We continue our study of the Spirit of God. Last week, we focused attention on the ministry of the Spirit of God among the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. As it is among believers today, the Spirit of God dwelt in the midst of his people Israel.
The question then comes to mind, "How or in what manner did the Spirit of God dwell in Israel's midst?"
In Nehemiah's prayer, after the wall around Jerusalem was completed, and the people were celebrating the Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, in praise to the Lord, he says, "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them..." (Nehemiah 9:20). It would seem that it was by the Spirit that rested upon Moses, that the "good Spirit" instructed the people of Israel.
In addition to instructing the people, the Spirit of God at times filled some with strength, courage and might. Sometimes the Spirit moved upon individuals to equip them with skills of design and craftmanship.
More could be said on this, but all of the working of the Spirit of God presented in the Hebrew Scriptures was for the purpose of pointing us toward Israel's Messiah upon whom the Spirit would reside without measure.
Isaiah writes of Messiah that He is the one upon whom the seven-fold fullness of the Spirit would rest. He states: "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:2).
And lastly, in Isaiah 61:1 it is the Spirit of the Lord who empowers Messiah to fulfill His redemption ministry. He states: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, 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."
Whether in the Hebrew Scriptures or in the New Covenant Scriptures, the work of the Spirit of God is to draw attention away from Himself, and unto Messiah. However He manifested himself among Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, it was for the purpose of providing the Chosen People with a picture of the One they were to look for who would bring to fruition all promises made to them.
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/1wRZEp9t52Y
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