Enlightenment for understanding. Old Testament view of God's Spirit; Job, Moses, Psalmist, Solomon and Ezekiel. Holy Spirit gives light and life. He generates and regenerates individuals and nations. He gives physical life to animals and men; He gives animal life that ceases at death; He gives spiritual life that never ends; He gives eternal life to believers. Know the Spirit.
Proper Understanding Requires Enlightenment...
The Bible writers were directed in what to say and how to say it. Their writings were infallible. They were Inspired, God Breathed in transmitting the message of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Although translators do not have the same Divine inspiration as Bible writers, a proper translation of the Bible requires either personal spiritual insight or enlightenment, or at least a reliance on those who have had enlightenment (dependence on other scholars for linguistics, history, theology and culture). Otherwise they will miss the spiritual implications and applications of a passage.
Likewise, those who read the Bible must be enlightened in our study of the word of God, in order to understand it correctly. Remember, Inspiration is what God gave to the writers of the Bible and Enlightenment is what He gives to humble, honest readers of the Bible, so that we will understand Divine meaning. Without Enlightenment we will not understand the Inspired Word because we will not have the, “mind of Christ”
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I believe there is a Divinely deliberate overlapping of spiritual and natural truths. The Hebrew word, “Ruach” is used in reference to wind, breath, spirit and life. The same term is sometimes used as a name or title for the “Spirit” of God. It takes more than a mastery of linguistics to rightly translate the word of God.
Proper Understanding Requires Enlightenment...
The Bible writers were directed in what to say and how to say it. Their writings were infallible. They were Inspired, God Breathed in transmitting the message of God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Although translators do not have the same Divine inspiration as Bible writers, a proper translation of the Bible requires either personal spiritual insight or enlightenment, or at least a reliance on those who have had enlightenment (dependence on other scholars for linguistics, history, theology and culture). Otherwise they will miss the spiritual implications and applications of a passage.
Likewise, those who read the Bible must be enlightened in our study of the word of God, in order to understand it correctly. Remember, Inspiration is what God gave to the writers of the Bible and Enlightenment is what He gives to humble, honest readers of the Bible, so that we will understand Divine meaning. Without Enlightenment we will not understand the Inspired Word because we will not have the, “mind of Christ”
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I believe there is a Divinely deliberate overlapping of spiritual and natural truths. The Hebrew word, “Ruach” is used in reference to wind, breath, spirit and life. The same term is sometimes used as a name or title for the “Spirit” of God. It takes more than a mastery of linguistics to rightly translate the word of God.
This ruach can be air, or animal spirit or human spirit or life or the Spirit of God. The word soul is sometimes understood as “life.” However, the loss of life is not the end of the soul, as the so-called Jehovah's Witnesses teach.
OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS...
I find it interesting, even fascinating, that Old Testament believers understood the Holy Spirit to be the giver of life.
JOB
Job, who probably lived about the time of Abraham (1800 years before Christ), enjoyed deep insight into Divine truth. He got his insights from two sources; the history/traditions passed to him from previous generations (Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah) who had witnessed and communicated the acts and teachings of God (both orally and written), and from his own encounter with the Holy Spirit, Who inspired Him. Though Job lived about 3800 years ago, Job made this statement concerning the raised and reigning Christ, still future to us today.
Job 19:23-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
This same Job stated that the source of his life was the Spirit of God, as a breath in his nostrils. This was obviously the way life and the invisible/eternal inner essence of man was described by God and the first generations of mankind.
Job 27:3
3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
Job 32:8
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.
Job 33:4
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Job understood that he derived his life from God, that he was more than flesh and blood, and that he would live after he died.
MOSES...
Moses, the great Law-Giver, who is one of the most important men in all of history, restated Job's point of view in the book of Genesis. While Job predates Moses, Moses transmitted God's official record of creation. In that record Moses explains the origin of human life;
Genesis 2:7
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God must have communicated this truth to Adam, and Adam to succeeding generations, until we find it quoted by Job and eventually Moses himself. From Moses we see that Adam was created as a living, spiritually based creature and from Job we see that each man since creation owes his own spiritual nature and life to the presence of God's Spirit in his life.
Take note of the continuity of spiritual awareness from Adam to Job and then to Moses. They were all aware of the Spirit of God as an active and influential Person in their lives. While they did not understand the Trinitarian doctrine, they did understand that the Holy Spirit is God and they lived in the light of that realization.
THE PSALMIST...
The Psalmist, whether David or someone else under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,
Psalms 33:6
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Not only does the spirit of man derive its existence and sustenance from God, so too, the Starry Universe. In fact, in this passage we see that the “word of the LORD” created the heavens. This links the creative work of the Holy Spirit with the creative work of Jesus, the Son of God, Who is also known as, “The Word Of God.”
John 1:1-3, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Another thing to notice in this Psalm is the power of God to create, to bring into existence whatever He wills. This gives us comfort and hope. We can rest in the assurance that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4); we can cast all of our care upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Pe. 5:7). If He can speak the starry universe into existence (He. 11:3), He can and will do all things necessary for our life and godliness (Ro. 8:28, 32; 2 Pe. 1:3).
SOLOMON...
Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, commented on this subject as well.
Ecclesiastes 3:21
21 Who knows the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth?
Solomon, a scientist and philosopher, pointed out that there is a difference in the animal life and the human life imparted by the breath of the Spirit of God. At death, the spirit or life force of the human moves into a spiritual realm and when an animal dies, its life force is gone.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
In this passage, Solomon is more explicit and dogmatic concerning the eternal destiny of the eternal spirit of man. The New Testament writer of the book of Hebrews said,
Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
After death every person will give account of itself and the life it spent on earth. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), having received the ability to live forever and the ability to choose our own allegiance and destiny. However, it is because of these two traits man has the great responsibility to make the right choices in life.
