Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: Israelites

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The Holy Spirit, as understood within the context of the Israelites, plays a significant role throughout the Old Testament, manifesting in various ways to guide, empower, and communicate God's will to His chosen people. The Spirit's presence is seen as an extension of God's power and presence among the Israelites, often working through individuals to accomplish divine purposes.

Creation and Early Manifestations

The Holy Spirit is first introduced in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." This depiction of the Spirit as active in creation establishes its foundational role in the divine order.

Empowerment of Leaders and Judges

Throughout the history of Israel, the Holy Spirit is depicted as empowering leaders and judges to fulfill God's purposes. In the Book of Judges, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon individuals to deliver Israel from oppression. For example, Judges 6:34 notes, "So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him." Similarly, the Spirit empowers Samson, as seen in Judges 14:6 : "The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat."

Prophetic Inspiration

The Holy Spirit is also closely associated with the prophetic office in Israel. Prophets were often moved by the Spirit to deliver God's messages to the people. In 1 Samuel 10:6 , the Spirit's transformative power is evident when Samuel tells Saul, "Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person." The Spirit's role in prophecy underscores its function as a conduit for divine communication.

Guidance and Wisdom

The Spirit of God is also portrayed as a source of wisdom and guidance. In Exodus 31:3 , God fills Bezalel with the Spirit to equip him for the craftsmanship of the Tabernacle: "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship." This endowment of the Spirit enables Bezalel to execute the intricate designs required for the sacred space.

The Spirit in the Monarchy

During the period of the monarchy, the Holy Spirit continues to play a crucial role. The anointing of kings is often accompanied by the Spirit's presence. In 1 Samuel 16:13 , when Samuel anoints David, it is recorded, "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." This anointing signifies divine approval and empowerment for leadership.

The Promise of a New Covenant

The prophets also speak of a future outpouring of the Spirit, which would mark a new covenant between God and His people. Joel 2:28-29 prophesies, "And afterward, 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 menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days." This promise anticipates a time when the Spirit's presence would be more universally experienced among God's people.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit's interaction with the Israelites is multifaceted, encompassing creation, empowerment, prophecy, wisdom, and the anticipation of a new covenant. Through these manifestations, the Spirit serves as a vital link between God and His people, facilitating His divine will and presence among them.

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Numbers 14:26-45
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
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Deuteronomy 1:42
And the LORD said to me, Say to them. Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest you be smitten before your enemies.
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Deuteronomy 28:15-68
But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command you this day; that all these curses shall come on you, and overtake you:
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Deuteronomy 31:17,18
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come on us, because our God is not among us?
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Library

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament Other than in the Old.
... Israelites were saved. Hence they must have received saving grace. And since saving
grace is out of the question without an inward working of the Holy Spirit, ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxv the holy spirit in.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... I don't believe God the Holy Spirit ever intended men to publish three months ... hour
what he shall speak, and look for his sermons, as the Israelites looked for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the work of the holy.htm

The Aforesaid Unity is Proved Hereby, that as the Father is Said ...
... Ambrose infers from this that the Israelites were guided into the promised land
by the same Spirit, and that ... in his Epistle: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii the aforesaid unity.htm

Jesus the Christ.
... Every morning whilst the Israelites were gathered in the temple courts ... it was in
harmony with the spirit of the ... in it a type of the effusion of the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus the christ.htm

Proof of the Absurdity of the Refusal to Glorify the Spirit, from ...
... good." [1189] There is moreover a special and peculiar glory for Israelites "to
whom ... not whether any one who has been partaker of the Holy Spirit will consent ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxiv proof of the.htm

He Proceeds to Discuss the views Held by Eunomius
... they provoked God in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert [470] ," the
apostle refers to the Holy Spirit the despite done by the Israelites to God, in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 14 he proceeds to.htm

The Blessing and the Curse.
... and might send from thence on us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit ... To that Spirit we owe
all that is truly noble ... if we say, as Moses warned the Israelites they would ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxiv the blessing and.htm

From all Thy Saints in Warfare, for all Thy Saints at Rest
... Whom underneath the fig tree thine eye all-seeing knew. Like him may we be guileless,
true Israelites indeed,. ... And God the Holy Spirit, eternal Three in One; ...
/.../holy days general for saints.htm

Eldad and Medad
... Though the Israelites had been only slaves there, they would doubtless be familiar ...
of Divine truth, who has experienced the graces of the Holy Spirit, and who ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

Introduction
... It could not be realized before the redemptive work of Christ was done and the Holy
Spirit came. The Israelites occupied a different position toward the law ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm