Outline
i. Deity
ii. Personality
iii. Nature
iv. Transcendence
v. Office
vi. Possession by
vii. Empowering role
1. Preserver – gives power over sin
2. Revealer of truth – guide
3. Comforter
4. Seal
viii. Fruit of,
1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. goodness
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self-control
ix. Spiritual gifts
x. Baptism of
xi. Charismatic gifts
xii. Sin against, unforgivable sin
ii. Personality
iii. Nature
iv. Transcendence
v. Office
vi. Possession by
vii. Empowering role
1. Preserver – gives power over sin
2. Revealer of truth – guide
3. Comforter
4. Seal
viii. Fruit of,
1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. goodness
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self-control
ix. Spiritual gifts
x. Baptism of
xi. Charismatic gifts
xii. Sin against, unforgivable sin
Deity of the Holy Spirit
"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit ... You have not lied to men but to God.'" (Acts 5:3-4) The Holy Spirit is fully God, just as the Father and the Son are fully God. There is one God, and there are three persons within the essence of the one God. The Old and New Testament each ascribe divine attributes to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is omnipresent: "Where can I go from your Spirit ... If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there" (Psalms 139:7-8). The Holy Spirit is omniscient: "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit is eternal and self-existent: "How much more, then; will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit ..." (Hebrews 9:14). Only God possesses these attributes.
God alone can be blasphemed. Jesus said that blasphemy against God the Holy Spirit
is a sin in which no forgiveness is possible: "And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speak against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32).
All cults deny the deity and person of the Holy Spirit. They often claim that the Holy Spirit is simply God's impersonal "active force," or that the Holy Spirit is a mode in which God chooses to operate in order to accomplish a certain task. To accept these positions is to deny the authority and clear teaching of Scripture. Clearly, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is God, and is separate from the Father and the Son. This is an essential of the faith that cannot be compromised.
God alone can be blasphemed. Jesus said that blasphemy against God the Holy Spirit
is a sin in which no forgiveness is possible: "And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speak against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32).
All cults deny the deity and person of the Holy Spirit. They often claim that the Holy Spirit is simply God's impersonal "active force," or that the Holy Spirit is a mode in which God chooses to operate in order to accomplish a certain task. To accept these positions is to deny the authority and clear teaching of Scripture. Clearly, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is God, and is separate from the Father and the Son. This is an essential of the faith that cannot be compromised.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
"And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28-29). Joel's prophecy refers to the Lord pouring out His Spirit on all believers. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledged that this prophecy was fulfilled beginning at Pentecost: "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people" (16-17).
At conversion every Christian receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual
gifts as He sees fit, in order to build up the Body. All do not receive the same gift; nor is any one gift the initial evidence of having received the Spirit: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (1 Corinthians 12:7-
11).
The Holy Spirit continues to operate in the life of the believer throughout the sanctification process. Some Christians believe there is an additional baptism in the Holy Spirit available -- one that not all Christians will receive -- that provides additional spiritual power and gifts. Those that take this position cite proof-texts such as Acts 19:6. This is not an issue to break fellowship over, as all Christians will acknowledge that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers. "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
At conversion every Christian receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual
gifts as He sees fit, in order to build up the Body. All do not receive the same gift; nor is any one gift the initial evidence of having received the Spirit: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (1 Corinthians 12:7-
11).
The Holy Spirit continues to operate in the life of the believer throughout the sanctification process. Some Christians believe there is an additional baptism in the Holy Spirit available -- one that not all Christians will receive -- that provides additional spiritual power and gifts. Those that take this position cite proof-texts such as Acts 19:6. This is not an issue to break fellowship over, as all Christians will acknowledge that the Holy Spirit indwells all believers. "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
The Unpardonable Sin
"If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death" (1 John 5:16-17). There is a sin that is often referred to as the unpardonable sin. It is a sin that will result in death -- not just physical death -- but in spiritual death. There is no redemption for the person who commits the unpardonable sin.
Jesus confirmed the unpardonable sin in Matthew 12: "And so I tell you, every sin and
blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 25 12:30-32).
