What other biblical figures were empowered by the Spirit for God's mission? Gideon’s Call and Clothing by the Spirit “So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the ram’s horn, and the Abiezrites rallied behind him.” – Judges 6:34 Gideon isn’t an isolated case. Scripture repeatedly shows God clothing ordinary people with His Spirit to accomplish extraordinary assignments. Other Judges Empowered • Othniel – “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel.” (Judges 3:10) • Jephthah – “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah.” (Judges 11:29) • Samson – “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him” (Judges 14:6; 14:19; 15:14), giving supernatural strength. Leaders Before the Monarchy • Moses and the Seventy Elders – “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and put it upon them.” (Numbers 11:17, 25) • Joshua – “A man in whom is the Spirit.” (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9) Artisans for Worship • Bezalel – “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and craftsmanship.” (Exodus 31:2-5; 35:30-35) God’s Spirit equips not only warriors and speakers but also artists who build places of worship. Kings Anointed to Rule • Saul – “The Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy… and be changed into another man.” (1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6) • David – “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.” (1 Samuel 16:13) Prophets Filled for Bold Witness • Micah – “I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and might.” (Micah 3:8) • Ezekiel – “The Spirit of the LORD set me on my feet.” (Ezekiel 3:24; 37:1) Restoration Leaders • Zerubbabel – “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD. (Zechariah 4:6) The rebuilding of the temple depended on Spirit-empowered perseverance, not human muscle. Forerunner and Messiah • John the Baptist – “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15) • Jesus – “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1; cf. 4:14; Acts 10:38) The Early Church Continues the Pattern • Pentecost – “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.” (Acts 2:4) • Peter – “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” (Acts 4:8) • Stephen – “A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5; 7:55) • Paul – “Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 13:9) Key Takeaways • From craftsmen to kings, judges to prophets, and from Israel’s earliest leaders to the newborn church, God’s Spirit empowers His people for specific, God-given missions. • Judges 6:34 stands within a grand, unbroken storyline: whenever God calls, He supplies His Spirit, ensuring the task is accomplished “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” |
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