Introduction

When studying the ministry and giftings of the Holy Spirit, believers are generally directed to the writings of the New Testament, namely 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Having grown up in the Pentecostal church, it has been a common experience to hear both teaching and preaching on the giftings of the Spirit as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. However, it is sad to say that there has been little attention to the giftings of the Spirit that are expressed in the Old Testament writings. One such writing is found in Isaiah 11 as the prophet speaks about the coming Messiah and the anointing of the Spirit that will be upon Him. Drawing from this passage in Isaiah, I would like to draw attention to the position of the Spirit, the gifting of the Spirit and the anointing of the Spirit. Within these three key aspects there is great insight for believers concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Such insight should not only inform the believer, but it should also bring hope and encouragement to the believer as they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit.

The Position of the Spirit

When reading this section of scripture, the first item that sticks out is the position of the Spirit in relation to the promised Messiah. The opening of the second verse וְנָחָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֑ה literally translates, “And rest on he the Spirit of YHWH” and it prophetically proclaims that the Spirit of God will rest or set upon the coming Messiah. It is interesting to note that the only other time the image of the Spirit of God is shown as resting on an individual(s) is found in Numbers 11:25-26 and 2 Kings 2:15. While the Old Testament records many instances of individuals being anointed by the Spirit and/or the Spirit coming upon an individual, the use of the word נוח in conjunction with the Spirit (רוּחַ) is found only in these passages (Isaiah 11, Num. 11, and 2 Kings 2).

When comparing these passages together, it should be noted that there are a couple of differences in the circumstances and the imagery of the act of the Spirit resting upon individuals in these verses. In Numbers 11, God takes “some of the Spirit that was on him (Moses)” and places a portion of the Spirit upon the seventy elders of Israel. In 2 Kings 2, we see the image of the Spirit of Elijah resting on Elisha after Elijah is taken into heaven. In both instances we see the Spirit and the anointing that is upon an individual being transferred to another individual or individuals. However, when you read Isaiah 11, it is clear that there is no transfer of the Spirit of God from one individual to another, but rather, we see the Spirit of God directly resting or settling upon the coming Messiah. While there are similarities, there are also glaring differences.

When one moves to the New Testament, one finds the fulfillment of the first part of Isaiah 11:2 as the scriptures record the imagery of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and settling upon Jesus at His baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1).[1] From this setting, the scriptures are clear that Jesus begins His earthly ministry as He is led and empowered by the Spirit. It is through the anointing of the Spirit that Jesus performs the many miracles that will serve as amazing testimonies of His earthly ministry. Jesus serves as an example for not only Christian service, but also for an individual’s walk and operation under the anointing of the Spirit of God. When one reads the book of Acts, they will witness the Holy Spirit descending, settling upon, and directing the believers of the early church. Acts records the church as it follows the example set by Christ through the anointing of the Spirit. It is through the same anointing that the Apostle Paul is directed to write an epistle to the church at Corinth in which he will expound upon the gifts of the Spirit. Just as we read of the Spirit settling upon the prophesied Messiah in Isaiah 11, the Spirit of God will settle upon believers today for the empowerment of Christian service.

The Gifting of the Spirit

In 1 Corinthians 12:8-12 Paul gives a list of the gifts of the Spirit that and while it is not the only list found within the New Testament, it is the most extensive.[2] In it, Paul states that wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues are all giftings of the Spirit. When looking at this list, there are noticeable similarities with the list that is given in Isaiah 11. When considering this, it becomes clear that the prophecy given in Isaiah 11 is not just noting special attributes that only the Messiah will have. Rather, it reveals to us that these attributes are given to Him through the anointing of the Spirit and that by extension are available to those who make themselves available to the Holy Spirit. While we acknowledge that scripture is clear in that Christ is indeed God in the flesh, the second person of the Trinity, scripture is also clear that He was undeniably gifted by the Holy Spirit. When reflecting upon this line of thinking, it is even more evident that the qualities listed in Isaiah 11 are giftings of the Spirit and not just special messianic abilities.

Moving to the list of giftings in Isaiah 11:2, readers will see that the first item given, ר֧וּחַ חָכְמָ֣ה (The Spirit of wisdom), correlates with the first item listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:8, λόγος σοφίας (word of wisdom). In Hebrew, the word חָכְמָ֣ה is defined as wisdom and according to Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, it implies experience and shrewdness.[3] Vines states that this idea of wisdom, “is the knowledge and the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time.”^[4] The second item, בִּינָה (understanding), literally means to have knowledge and understanding, and it sits in correlation with Paul’s use of λόγος γνώσεως (word of knowledge) which implies skill, intelligence and wisdom.[5] Continuing with this verse, the next phrase ר֤וּחַ עֵצָה֙ וּגְבוּרָ֔ה (Spirit of council and might), speaks of the ability to advise, plan, and do so with might or valor of warriors.[6] While it does not directly correlate with rest of Paul’s list, one could argue that the remainder of Paul’s list could be covered within the context of “The Spirit of council and might.” Noting that Isaiah is prophetically speaking of the Messiah, it is extremely evident that Jesus did indeed walk and operate under the Spirit of council and might.

The final phrase given by Isaiah, ר֥וּחַ דַּ֖עַת וְיִרְאַ֥ת יְהוָֽה is literally translated as “The Spirit of knowledge and fear of YHWH.” According to the Word Biblical Commentary, the knowledge that is referred to here is a “true understanding and relation to God and His will.”[7] Greg Goswell states that knowledge as understood here, “indicates that the knowledge of YHWH means reverently obeying him.”[8] Goswell indicates that the anointed one (Christ) will rule in obedience to YHWH under the endowment of the Spirit of God.[9] Following Christ through the gospels, one will see that this is definitely the case. Looking at Christ earthly ministry as a whole, it is clear that Christ was anointed with wisdom, understanding, council, might, and He was fully obedient to the will of the Father. Following the example set by Christ, believers should also seek to be anointed by the Spirit so that they may fulfill the calling of Christ. It is only through the anointing of the Spirit that ministers are able to faithfully and wholly fulfill the will of God in any ministerial context. Through the power and giftings of the Spirit, individuals are enabled to effectively minister the gospel of Christ.