Christians differ as to what actually constitutes the unpardonable sin. Three positions
dominate this debate. Each agree that it involves blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, but the debate centers around what actually constitutes the blasphemy. One position holds that blasphemy against the Spirit is attributing the works of God the Holy Spirit to Satan; specifically, those works done through Jesus Christ. This camp believes the unpardonable sin could only have been committed while Christ walked the earth.
The second position holds that, once a person is sufficiently enlightened by the Holy
Spirit to have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and instead rejects Christ as being
demonic, then that person has committed the unpardonable sin.
The third position claims that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an ongoing rejection
of Christ's offer of salvation. Any of the three positions is acceptable, and is not a reason over which to break fellowship.
Many people fear that they themselves have committed the unpardonable sin. Such a
fear is proof that they have not committed it -- fear or remorse is an indication that the Spirit is still at work in their being. One who commits the unpardonable sin has heard and understood the Spirit's testimony to the extent that they are fully cognizant of their choice to blaspheme. They are incapable of repentance. This is what the writer of Hebrews was referring to when he wrote, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened ... who have shared in the Holy Spirit ... if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance" (Hebrews 6:4, 6).
We do not have the authority to accuse someone of having committed the unpardonable sin. To do so would be to judge the person as forever lost, without hope of redemption. Christians do not have the knowledge or authority to make such pronouncements. Only God knows who has committed the unpardonable sin.
Jesus confirmed the unpardonable sin in Matthew 12: "And so I tell you, every sin and
blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 25 12:30-32).
Christians differ as to what actually constitutes the unpardonable sin. Three positions
dominate this debate. Each agree that it involves blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, but the debate centers around what actually constitutes the blasphemy. One position holds that blasphemy against the Spirit is attributing the works of God the Holy Spirit to Satan; specifically, those works done through Jesus Christ. This camp believes the unpardonable sin could only have been committed while Christ walked the earth.
The second position holds that, once a person is sufficiently enlightened by the Holy
Spirit to have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and instead rejects Christ as being
demonic, then that person has committed the unpardonable sin.
The third position claims that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an ongoing rejection
of Christ's offer of salvation. Any of the three positions is acceptable, and is not a reason over which to break fellowship.
Many people fear that they themselves have committed the unpardonable sin. Such a
fear is proof that they have not committed it -- fear or remorse is an indication that the Spirit is still at work in their being. One who commits the unpardonable sin has heard and understood the Spirit's testimony to the extent that they are fully cognizant of their choice to blaspheme. They are incapable of repentance. This is what the writer of Hebrews was referring to when he wrote, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened ... who have shared in the Holy Spirit ... if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance" (Hebrews 6:4, 6).
We do not have the authority to accuse someone of having committed the unpardonable sin. To do so would be to judge the person as forever lost, without hope of redemption. Christians do not have the knowledge or authority to make such pronouncements. Only God knows who has committed the unpardonable sin.
Can a Believer Commit the Unpardonable Sin?
The quick answer is no. The only time the Bible discusses an unforgivable sin we see it associated with “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.”[1] What exactly is the Holy Spirit’s role? What does He do that we could blaspheme against Him? Christ said,
This gives us our clue. The Holy Spirit constantly points toward the atoning work of Christ. He always speaks of the Son and directs us to accept His Lordship.
Since it is only through the finished work of Christ that we may receive forgiveness, refusing the Spirit’s message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ means you are in fact refusing to be forgiven. We see this upheld in:
So, the question is actually “Is this still possible after accepting Christ as Savior?” Can we undo our decision? Can we lose our salvation? Again the quick answer is no. But to support that answer consider the Apostle John stated that we can know for a fact that we have eternal life.[2] That would be impossible if we were in constant danger of losing our salvation.
Job was sure that even if he died he would be redeemed[3] as was the Apostle Paul.[4] Paul said that the Spirit guards our souls until the Day of Judgment and that it is the Spirit that “seals us” until the Day of Redemption.[5] The Spirit testifies that we are God’s children, co-heirs with Christ and that we will be glorified.[6] This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us.[7] If we are truly the children of God (and John confirms this) we know for a fact that when He appears we will be like Him. This is a purifying hope that we can possess.[8] Peter described this hope, this inheritance as “imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading, kept in heaven for us who are being protected by god’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last times.” [9]
So heeding the Spirit’s message and accepting forgiveness in the form of the atoning work of the Messiah precludes “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” and the “unforgivable sin.”
