Holy Spirit in OT

The Holy Spirit as the presence of God

He is active in creation

Genesis 1:2 NIV

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

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He is present everywhere

Psalm 139:7 NIV - Anglicised

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

His sovereignty

Isaiah 34:16 NIV - Anglicised

Look in the scroll of the Lord and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together.

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All life is dependent on the Spirit

NIV footnote at verse 14.

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He is present with God’s people

Isaiah 63:11–14 NIV - Anglicised

Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.

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The Holy Spirit equips individuals

For leadership

Judges 3:10 NIV - Anglicised

The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.

See also ; The gift of prophecy was given temporarily to the elders in order to establish them as leaders of God’s people; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

In bringing revelation

Genesis 41:38–39 NIV - Anglicised

So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no-one so discerning and wise as you.

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By empowering the prophet

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By giving special strength

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By guidance

Psalm 143:10 NIV - Anglicised

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

In planning

1 Chronicles 28:12 NIV - Anglicised

He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.

In craftsmanship

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In building

Zechariah 4:6 NIV - Anglicised

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

The Holy Spirit inspires

Prophecy

2 Chronicles 24:20 NIV - Anglicised

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ ”

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Teaching

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Praise

2 Samuel 23:1–2 NIV - Anglicised

These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

A declaration of allegiance

1 Chronicles 12:18 NIV - Anglicised

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

Examples of the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s activity

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Examples of grieving the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 63:10 NIV - Anglicised

Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

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Promises of the Holy Spirit for the future

The Spirit and the Messiah

Isaiah 11:2 NIV - Anglicised

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—

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The outpouring of the Spirit

Joel 2:28–29 NIV - Anglicised

“And afterwards, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

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