In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise – Ephesians 2:11

INTRODUCTION

Last week we studied two of the various ministries of the Holy Spirit.

1. His Ministry concerning the universe.
2. His ministry concerning the scriptures.

We continue our study on the ministries of the Holy Spirit. Please enjoy and share it with others!

1. HIS MINISTRY CONCERNING ISRAEL

He came upon Israel’s leaders. No less than sixteen Old Testament individuals are said to have experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

1. Upon Joseph

So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” – Genesis 41:38.

• Upon Moses

I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone. – Numbers 11:17

• Upon Joshua

The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. – Numbers 27:18.

• Upon Othniel

The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. – Judges 3:10.

• Upon Gideon

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. – Judges 6:34.

• Upon Jephthah

At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites. – Judges 11:29.

• Upon Samson

Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father’s home. – Judges 14:19.

• Upon Saul: After he was anointed king by Samuel and Just before his victory at Jabesh-gilead.

i) When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. – 1 Samuel 10:10.

ii) When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. – 1 Samuel 11:6

1. Upon David

Unlike Saul’s case, we are never told that the Holy Spirit departed from David. However, on one occasion David was afraid he might indeed withdraw himself. ‘So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.’ – 1 Samuel 16:13.

• Upon Elijah

I don’t know where the Spirit of the Lord may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the Lord since my youth. – 1 Kings 18:12.

• Upon Elisha

 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. – 2 Kings 2:15.

• Upon Ezekiel

As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me. – Ezekiel 2:2

• Upon Daniel

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. – Daniel 4:9.

• Upon Micah

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, – Micah 3:8

• Upon Azariah the prophet

The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. – 2 Chronicles 15:1

• Upon Zachariah the High Priest

Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’” – 2 Chronicles 24:20

2. He came upon Israel’s elders

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. – Numbers 11:25

• He came upon Israel’s tabernacle

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. – Exodus 40:34

• He came upon Israel’s Temple

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. – 1 Kings 8:10.

• He led Israel through the desert

You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. – Nehemiah 9:20

• He will come upon Israel during the tribulation

Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. – Revelation 7:2-4

7. He will come upon Israel during the millennium

Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.  I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” – Ezekiel 37:13-14.

Culled from Willmington’s Guide to the Bible

Stay blessed!

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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author