[1] Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:28-29
[2] 1 John 5:13
[3] Job 19:25-27
[4] 2 Timothy 1:12
[5] Ephesians 4:30
[6] Romans 8:16-17
[7] 1 John 4:13-16
[8] 1 John 3:1-3
[9] 1 Peter 1:3-5
- John 15:26 HCSB "When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father--He will testify about Me.
This gives us our clue. The Holy Spirit constantly points toward the atoning work of Christ. He always speaks of the Son and directs us to accept His Lordship.
Since it is only through the finished work of Christ that we may receive forgiveness, refusing the Spirit’s message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ means you are in fact refusing to be forgiven. We see this upheld in:
- Luke 12:8-10 HCSB "And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, 9 but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
So, the question is actually “Is this still possible after accepting Christ as Savior?” Can we undo our decision? Can we lose our salvation? Again the quick answer is no. But to support that answer consider the Apostle John stated that we can know for a fact that we have eternal life.[2] That would be impossible if we were in constant danger of losing our salvation.
Job was sure that even if he died he would be redeemed[3] as was the Apostle Paul.[4] Paul said that the Spirit guards our souls until the Day of Judgment and that it is the Spirit that “seals us” until the Day of Redemption.[5] The Spirit testifies that we are God’s children, co-heirs with Christ and that we will be glorified.[6] This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us.[7] If we are truly the children of God (and John confirms this) we know for a fact that when He appears we will be like Him. This is a purifying hope that we can possess.[8] Peter described this hope, this inheritance as “imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading, kept in heaven for us who are being protected by god’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last times.” [9]
So heeding the Spirit’s message and accepting forgiveness in the form of the atoning work of the Messiah precludes “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” and the “unforgivable sin.”
[1] Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:28-29
[2] 1 John 5:13
[3] Job 19:25-27
[4] 2 Timothy 1:12
[5] Ephesians 4:30
[6] Romans 8:16-17
[7] 1 John 4:13-16
[8] 1 John 3:1-3
[9] 1 Peter 1:3-5
What Is the Shekinah?
[1]The word “Shekinah”[2] does not expressly appear in the Scriptures. When discussing the cloud that appeared in the tabernacle, indicating the presence of God, the Jewish rabbis would call it “the presence of G-d”. “Shekinah” comes from the verb “shakan”[3] which means “to dwell or settle down”.[4] So the etymology of “the dwelling or presence of God” is the grammatically feminine Hebrew word Sh'ch’eenah, or as we mispronounce it, Shekinah.
Another name for the Shekinah that many rabbis used was the "The Daughter of the Voice," or “God's Voice” (Heb. Bat Kol).
Therefore, because the term is consistently presented in the feminine, I will be using the feminine pronouns “she” or “her” rather than “it” to refer to the Shekinah. The reason for the personification will become clear shortly.
The Shekinah first appeared as our people left Egypt’s bondage and headed toward the Red Sea.
There seems to be evidence of teamwork between the cloud and the Angel of God.
The verse doesn’t say that the cloud IS the Angel of God; but instead, refers to them separately. First, the Angel of God[5] moved to protect us, and then came the Shekinah.
The Shekinah was not an Israelite delusion, a form of self-imposed hallucination. The Egyptians, who were polytheists and the enemies of our people, saw her too and indicated a belief that there was a direct correlation between the menacing cloud and Yahweh.[6]
By the way, the pronoun “he” does not appear in the original text of verse 25 as it does in verses 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the same chapter. The English pronoun was added for “clarification” by the HCSB’s translators. I believe a better rendering would thus be “The Lord looked down on…threw into confusion…and caused the wheels...”
We next see the Shekinah indicating Yah’s presence on Mount Sinai (aka Mount Horeb), and bringing the good news of God’s mitzvoth.[7]
As an interesting side note, the Shekinah did not appear until the people sanctified themselves to the Lord by being sprinkled by blood. Also, here too, we see a clear distinction between the Angel of the Lord, clearly identified as God yet existing in physical, visible form[8] and the Shekinah that appeared five verses later.[9] It is also important to remember that every time a Christophany appeared, the form was human and male.
