The Spirit Promised to All

John tells us that at the feast the Holy Spirit “was not yet given” (John 7:39). But the Spirit was at work long before that. In Old Testament times, He came upon certain people to do certain jobs for God.

A builder. God chose a craftsman named Bezalel to make the tabernacle and everything in it. Moses said that God “has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 35:31).

Help for Moses. Moses was worn out from leading so many people. God told him, “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them” (Numbers 11:17). Seventy elders were chosen to help Moses carry the load.

The Spirit rested on them. “When the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again” (Numbers 11:25). God gave them what they needed for the job He gave them.

Strength for a judge. When Samson was tied up and his enemies came at him, “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire” (Judges 15:14).

Leaders in Judges. The book of Judges says the Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel, Gideon and Jephthah when God sent them to rescue Israel (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29).

A young king. When Samuel poured oil on David's head, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).

The Spirit could leave. The very next verse says, “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14). Years later, after David sinned, he begged God not to take His Holy Spirit away from him (Psalm 51:11).

Only a few. In those days the Spirit came upon a leader, a prophet or a builder for a special task. Most of God's people did not have the Spirit living in them.

The same Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, and He has always been at work. What would change was who would receive Him and how long He would stay.

The Spirit on Jesus. When Jesus began to preach, He read from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” (Luke 4:18). Jesus Himself did His work in the power of the Spirit.

What we learn. God has always given His Spirit to help His people do His work. Nobody can serve God in his own strength.

What to do. Before you do a job for God this week, like helping at home, praying for a friend or telling someone about Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

For hundreds of years, only a few people had the Spirit come upon them. But God had a bigger plan. He would give His Spirit to all of His people.

Two men in the camp. When the Spirit came on the seventy elders, two men named Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp. Joshua said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” (Numbers 11:28).

Moses' wish. Moses answered, “Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29). Moses wanted every one of God's people to have the Spirit.

A promise through Joel. Later God promised, “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28). All flesh means all kinds of people: young and old, men and women.

A promise through Isaiah. God also promised to pour water on the thirsty and to pour His Spirit on the children of His people (Isaiah 44:3).

Not yet. John explains that at the time of the feast the Spirit “was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39). The promise was close, but it was not time yet.

Better that I go. On the night before the cross, Jesus told His disciples it was good for them that He was going away. If He did not go, the Helper would not come to them (John 16:7).

The cross opened the way. Paul wrote that Jesus took the curse of our sin on Himself, “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).

The day it came. After Jesus rose and went back to heaven, the Holy Spirit came on His followers at Pentecost. Peter told the crowd, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16).

Moses' wish came true. Now the Spirit is not only for leaders and prophets. He lives in every person who believes in Jesus, young or old.

He stays. The Spirit left Saul, but Paul wrote that everyone who believes is sealed with the Holy Spirit, God's promise that we belong to Him (Ephesians 1:13-14). He does not come and go.

For young and old. Joel said, “Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). Nobody is too young or too old for God's Spirit.

What we learn. God kept a promise that was hundreds of years old. The Holy Spirit is a gift for every believer, not a prize for a few.

What to do. If you trust Jesus, thank God today that His Spirit lives in you. If you have not trusted Jesus yet, you can come to Him and receive this gift.