INTRODUCTION
Our appreciation of the Spirit's work will be greatly enhanced by surveying His activity in the Old Testament. Even as New Testatnentsaints, our sense of dependence upon God's Spirit increases as we view His manifold work in the lives of the Old Testament heroes of faith.
Another advantage of tracing this doctrine through both testaments is that the unity of God's Word is wonderfully revealed. While the Bible gives a "progressive revelation," yet Paul never contradicts Moses, but rather refers to him for confirmation of doctrine. Both Old and New Testament writers reveal the Spirit of God as the author of all good in man. I. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
References to God's Spirit are scattered throughout the Old Testament. While the doctrine of the Trinity may shine somewhat less brightly in the Old Testament, yet the personality and deity of the Spirit are revealed. In the first verse of the Bible (Genesis 1: 1), the Hebrew word for "God" is a plural word. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit is expressly mentioned. God also refers to Himself in the plural (Genesis 1:26, 11:7) and in at least one place the three persons of theTrinity are mentioned together (Isaiah 48:16). Many of the Spirit's titles are found in the Old Testament (Psalms 51:11, Zechariah 12:10, and Job 33:4). II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CREATION.
Many of God's works are attributed to all three persons of the Trinity. This we find is true in creation. While the Father and the Son are recognized in this work (Acts 4:24, John 1:3), yet the Spirit is in no wise excluded. A. He was active in the creation of the universe - Genesis 1:2, Isaiah 40:12-13, Job 26:13.
B. He was active in the creation of man - Job 33:4.
C. He is active in the preservation of nature - Psalms 104:10-30, Isaiah 40:7.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK IN SALVATION.
Since the fall of Adam, man has remained in an unchanged state of depravity. Apart from the gracious influence of God's Spirit there has never been a time when natural man could love, trust, or come to God. In every age the Spirit must convict (Genesis 6:3), quicken (Psalms 119:25), enlighten (Psalms 19:27), and turn the soul to God (Psalms 65:3-4). The Holy Spirit has always been the guide and instructor of God's people (Nehemiah 9:20).
The belief of some that Old Testament believers were without the Spirit must be rejected. While no one will deny that on the day of Pentecost a new dispensation of the Spirit was received (John 7:37-39, 14:16-17, Acts 1:8), yet it must be asserted that there has never been a child of God who was destitute of the Spirit. The flesh can never produce a saint (John 3:3-6, Romans 8:7-8). In Proverbs 1:23, (2) Wisdom promised to pour out her Spirit upon those who turned at her reproof. Even while Christ was emphasizing the future descent of the Spirit. He was careful to make it clear that the Holy Spirit was already dwelling with them (John 14:16-17).
Another error sometimes heard is the teaching that Old Testament saints might lose the Spirit. Some have used the case of Saul (I Samuel 16:14) to prove this teaching, but they are confusing the Spirit's work in salvation with His work in equipping men for service to God. The Ho1y Spirit comes upon and departs from men in many respects, but never in regard to salvation. To imply such would be to deny the security of God's people (Psalms 37:24.). IV. THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN REVELATION.
Just as Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would be our teacher, so the Spirit of God also taught the Old Testament saints. A. He inspired the prophets - II Samue1 23:2, Ezekiel 2:1-2, Micah 3:8.
B. He inspired the Old Testament Scriptures - II Peter 1:21, Acts 1:16.
C. He instructed God's people - Nehemiah 9:20.
V. SPECIAL GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT MANIFESTED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
A. Political gifts - Genesis 41:38, Numbers 11:25, 27:18. It was the Spirit of God who gave Israel her leaders.
B. Moral gifts.
1. Courage - Judges 6:34, 11:29.
2. Indignation - I Samuel 11:6.
C. Physical gifts.
1. Strength - Judges 14:6, 15:14.
2. Mechanical skill - Exodus 31:2-5.
All of this should teach us the meaning of Zechariah 4:6. Without God’s Spirit we can render no service unto God. VI. OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE SPIRIT.
While the Old Testament prophecies that concern Christ are often studied, let us not forget those which foretold of the coming and work of God's Spirit. A. Prophecies that concern the work of the Spirit during the earthly ministry of Christ - Isaiah 61:1-3.
B. Prophecies that concern the work of the Spirit during Christ's reign - Isaiah 11:1-9.
C. The prophecy of the Spirit's descent on the Day of Pentecost - Joel 2:28. [The author should mention that he does not consider Pentecost to be the complete fulfillment of this Scripture.]
D. Prophecies that concern the future work of the Holy Spirit with the Jews - Isaiah 44:2-3, Ezekiel 37:1-14, 39:28-29, Zechariah 12:10.
_____________ Note
2. Wisdom as personified in Proverbs, seems in the highest sense, to be no other than Jesus Christ. Compare Proverbs 1:23 with John 7:37-39. Study especially the last half of Proverbs chapter 8. Also carefully compare Luke 11:49 with Matthew 23:34.
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