Hashem used the Shekinah as a way of indicating His presence had arrived at the tent of meeting that was outside the camp; to let Moses and the people know He wanted to talk to them.[10]
[11]When we first built the tabernacle, the Shekinah descended, demonstrating both Yahweh’s pleasure with our effort and His appropriation and sanctification of what was essentially nothing more than a big tent.[12]
By the way, even the word “tabernacle” is a variant of the word “shakan”. In Hebrew, it is the word “mishkan”. You can see its derivation in:
“Mishkan” can be referenced as Strong’s #4908 and we can determine that it is also a feminine word in:
The Shekinah not only indicated Yahweh’s presence among His people, but she also provided daily direction.[13]
“The Presence” in the New Covenant
Using the middot “binyan av” – analogy by common theme or concept – we find the following:
1. As we were led through the wilderness by the Shekinah, so Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.[14]
2. As the Shekinah arrived in order to indicate God’s willingness to teach and counsel us, so the Spirit.[15]
3. As the Shekinah descended in the form of fire, so the Spirit.[16] I believe this should also give us some insight into Moses’ run in with a certain famous bush.[17] The text says that the Angel of the Lord appeared “in” a flame, not “as” a flame.
4. As the Shekinah illuminated our way through the desert nights, so the Spirit illuminates us.[18]
5. As the Shekinah is interchangeable with Yahweh, so the The Ruach’ ha Kodesh is Divine.[19]
6. As the Shekinah was instrumental in the bringing of God’s mitzvoth, so the Spirit was critical to the development of the Scriptures.[20]
7. As the Shekinah assured us of God’s presence in the camp, so the Holy Spirit is God living in and among those who believe.[21]
8. As the Shekinah protected us and ensured our delivery from Egypt, so the Holy Spirit is our seal, our divine assurance of God’s deliverance from the world, the flesh and the devil.[22] The Spirit will surely lead us to our Promised Land.
9. As the Shekinah did not come to dwell in the tabernacle until the people sanctified themselves to the Lord and were baptized in sacrificial blood,[23] so the Holy Spirit does not inhabit our earthly tabernacle[24] until we commit ourselves to the Lord and are baptized in the sacrificial blood of the Lamb.
10. As the Shekinah came directly upon the heels of the Angel of the Lord, so the Holy Spirit came immediately after and at the bidding of the Lord Jesus.[25]
11. As the Shekinah was the glory of God, so the Spirit was the glory that was given to us by the Messiah.[26]
12. As the Shekinah sanctified the tent and allowed the presence of God to dwell in our midst in spite of our sins, so the Holy Spirit sanctifies us and inhabits us in spite of our sins.[27]
13. As the Shekinah struck down those impertinent rebels who dared followed Korah but were too cowardly to publicly admit it, so the Holy Spirit struck down Ananias and Saphira for their impertinent lies.[28]
14. As the Shekina struck down those who stubbornly insisted on their sin using a plague, so the Spirit will afflict the recalcitrant with sickness and death.[29]
15. As the Shekina filled Solomon’s temple, so the Spirit uses our bodies as temples.[30]
Using the middot “gezera shava”– analogy by common termorsimilarity in phrase - we find the following grammatical similarities:
1. Shekinah, Aramaic for the presence of God, being based on “shakan” is grammatically feminine[31]
2. Ruach’, Hebrew for Spirit, is feminine[32]
3. Parousia, Greek for presence or advent of God, is used in virtually the same way as the Shekinah and is also feminine.[33] In the Greek world of the first century church, the word indicated a) a state visit; or b) the presence or appearance of a deity during worship, e.g. by divine fire.
4. Pneuma, the Greek word for spirit, is a neuter noun.[34] So the Hebrew authors of the New Covenant, when they translated the feminine ruach’ into Greek, were limited in expressing Hebrew feminine Ruach’ ha Kodesh into the Greek Holy Spirit by the constraints of the language.
The reader may object, “But Jesus was clearly alluding to the Holy Spirit when discussing the ‘Spirit of Truth’ and the personal pronouns in that verse are all masculine!” This is true in English. However, the personal pronoun “ekeinos”[35] is general and not gender specific. We must consider the possibility that the translators’ modern gender bias may have influenced their selection of pronouns.
Conclusion
There are therefore no grammatical hindrances to positively identifying the Shekinah as the Ruach’ ha Kodesh.
