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Writer's pictureJack Selcher

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament--Part Two

Updated: Nov 2


Jesus holding a staff in a field surrounded by sheep

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit lives within God’s people. In the Old Testament, He came upon them for some specific purpose. This is the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament—Part Two.


The Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel to equip him to be Israel’s judge and to win a war against Aram (Judges 3:10). The Spirit empowered Gideon to fight the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east (Judges 6:34). He came upon Jephthah to battle the Ammonites (Judges 11:29).


God’s Spirit still empowers spiritual leaders. He lives in them, but His power supply isn’t automatic. It’s by faith (Hebrews 11:6).


The Spirit stirred Samson while he lived in Mahaneh-dan (Judges 13:24–25) and came upon him powerfully to rip a lion’s jaws apart (Judges 14:6), to kill thirty men in Ashkelon (Judges 14:19), to snap ropes on his arms at Lehi (Judges 15:14), and to prophesy at Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:10).


We haven’t ripped a lion’s jaws apart. But God’s Spirit provides physical strength to serve Him (Colossians 1:29). He also endows us with specific strengths and abilities to accomplish His purposes (1 Corinthians 12).


The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully on David beginning with Samuel’s anointing him with olive oil. The Spirit spoke through him (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 23:2). After acknowledging his grievous sins, David begged God not to remove that Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11).


David asked God to lead him into His will and stable life through His Spirit (Psalm 143:10). Only those the Spirit leads can please God, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25 NLT). 


The Holy Spirit is God’s only certified guide for life. We must avoid all pretenders. There will be many.

Unexpectedly, the Spirit of God also came upon Saul and his men, and they prophesied (1 Samuel 19:20, 23). We don’t know what Saul and his men said, but we know much about what David said because we have many Psalms he wrote.


The Spirit came upon Amasai, one of David’s military leaders. He encouraged David with a pledge of loyal support and reminded him God was his helper (1 Chronicles 12:18).


The Spirit came on Azariah to deliver a message to King Asa, and the people of Judah and Benjamin. He told them to seek and not abandon God (2 Chronicles 15:1–2).


God’s Spirit still speaks to us. Through those who teach and preach His word, He encourages us to seek Him and warns us of the consequences of abandoning Him (2 Chronicles 24:20).


God’s Spirit taught the Israelites in the wilderness, provided them with food and water (Nehemiah 9:20), and later warned them through the prophets (Nehemiah 9:30).


The same Spirit who made the heavens beautiful still protects us against our enemies (Job 26:13). “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings” (Psalm 23:4–5 NLT).


He still provides food and water. “The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15–16 NLT).


He still warns us not to abandon Him. “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” (Hebrews 2:1–3 NLT). The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament--Part Three. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources 


See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com


God has empowered me to write “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength.” It’s a free devotional discipleship resource. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,400 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 4,491 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness


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