Hebrews 2:3
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
EZEKIEL...
Ezekiel, more than 600 years before Christ, foretold the end times restoration of Israel. Ezekiel preached the prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones to announce that God raise Israel as a nation, from the dead, and restore it to a place of importance.
Israel would cease to exist as a nation in 70 AD, yet 1900 years later Israel would be re-established and take its place among the nations of the world. Twenty five hundred years after Ezekiel's prophecy, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu referred to this passage, pointing out that God has raised it from the dead.
While we may say that the sinews, the fat and muscle, and the skin have been restored to the bones of a dead Israel, God has not yet breathed spiritual vitality or eternal life into Israel. This will happen when Israel calls upon and receives Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This will take place during the seven year tribulation period.
Ezekiel 37:6
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
OLD TESTAMENT UNDERSTANDING...
If Old Testament believers understood the life giving power of the Holy Spirit, then Christians should live in the light of that power. The truth of the Holy Spirit giving life and light is recorded in the Law and the Prophets; in the Law, the History, the poetic and the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The Person and work of the Holy Spirit was understood by Job, Moses, the Palmist, Solomon and Ezekiel. Christians should have as much knowledge and power as they had, but very few spend time with the Holy Spirit; very few are spiritually oriented.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY, TAKE TIME TO BE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OLD TESTAMENT WITNESS...
I find it interesting, even fascinating, that Old Testament believers understood the Holy Spirit to be the giver of life.
JOB
Job, who probably lived about the time of Abraham (1800 years before Christ), enjoyed deep insight into Divine truth. He got his insights from two sources; the history/traditions passed to him from previous generations (Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah) who had witnessed and communicated the acts and teachings of God (both orally and written), and from his own encounter with the Holy Spirit, Who inspired Him. Though Job lived about 3800 years ago, Job made this statement concerning the raised and reigning Christ, still future to us today.
Job 19:23-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
This same Job stated that the source of his life was the Spirit of God, as a breath in his nostrils. This was obviously the way life and the invisible/eternal inner essence of man was described by God and the first generations of mankind.
Job 27:3
3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
Job 32:8
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.
Job 33:4
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Job understood that he derived his life from God, that he was more than flesh and blood, and that he would live after he died.
MOSES...
Moses, the great Law-Giver, who is one of the most important men in all of history, restated Job's point of view in the book of Genesis. While Job predates Moses, Moses transmitted God's official record of creation. In that record Moses explains the origin of human life;
Genesis 2:7
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God must have communicated this truth to Adam, and Adam to succeeding generations, until we find it quoted by Job and eventually Moses himself. From Moses we see that Adam was created as a living, spiritually based creature and from Job we see that each man since creation owes his own spiritual nature and life to the presence of God's Spirit in his life.
Take note of the continuity of spiritual awareness from Adam to Job and then to Moses. They were all aware of the Spirit of God as an active and influential Person in their lives. While they did not understand the Trinitarian doctrine, they did understand that the Holy Spirit is God and they lived in the light of that realization.
THE PSALMIST...
The Psalmist, whether David or someone else under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said,
Psalms 33:6
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Not only does the spirit of man derive its existence and sustenance from God, so too, the Starry Universe. In fact, in this passage we see that the “word of the LORD” created the heavens. This links the creative work of the Holy Spirit with the creative work of Jesus, the Son of God, Who is also known as, “The Word Of God.”
John 1:1-3, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Another thing to notice in this Psalm is the power of God to create, to bring into existence whatever He wills. This gives us comfort and hope. We can rest in the assurance that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4); we can cast all of our care upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Pe. 5:7). If He can speak the starry universe into existence (He. 11:3), He can and will do all things necessary for our life and godliness (Ro. 8:28, 32; 2 Pe. 1:3).
SOLOMON...
Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, commented on this subject as well.
Ecclesiastes 3:21
21 Who knows the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth?
Solomon, a scientist and philosopher, pointed out that there is a difference in the animal life and the human life imparted by the breath of the Spirit of God. At death, the spirit or life force of the human moves into a spiritual realm and when an animal dies, its life force is gone.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
In this passage, Solomon is more explicit and dogmatic concerning the eternal destiny of the eternal spirit of man. The New Testament writer of the book of Hebrews said,
Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
After death every person will give account of itself and the life it spent on earth. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), having received the ability to live forever and the ability to choose our own allegiance and destiny. However, it is because of these two traits man has the great responsibility to make the right choices in life.
Hebrews 2:3
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
EZEKIEL...
Ezekiel, more than 600 years before Christ, foretold the end times restoration of Israel. Ezekiel preached the prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones to announce that God raise Israel as a nation, from the dead, and restore it to a place of importance.
Israel would cease to exist as a nation in 70 AD, yet 1900 years later Israel would be re-established and take its place among the nations of the world. Twenty five hundred years after Ezekiel's prophecy, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu referred to this passage, pointing out that God has raised it from the dead.
While we may say that the sinews, the fat and muscle, and the skin have been restored to the bones of a dead Israel, God has not yet breathed spiritual vitality or eternal life into Israel. This will happen when Israel calls upon and receives Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This will take place during the seven year tribulation period.
Ezekiel 37:6
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
OLD TESTAMENT UNDERSTANDING...
If Old Testament believers understood the life giving power of the Holy Spirit, then Christians should live in the light of that power. The truth of the Holy Spirit giving life and light is recorded in the Law and the Prophets; in the Law, the History, the poetic and the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The Person and work of the Holy Spirit was understood by Job, Moses, the Palmist, Solomon and Ezekiel. Christians should have as much knowledge and power as they had, but very few spend time with the Holy Spirit; very few are spiritually oriented.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY, TAKE TIME TO BE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
