I am sure many of us are not familiar with this topic. All of us are familiar with the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament but not his work in the Old Testament. Let us see how the Spirit of God was active in the Old Testament time?.

The Holy Spirit in creation

Genesis 1:2 says, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. “
Why is it said here “ the Spirit of God was hovering”? The earth was in a condition that no life could exist. Hovering means the Holy Spirit was preparing the earth before God would command life to origin. The Holy Spirit was moving upon the surface of water and releasing his power (Like a mother bird, hovering or fluttering over her young in a vibrant, protective way).

Many debate because the Hebrew word used here in place of the “spirit” is “Ruach”. Which means “breath/air”. However  scholars say Ruach has different interpretations. It depends on the context. Here the term refers to The Holy Spirit.

His work upon the believers of Old Testament.

The Holy Spirit came upon three classes of people

1.1 Priests, who offered sacrifices and taught the Law.
1.2 Prophets, who performed miracles and prophesied.
1.3 Judges/Kings, who judged and rule God’s people.

1.1 Priests, who offered sacrifices and taught the Law.

The Holy Spirit’s power upon the priesthood of the Old Testament was real. He guided them to use their gifts for the work in the house of the Lord. And Aaron the first who was anointed by God as a priest was anointed with oil thus symbolizing the Holy Spirit coming upon him (Leviticus 8:12).

1.2 Prophets, who performed miracles and prophesied.

The works of the Holy Spirit is significant in the book of Exodus, and in the life of Moses. The Bible calls him the greatest Prophet who ever lived (Deuteronomy 34:10). The Bible also says that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Moses became the greatest prophet (Numbers 11:16,17).

And also in the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah did wonders before the eyes of men with the power of the Holy Spirit who was upon him (1 Kings 18:46). Then Elisha  of Elijah’s successor asked Elijah asked for a double portion of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and it was granted.

1.3    Judges/Kings, to judge and rule the people.

Samson did wonders through the anointing of God’s Spirit. The book of Judges says the Spirit of God came upon Samson (Judges 13:25). The Bible also speaks about God’s power upon the life of Samson (Judges 14:19-20, Judges 15:13-20, Judges 16:3-21, Judges 16:28-29) and even how the Spirit left Samson (Judges 16:19)!

The spirit of the Lord was upon Othneil also. He judged and ruled Israel from the wisdom of the Holy Spirit . He was delivered Israel from a northern Mesopotamian or Aramean conqueror (Judges 3:10).

Then the Spirit was active upon the Kings of Israel. It was the custom of those days to anoint the chosen king with oil. This involved a priest pouring a specially prepared oil on the head of a candidate and rubbing it. This was a physical indicator of the Holy Spirit coming and dwelling upon the person chosen to be the king.

The Bible says the spirit of God came and started to dwell upon David as soon as Samuel anointed him as the king (1 Samuel 16:13). Since that day the Holy Spirit worked in and through him preparing him to lead Israel in future. Unlike Saul David was a king filled with the Holy Spirit.  David after confessing his sin with Bathsheba earnestly appealed to God  not to take the Holy Spirit away (Psalm 51:11).