israel (Miriam)

d) She was the only judge who was called a judge before winning any military victories (true)

e) The people recognized she was in touch with the Lord (true)

f) God did a great deal to encourage her faith through fleeces, fire from heaven, visions, and other signs.

2B. Gideon’s Active Faith

Gideon was from an unimportant family and is a wonderful example of how far the Lord will go to strengthen the faith of the person He wants to use.

Read Judges 6:25-27 and Judges 6:34. Was Gideon a passive instrument in God's hands?

2C. Samson: Moved into Powerful Action

One important lesson we learn from Samson is that God often uses those who exercise faith in one area, even though they do not show obedience in all areas of their lives.

The fact that God uses a person or does miracles through him or her does not mean God approves of everything else the person says or does.

We can’t take it for granted that every evangelist who is used in a miracle ministry must automatically be correct in all his or her doctrine and actions (Acts 17:11).

What else can we learn about the Spirit of God from The book of Judges?

N.3 - Prophets and Kings

3A. Samuel, Anointer of Kings

Samuel had a number of important ministries. He was a prophet, priest, teacher, judge, and intercessor.

He led the people in spiritual revival and united the twelve tribes for the first time since Joshua.

But God made Samuel an anointer of kings who would bring deliverance.

Which of the following statements are true?

a) Eli anointed Samuel with oil (maybe).

b) Any kind of oil could be used for anointing in Old Testament times.

c) Oil was always a symbol of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

d) People and things were anointed with oil (true)

e) Anyone who wished could be anointed with oil in Old Testament times.

f) The Bible states that Samuel was anointed with the Spirit.

g) Samuel’s ministry showed he was a man of the Spirit (true)

3B. Saul and David Anointed

In spite of the fact that the Israelites asked for a king from the wrong motives, God remained faithful to them and gave them a king.

God’s faithfulness is seen also in that He not only gave them the kind of king they wanted, He gave them one who, at the beginning, was better than they deserved. God also prepared the king and anointed him.

Again, we see that no one could accuse God of not doing His part.

Read 1 Samuel 16:13 and name three differences in the experiences of Saul and David.

The anointing with oil was followed by a real experience with the Spirit in both Saul and David.

What is said about David’s experience that is not said about Saul’s? Why was it important?

3C. An Evil Spirit from the Lord

What happened to Saul after Samuel anointed David (1 Samuel 16:14)?

What are some of the possible interpretations of the “harmful spirit from the Lord,” and which one do you prefer?

Answer: The context suggests that the word evil here means judgment. God, as a Holy God, sent a spirit of judgment (possibly an angel bearing judgment) on Saul as a punishment for his sins.

Questions

1 = B

2 = C

3 = C

4 = D

5 = C

6 = A

7 = B

8 = a 4

b 1

c 5

d 3

e 2