The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

By Pastor Rock LaGioia

What were the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? How do they differ from His ministries in the New Testament?

One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was selective indwelling. In Genesis 41, we read of Pharaoh’s unusual dreams. Pharaoh called together all of the magicians and wise men of Egypt. To Pharaoh’s surprise there was no one who could interpret them – except Joseph. After hearing Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams,

“Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has informed you of all this, there is no so discerning and wise as you are’” (Gen. 41:38-39).

Despite the rampant idolatry of the Egyptians, Pharaoh recognized that the Spirit of God was indwelling Joseph.

In the face of imminent death, Moses prayed for a new leader.

“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and commission him in their sight’” (Numbers 27:18-19).

Joshua was indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Like Joseph, Daniel possessed the supernatural ability to correctly interpret dreams. Daniel is described as one who is indwelt by

“a spirit of the holy gods” (Daniel 4:8b).

Another possible translation is “the spirit of the holy God.” The Holy Spirit dwelled in Daniel.

Was the Spirit’s ministry of indwelling enjoyed by all old Testament believers? No. The ministry of indwelling was not universally experienced. But, in the New Testament era, the Spirit’s indwelling ministry was and is for all believers.

“But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9b).

Was the Spirit’s ministry of selective indwelling permanent for the Old Testament believer? Not necessarily. David prayed,

“Do not cast me away from Thy presence and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me” (Psalms 51:11).

For the New Testament believer, indwelling is permanent. Jesus said in John 14:16-17,

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.”

The Other Old Testament ministry of the Holy Spirit was empowerment for service. This ministry was a sovereign act of God’s Spirit whereby He supernaturally enabled the believer to perform a special activity for a time.

Describing Bezalel, the Lord said to Moses,

“And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stone for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship” (Exodus 31:3-5).

Bezalel’s natural abilities were awakened and energized by the Holy Spirit.

After being in bondage to the king of Mesopotamia for eight years, the sons of Israel cried to the Lord. As a result,

“….the Lord raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenza, Caleb’s younger brother. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the Lord gave Cushan-rishatham king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim” (Judges 3:9-10).

God’s Spirit aroused and impelled Othniel to govern and rally the people for battle during a time of national crisis.

Gideon experienced the Holy Spirit’s ministry of empowerment.

“Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east assembled themselves; and they croseed over and camped in the valley of Jezreel. So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him” (Judges 6:33-34).

“Called in this sudden emergency into the public service of his country, Gideion was supernaturally endowed with wisdom and energy commensurate with the magnitude of the danger and the difficulties of his position” (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, A Commentary vol 1, pg. 90).

On the eve of a battle, Jephthah was empowered for service.

“Now the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead…” (Judges 11:32).

Jephthah was enabled by the Holy Spirit to lead his troops to victory.

Samson’s experience demonstrates that the Spirit’s empowerment for service is temporary.

“And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson mightily, so that he tore the young lion as one tears a kid though he had nothing in his hand…” (Judges 14:6).

Trying to entice Samson to see where his strength lies, Delilah gave the prearranged cue to the Philistines.

“And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon young Samson!’ And Samson awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that eh Lord had departed from him” (Judges 16:20).

The same Spirit that had empowered Samson to tear the young lion, had later departed from Samson.

Samuel prophesied of King Saul,

“Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man” (1 Samuel 10:6).

“Then it happened when Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them” (1 Samuel 10:9-10).

After enjoying the Spirit’s empowering ministry, Saul was later to lose it.

“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul…” (1 Samuel 16:14).

When Samuel anointed David king,

“…the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward…” (1 Samuel 16:13b).

But as we have seen, David feared the very real possibility that he might forfeit the Spirit’s working in his life (Psalms 51:11). The New Testament believer risks the same possibility. We have observed previously that the Spirit’s indwelling ministry is permanent for the born again Christian. However, Paul commands us in Ephesians 5:18,

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Paul is referring to a repeated experience whereby the Spirit of God takes control of our thought process and consequent actions – much as alcohol takes control of the alcoholic. We are to be continually filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit. When we are in sin (as David was after sinning with Bathsheba), we inhibit the Spirit’s working in our lives. When we are controlled by sin, we are not controlled by the Spirit and vice-versa.

Have you experienced the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit? If so, praise the Lord because the Spirit’s indwelling is permanent! If not, confess your sins t Jesus Christ. Ask Him to forgive of all of your sins. Ask God to send His Spirit to change you and indwell you forever. Christian, is your life controlled by the Holy Spirit? If so, thank Him for the joy and peace He gives! If Not, confess your sins, turn from them and yield yourself totally to Him so that He may have free reign over your thoughts and actions. Praise God for the gracious ministries of His Holy Spirit!