This matter is shikul ha da’at, a matter of some controversy, and should not be allowed to become a cause of dissension.
[1] Source: http://www.geocities.com/glory_ark/tabernacleatsunset.jpg
[2] alternative transliterations Shekhinah, Shechinah, Shekina, Shechina, Schechinah, שכינה
[3] Strong’s #7931
[4] Genesis 9:27 “dwell in”; 14:13 “was at”; Psalm 37:3 “dwell in”; Jeremiah 33:16 “will dwell”
[5] A theophany of the Son; aka Christophany; for further treatment see Theophany; or Angel of the Lord; or the sermon God Makes and Keeps Promises
[6] Exodus 14:24-25
[7] Exodus 24:15-18
[8] Exodus 24:9-11
[9] Exodus 24:15-16
[10] Exodus 33:9-11
[11] Source: www.inspiredbooks.com/.../image002.jpg
[12] Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16:16
[13] Exodus 40:36-38; Numbers 9:17-23
[14] Psalm 78:14 cp Luke 4:1, 14
[15] John 14:16; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 13:2
[16] Acts 2:3
[17] Exodus 3:2; pic source: http://wordincarnate.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/burning_bush.jpg
[18] Exodus 13:21; Matthew 25:3-4 (where the oil represents the Spirit’s presence and the light represents the Spirit’s empowerment); 1 John 2:20, 27
[19] Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Hebrews 9:14
[20] 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
[21] Matthew 18:19-20
[22] Exodus 14:20; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13
[23] Exodus 24:7-8
[24] 2 Corinthians 5:1
[25] Exodus 14:19; Exodus 24:9-10, 15-16; John 14:16; 16:7
[26] Exodus 24:15-17 cp John 17:22; 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, 17-18
[27] Leviticus 16:16; Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 1:8-10
[28] Numbers 16:19, 35 cp Acts 5:3-5, 9-10
[29] Numbers 16:41-49 cp 1 Corinthians 11:28-30
[30] 1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14; 7:1-3 cp 1 Corinthians 6:19
[31] Strong’s #7931
[32] Strong’s #7306
[33] Strong’s #3952 from the pres. part. of Strong’s #3918
[34] Strong’s #4151
[35] Strong’s #1563
Another name for the Shekinah that many rabbis used was the "The Daughter of the Voice," or “God's Voice” (Heb. Bat Kol).
Therefore, because the term is consistently presented in the feminine, I will be using the feminine pronouns “she” or “her” rather than “it” to refer to the Shekinah. The reason for the personification will become clear shortly.
The Shekinah first appeared as our people left Egypt’s bondage and headed toward the Red Sea.
- Exodus 13:20-22 HCSB They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. (21) The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. (22) The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.
There seems to be evidence of teamwork between the cloud and the Angel of God.
- Exodus 14:19-20 HCSB Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. (20) It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. The cloud was there in the darkness, yet it lit up the night. So, neither group came near the other all night long.
The verse doesn’t say that the cloud IS the Angel of God; but instead, refers to them separately. First, the Angel of God[5] moved to protect us, and then came the Shekinah.
The Shekinah was not an Israelite delusion, a form of self-imposed hallucination. The Egyptians, who were polytheists and the enemies of our people, saw her too and indicated a belief that there was a direct correlation between the menacing cloud and Yahweh.[6]
By the way, the pronoun “he” does not appear in the original text of verse 25 as it does in verses 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the same chapter. The English pronoun was added for “clarification” by the HCSB’s translators. I believe a better rendering would thus be “The Lord looked down on…threw into confusion…and caused the wheels...”
We next see the Shekinah indicating Yah’s presence on Mount Sinai (aka Mount Horeb), and bringing the good news of God’s mitzvoth.[7]
As an interesting side note, the Shekinah did not appear until the people sanctified themselves to the Lord by being sprinkled by blood. Also, here too, we see a clear distinction between the Angel of the Lord, clearly identified as God yet existing in physical, visible form[8] and the Shekinah that appeared five verses later.[9] It is also important to remember that every time a Christophany appeared, the form was human and male.
