From the Old to the New
Under the old covenant the Spirit of God was not available to all as we will see it to be under the new covenant. In the old covenant God caused his spirit to rest on, among, with and in certain individuals in order to reveal his power and presence to his people. It was given to accomplish his purposes. The Spirit came upon individuals sometimes for a short duration of time and on others it would continue to dwell.
God was revealed to Pharaoh by the Spirit of God that was in his servant Joseph.
Gen 41:38-39 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you. WEB
- The God of Joseph was seen to be greater than all other gods.
Yahweh also revealed himself to Moses and to the people of Israel showing them that his hand was not too short to provide for them and to carry out his work by placing his spirit on those chosen to lead them.
Num 11:23-29 Yahweh said to Moses, Has Yahweh’s hand grown short? now shall you see whether my word shall happen to you or not. 24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh: and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the Tent. 25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. 26 But there remained two men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. 27 There ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? would that all Yahweh’s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them! WEB
- Moses desire was that all God’s people would experience and move in the Spirit of God. This would be available to all under the New Covenant.
His spirit was on those that were called to build the Tabernacle.
Ex 35:30-35 Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Yahweh has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; 32 and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in brass, 33 in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34 He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works. WEB
God reassured his people that they did not need to fear because his spirit was among them.
Hag 2:5 This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. Don’t be afraid.’ WEB
Neh 9:20 You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and didn’t withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst. WEB
The Spirit of Yahweh was on the Judges to deliver the children of Israel from their enemies.
Judg 6:34 But the Spirit of Yahweh came on Gideon; and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together after him. WEB (Judg 15:14-20)
God also placed his spirit on the kings so that they would be able to lead the people in the way that God desired.
1 Sam 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on David from that day forward. WEB (1 Sam 10:1-26)
God’s spirit was also on the prophets to speak forth his words with power and authority.
Ezek 11:5 The Spirit of Yahweh fell on me ( Ezekiel), and he said to me, Speak, Thus says Yahweh: Thus have you said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind. WEB
Mic 3:8 But as for me, I (Micah) am full of power by the Spirit of Yahweh And of judgment, and of might, To declare to Jacob his disobedience, And to Israel his sin. WEB
Then we have Zacharias the priest, the husband of Elizabeth, the father of John the Baptist being filled with the Holy Spirit and Elizabeth and John as well.
Luke 1:67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, WEB
Luke 1:41 It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. WEB
Luke 1:15 For he (John) will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. WEB
Isaiah prophesied of Jesus the Messiah with the Spirit of Yahweh on him with Great power and authority.
Isa 11:1-2 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, And a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him: The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. WEB
Isa 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. WEB (Lk 4:16-21)
The Prophesies of Christ is seen fulfilled in Matthew.
Matt 3:16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. WEB
Matt 12:18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations. WEB
God desires to move through and have communion with his redeemed. This is brought about by the giving of his spirit to us. God desires that we be filled with all his fullness. (Eph 3:19)
The work of Christ Jesus has made the access to the spirit of God available to all that will believe.
John 7:38-39 He who believes in me, (Jesus) as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified. WEB
Because Jesus was glorified we now have access to more of God’s power and presence. We only need to believe what he has said and reach out and take hold of the promise and receive of his spirit that he desires to pour out on us. God moved in marvelous ways in the old covenant by his spirit among his people but desires to move in even a greater way now by having his spirit to dwell and remain in us.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit-Part 2