An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God

Wilf Hildebrandt carefully explores the meaning of “the Spirit” in the Old Testament. He examines the role of God’s Spirit in creation, in the establishment and preservation of God’s people, in prophecy, and in Israel’s leadership. He unveils the central role that the Spirit plays in creatively bringing about the directives of God. Through the Spirit, God brings order out of chaos, ushers the invisible into reality, makes a separation between the sacred and the profane, enables specific people to meet particular needs, and supersedes natural laws. This work sheds light on the Spirit of God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Wilf Hildebrandt Carefully Explores The Meaning Of The Spirit In The Old Testament. He Examines The Role Of God's Spirit In Creation, In The Establishment And Preservation Of God's People, In Prophecy, And In Israel's Leadership. He Unveils The Central Role That The Spirit Plays In Creatively Bringing About The Directives Of God. Through The Spirit, God Brings Order Out Of Chaos, Ushers The Invisible Into Reality, Makes A Separation Between The Sacred And The Profane, Enables Specific People To Meet Particular Needs, And Supersedes Natural Laws. This Work Sheds Light On The Spirit Of God In Both The Old Testament And The New Testament. 1. The Semantic Range Of Ruah In The Hebrew Canon -- Origins And Comparisons -- Chronological Development -- Ruah As Wind In The Law, The Prophets, And The Writings -- The Ruah In Relation To Humankind In The Law, The Prophets, And The Writings -- Ruah As The Spirit Of God 2. The Spirit Of God In Creation -- Genesis 1: The Context -- Genesis 1:2: Philological And Syntactical Analysis -- The Dove As A Symbol Of The Spirit -- The Creator In Isaiah 40:13 -- Creation By Word And Spirit: Psalm 33:6 -- The Role Of Wisdom Personified In Creation: Proverbs 1:23 -- Victory Over Chaos: Job 26:13 -- The Presence Of God In The Sanctuary -- The Nature Of The Spirit's Role In The Creation Of Humankind -- Blessing And Spirit -- Water As A Symbol Of The Spirit Of God 3. The Spirit And God's People -- The Establishment Of God's People: Introduction -- The Pillar Of Cloud And Of Fire -- The Preservation Of God's People: Introduction -- The Judgment Of Humankind: Genesis 6:3 -- The Spirit As Person -- The Restoration Of God's People 4. The Spirit Of God In Israel's Leadership -- The Spirit And Joseph: Genesis 41:38 -- The Spirit And Bezalel And Oholiab -- The Spirit And Moses -- The Spirit And Joshua -- Leadership By The Spirit Democratized -- The Spirit And The Charismatic Leadership Of The Judges -- The Spirit And The Leadership Of The Kings -- The Spirit And The Leadership Of The Messiah -- The Spirit And The Leadership Of The Prophets -- The Spirit And The Leadership Of The Priests -- Charismatic Leadership 5. The Spirt Of God In Prophecy -- Prophecy In The Ancient Near East -- The Rise Of Prophecy In Israel -- Moses And The Seventy Elders: Numbers 11:25 -- Ecstatic Prophecy And The Spirit -- Balaam: Numbers 22:1-24:25 -- The Spirit And The Power Of The Prophetic Word -- Is Saul Among The Prophets? -- The Spirit Of God And The Spirit Of Yahweh -- David The Prophet: 2 Samuel 23:2 -- Elijah And Elisha: 1 Kings 17-2 Kings 9 -- Micaiah And Prophetic Conflict: 1 Kings 22 -- True And False Prophecy -- Ezekiel: Prophet Of The Spirit -- Prophet Of Righteousness: Micah 2:7 6. Pneumatological Reflections -- The Spirit Of God In Creation And Temple Building -- The Spirit Of God In The Creation Of Humankind And In The Conception Of God's Son -- The Spirit And God's People In The Nt -- The Spirit Of God And Leadership -- The Spirit Of God And Prophecy -- The Spirit Of God And Miracles. Wilf Hildebrandt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [209]-224) And Indexes.