Hashem used the Shekinah as a way of indicating His presence had arrived at the tent of meeting that was outside the camp; to let Moses and the people know He wanted to talk to them.[10]
[11]When we first built the tabernacle, the Shekinah descended, demonstrating both Yahweh’s pleasure with our effort and His appropriation and sanctification of what was essentially nothing more than a big tent.[12]
By the way, even the word “tabernacle” is a variant of the word “shakan”. In Hebrew, it is the word “mishkan”. You can see its derivation in:
- Psalms 132:4-5 HCSB I will not allow my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to slumber (5) until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
“Mishkan” can be referenced as Strong’s #4908 and we can determine that it is also a feminine word in:
- Psalms 46:4-5 HCSB There is a river--its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High. (5) God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns.
The Shekinah not only indicated Yahweh’s presence among His people, but she also provided daily direction.[13]
“The Presence” in the New Covenant
Using the middot “binyan av” – analogy by common theme or concept – we find the following:
1. As we were led through the wilderness by the Shekinah, so Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.[14]
2. As the Shekinah arrived in order to indicate God’s willingness to teach and counsel us, so the Spirit.[15]
3. As the Shekinah descended in the form of fire, so the Spirit.[16] I believe this should also give us some insight into Moses’ run in with a certain famous bush.[17] The text says that the Angel of the Lord appeared “in” a flame, not “as” a flame.
4. As the Shekinah illuminated our way through the desert nights, so the Spirit illuminates us.[18]
5. As the Shekinah is interchangeable with Yahweh, so the The Ruach’ ha Kodesh is Divine.[19]
6. As the Shekinah was instrumental in the bringing of God’s mitzvoth, so the Spirit was critical to the development of the Scriptures.[20]
7. As the Shekinah assured us of God’s presence in the camp, so the Holy Spirit is God living in and among those who believe.[21]
8. As the Shekinah protected us and ensured our delivery from Egypt, so the Holy Spirit is our seal, our divine assurance of God’s deliverance from the world, the flesh and the devil.[22] The Spirit will surely lead us to our Promised Land.
9. As the Shekinah did not come to dwell in the tabernacle until the people sanctified themselves to the Lord and were baptized in sacrificial blood,[23] so the Holy Spirit does not inhabit our earthly tabernacle[24] until we commit ourselves to the Lord and are baptized in the sacrificial blood of the Lamb.
10. As the Shekinah came directly upon the heels of the Angel of the Lord, so the Holy Spirit came immediately after and at the bidding of the Lord Jesus.[25]
11. As the Shekinah was the glory of God, so the Spirit was the glory that was given to us by the Messiah.[26]
12. As the Shekinah sanctified the tent and allowed the presence of God to dwell in our midst in spite of our sins, so the Holy Spirit sanctifies us and inhabits us in spite of our sins.[27]
13. As the Shekinah struck down those impertinent rebels who dared followed Korah but were too cowardly to publicly admit it, so the Holy Spirit struck down Ananias and Saphira for their impertinent lies.[28]
14. As the Shekina struck down those who stubbornly insisted on their sin using a plague, so the Spirit will afflict the recalcitrant with sickness and death.[29]
15. As the Shekina filled Solomon’s temple, so the Spirit uses our bodies as temples.[30]
Using the middot “gezera shava”– analogy by common termorsimilarity in phrase - we find the following grammatical similarities:
1. Shekinah, Aramaic for the presence of God, being based on “shakan” is grammatically feminine[31]
2. Ruach’, Hebrew for Spirit, is feminine[32]
3. Parousia, Greek for presence or advent of God, is used in virtually the same way as the Shekinah and is also feminine.[33] In the Greek world of the first century church, the word indicated a) a state visit; or b) the presence or appearance of a deity during worship, e.g. by divine fire.
4. Pneuma, the Greek word for spirit, is a neuter noun.[34] So the Hebrew authors of the New Covenant, when they translated the feminine ruach’ into Greek, were limited in expressing Hebrew feminine Ruach’ ha Kodesh into the Greek Holy Spirit by the constraints of the language.
The reader may object, “But Jesus was clearly alluding to the Holy Spirit when discussing the ‘Spirit of Truth’ and the personal pronouns in that verse are all masculine!” This is true in English. However, the personal pronoun “ekeinos”[35] is general and not gender specific. We must consider the possibility that the translators’ modern gender bias may have influenced their selection of pronouns.
