The OT portrays the Holy Spirit as being active in creation, in equipping individuals for skilled tasks and in inspiring prophecy and revelation.
The Holy Spirit as the presence of God
He is active in creation
Genesis 1:2 See also Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30
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.
He is present everywhere
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
His sovereignty
Isaiah 34:16 See also Ezekiel 36:27, Ezekiel 37:14
Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.
All life is dependent on the Spirit
Job 34:14–15 NIV footnote at verse 14. See also Genesis 6:3
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
He is present with God's people
Isaiah 63:11–14 See also Nehemiah 9:20; Haggai 2:5
Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.
The Holy Spirit equips individuals
For leadership
Judges 3:10 See also Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:25–29 The gift of prophecy was given temporarily to the elders in order to establish them as leaders of God's people; Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 6:34, Judges 11:29, Judges 13:25; 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 11:6, 1 Samuel 16:13
The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
In bringing revelation
Genesis 41:38–39 See also Daniel 4:8–9, Daniel 4:18, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 5:14
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
By empowering the prophet
Ezekiel 2:2, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 3:24, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:24, Ezekiel 43:5
By giving special strength
Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19, Judges 15:14
By guidance
In planning
In craftsmanship
Exodus 31:3–5, Exodus 35:31–35
In building
The Holy Spirit inspires
Prophecy
2 Chronicles 24:20 See also Numbers 24:2; 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 19:20, 1 Samuel 19:23; 2 Chronicles 15:1, 2 Chronicles 20:14; Isaiah 48:16; Ezekiel 11:5; Micah 3:8; 2 Peter 1:21
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
Teaching
Praise
A declaration of allegiance
Examples of the awareness of the Holy Spirit's activity
Examples of grieving the Holy Spirit
Isaiah 63:10 See also Genesis 6:3; 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalm 51:11, Psalm 106:33–48; Isaiah 30:1; Micah 2:7; Zechariah 7:12
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.
Promises of the Holy Spirit for the future
The Spirit and the Messiah
Isaiah 11:2 See also Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
The outpouring of the Spirit
Joel 2:28–29 See also Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 59:21; Ezekiel 36:27, Ezekiel 37:14, Ezekiel 39:29
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.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.