The Anointing of the Spirit

Although Isaiah’s prophecy is directly pointing to Christ, the revelation of the Spirit given in 11:2 is illuminating to believers today. As highlighted earlier, when comparing Isaiah 11:2 with Paul’s exhortation on the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, one can no doubt see the similarities. It is logical to assume that Paul, having extensive scriptural knowledge, drew from Isaiah 11 in his discourse on the gifts of the Spirit. William Wilder argues this fact and offers up that Paul even draws on Isaiah 11:2 in his prayer to the church at Ephesus that God would, “give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17, NRSV).[10] From this understanding, it is clear that the words recorded in Isaiah 11:2 are not isolated to a historical time period or bound to antiquity. The words recorded in Isaiah 11:2 stand shoulder to shoulder with Paul’s writings on the gifts of the Spirit and they both provide insight to the fact that the anointing of the Spirit is definitely available to believers today.

It is important to note the anointing of the Spirit was not just a “Kingly” Messianic prophecy, but it is rather given to all who will humble themselves and seek for the touch of the Spirit. Jesus makes this clear in Mark 10:39 when He replies to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and says, “with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized” (ESV). Also, in John 20:22, Jesus blew upon the disciples before He ascended into heaven so that they too would receive the Holy Spirit. After the fulfillment of Joel 2, as described in Acts 2, the followers of Christ were indeed baptized with the same Spirit that Christ was baptized with. It is from that moment forward, the church of the first century began to preform many of the same miracles that Christ preformed as they carried the gospel of Christ under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Such actions bring to fulfilment the words of Christ, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12, NKJV).

Before closing out this section, it is needful to comment on one subtle difference between Isaiah 11:2 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. When reading both passages, it is clear that Isaiah never identifies any limitations to the gifts of the Spirit upon Christ while Paul does express limits on the gifts of the Spirit upon believers. This difference and limit is expressed in Paul’s use of the words ἄλλος and ἕτερος (both translated “another”) 8 times in 1 Corinthians 8-10.[11] In vv. 11 Paul is clear that these gifts are distributed as the Spirit desires. Therefore, knowing that the distribution of gifts is the only notable difference between Isaiah 11:2 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, we are assured that the giftings listed in Isaiah 11:2 are applicable to Spirit filled believers today. While Christ operated in all of the gifts of the Spirit, Spirit filled believers today are anointed, gifted, and empowered as the Spirit sees fit in order to fulfill the task at hand.

Conclusion

In closing out this paper, I believe that it is needful to examine the potential that exist for the church today in light of the anointing of the Spirit. When we examine the ministry of Christ with our focus upon Isaiah 11:2, it is clear that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in every aspect of Christ’s ministry. It is important that we never make the mistake of marginalizing the Holy Spirit within the ministry of Christ in our understanding of the scriptures. It is also important that we do not make the grave mistake of marginalizing the Holy Spirit in our lives, our ministries, and our churches. Just as the Holy Spirit was at the forefront of Christ ministry, so much the more should He be at the forefront of all the ministries at the Church. Commenting on the role of the Spirit and believers, Clark Pinnock states, “There is a partnership in which the Spirit is the leading player and we are junior partners and instruments. It is God’s mission, and we are being caught up in it.”[12] If we are to fulfill the calling of God that is upon us, then we must allow the Spirit of God to rest upon us and empower us to complete the task that is at hand. Without the Spirit, we can accomplish nothing.

Bibliography

Abbott-Smith, G. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1922.

Arrington, French L. Encountering The Holy Spirit: Paths of Christian Growth and Service. Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 2003.

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. BRIGGS. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2018.

Goswell, Greg (Gregory Ross). “Messianic Expectation in Isaiah 11.” The Westminster Theological Journal 79, no. 1 (Spring 2017): 123–35.

Pinnock, Clark H. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1996.

Watts, John D. W.. Isaiah 1-33, Volume 24: Revised Edition. United States: Zondervan Academic, 2018.

Wilder, William N. “The Use (or Abuse) of Power in High Places: Gifts given and Received in Isaiah, Psalm 68, and Ephesians 4:8.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 20, no. 2 (2010): 185–99.

[1] French L. Arrington, Encountering The Holy Spirit: Paths of Christian Growth and Service (Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 2003), 118.

[2] Ephesians 4:7-13 and Romans 12:3-8 also record attributes of the Spirit.

[3] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 290.

^[4] Ibid., 291.

[5] George Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1922. Logos Bible Software.

[6] Francis BROWN, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. BRIGGS, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2018), 150.

[7] John D. W. Watts, Word Biblical Commentary: Isaiah 1-33, Volume 24: Revised Edition. United States: Zondervan Academic, 2018. Google Books, NP.

[8] Greg Goswell (Gregory Ross). “Messianic Expectation in Isaiah 11.” The Westminster Theological Journal 79, no. 1 (Spring 2017): 126.

[9] Ibid., 126-127.

[10] William N. Wilder, “The Use (or Abuse) of Power in High Places: Gifts given and Received in Isaiah, Psalm 68, and Ephesians 4:8.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 20, no. 2 (2010): 192.

[11] ἄλλος is used six times and ἕτερος is used twice.

[12] Clark H. Pinnock, Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 145.