Spirit of God ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֑ים

We are in chapter thirty one of Exodus with our word for today which is a phrase. ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֑ים Spirit of God. It is used 16 times in the Old Testament. We find our phrase at the very beginning with creation. Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Our phrase is used in the sense to understand things that no one else can know. Genesis 41:25, 33, 37-39 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. Our phrase is used to empower one to prophesy. 1 Samuel 10:9-11 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” Our phrase is used in the sense of being given boldness to proclaim God’s word. 2 Chronicles 15:1-3 ר֥וּחַ אֱלֹהִֽים The Spirit of God came upon Azariah ... he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֗ים Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’” Our phrase is used in the sense of having wisdom, skill and ability to accomplish a special project which is the tabernacle worship. This is how our phrase is used in our chapter today. Exodus 31:1-5 The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with ר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֑ים the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. This is repeated in Exodus 35:31. This idea of being empowered and equipped by God’s spirit to serve God and accomplish his work is continued into the New Testament. Notice these verses are also building God’s temple but the temple is now believers not a physical structure. Romans 8:9, 14 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him … For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. This next passage equates the Spirit of God with the Holy Spirit. So we know they are the one and the same. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. I’ll close with this great passage that has the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God together as the Holy Spirit of God. Notice in this context what God wants to produce in and through believers who are God’s new temple. Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.