Holy Spirit Indwelling Old Testament Saints
Who says that the Holy Spirit did not indwell anyone in Old Testament times before the cross?
The following passages show some examples of men who had the Holy Spirit in them (in means “indwelling”, not just “on” which is the temporary anointing upon a person that lifts after the Spirit has completed His purpose).
Joseph had the Spirit of God in him:
“And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.” (Genesis 41:38-39 NKJV)
Joshua had the Spirit of God in him (The Lord said so):
“And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight.” (Numbers 27:18-19 NKJV)
Daniel had the Spirit of God in him:
“But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.” (Daniel 4:8-9 NKJV)
Now, before you say that Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar are not trustworthy sources because they were pagans, do not forget that God uses rulers as mouthpieces sometimes—even those who did not have true faith in Him. An example would be Caiaphas the High Priest who kept on resisting Jesus:
“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” (John 11:49-52 NKJV)
Jesus said that those who don’t believe or heed His words are not of God, but of their father, the devil. Caiaphas may have held the office of high priest, but he was not a true believer in Yahweh since he kept opposing Jesus.
This makes him no holier than Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar.
It is interesting to note also that God called Nebuchadnezzar His servant, and later on, Nebuchadnezzar did place his faith in Yahweh.
“And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.” (Jeremiah 27:6 NKJV)
The Holy Spirit cannot indwell a defiled spirit that is dead in sin. Since He was able to indwell Joseph, Joshua, and Daniel, this means that Jesus’ blood at the cross has always been effective to cleanse people from their sins. There were vessels fit for the Holy Spirit even in Old Testament times.
It was just God’s mystery hidden from the world, until the right time came to proclaim this truth openly. Some Old Testament saints tapped into this truth unknowingly, and received the benefits of God’s grace.
Consider how Enoch and Elijah, two men who lived before the cross, were able to be received into Heaven. They have never died and are still alive there. How can they have sin in them and be accepted in Heaven? They must have already been cleansed from their sins.
Read my article and understand much more about how the cross has been a finished work ever since before the foundation of the world: https://ko-fi.com/post/The-Cross-Finished-Before-the-Foundation-of-the-W-Y8Y41VVJK
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