Conclusion
There are therefore no grammatical hindrances to positively identifying the Shekinah as the Ruach’ ha Kodesh.
This matter is shikul ha da’at, a matter of some controversy, and should not be allowed to become a cause of dissension.
[1] Source: http://www.geocities.com/glory_ark/tabernacleatsunset.jpg
[2] alternative transliterations Shekhinah, Shechinah, Shekina, Shechina, Schechinah, שכינה
[3] Strong’s #7931
[4] Genesis 9:27 “dwell in”; 14:13 “was at”; Psalm 37:3 “dwell in”; Jeremiah 33:16 “will dwell”
[5] A theophany of the Son; aka Christophany; for further treatment see Theophany; or Angel of the Lord; or the sermon God Makes and Keeps Promises
[6] Exodus 14:24-25
[7] Exodus 24:15-18
[8] Exodus 24:9-11
[9] Exodus 24:15-16
[10] Exodus 33:9-11
[11] Source: www.inspiredbooks.com/.../image002.jpg
[12] Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 16:16
[13] Exodus 40:36-38; Numbers 9:17-23
[14] Psalm 78:14 cp Luke 4:1, 14
[15] John 14:16; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 13:2
[16] Acts 2:3
[17] Exodus 3:2; pic source: http://wordincarnate.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/burning_bush.jpg
[18] Exodus 13:21; Matthew 25:3-4 (where the oil represents the Spirit’s presence and the light represents the Spirit’s empowerment); 1 John 2:20, 27
[19] Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Hebrews 9:14
[20] 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
[21] Matthew 18:19-20
[22] Exodus 14:20; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13
[23] Exodus 24:7-8
[24] 2 Corinthians 5:1
[25] Exodus 14:19; Exodus 24:9-10, 15-16; John 14:16; 16:7
[26] Exodus 24:15-17 cp John 17:22; 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, 17-18
[27] Leviticus 16:16; Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 1:8-10
[28] Numbers 16:19, 35 cp Acts 5:3-5, 9-10
[29] Numbers 16:41-49 cp 1 Corinthians 11:28-30
[30] 1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14; 7:1-3 cp 1 Corinthians 6:19
[31] Strong’s #7931
[32] Strong’s #7306
[33] Strong’s #3952 from the pres. part. of Strong’s #3918
[34] Strong’s #4151
[35] Strong’s #1563
What Was the "Power of the Lord"? What Was Its Purpose?
The “power of the Lord” is the Holy Spirit.” Before the coming of the Mashiach’ the Holy Spirit (the Ruach’ ha Kodesh”) would come and go, come and go. The Spirit would descend upon a person and empower them to do a great work and then leave them.
The Holy Spirit gave Joseph prophetic insight into the dreams of the Pharaoh which allowed him to become the second in command of Egypt and later provide asylum for the founding fathers of Israel, saving them from a great famine.
The Spirit authorized men to lead, granting them influence among the congregation, along with a discerning spirit to judge them and the tactical insights requisite to save them from their enemies.
Samson is a very interesting case study of the power of the Lord because Samson had very poor character. He was disobedient to his parents, subject to raging temper fits, used prostitutes and was consistently sexually attracted to goyish women, contrary to the Law. Yet the Holy Spirit still chose to use him to bring about justice.
The Spirit granted him incredible physical strength and speed making Samson nearly invincible against both man and beast.
However, even Samson’s access to the Spirit was limited to his obedience. He only had only one thing to obey in order to be able to have this invincibility: he was not to cut his hair. When he disobeyed in this one thing, he lost his power.
King Saul too was authorized and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
However, when he disobeyed, the Spirit left him for David. Thus he became vulnerable to the machinations of evil spirits.
Elijah called down fire from heaven, started and stopped the rain over an entire nation and ran 17 miles – all empowered by the Spirit.
Oddly enough, the spiritual dominion, both holy and evil, seem to be strongly influenced by music.
Perhaps this is related to the following insights from David, someone who knew a thing or two about music and praising the Lord!
We see that principle of praising and singing to the Lord put to actual tactical use in the following passage:
But back to the issue of the “power of the Lord” and what it does. The Holy Spirit kept Isaiah from succumbing to the temptation of giving in to peer pressure. The Spirit granted him insight into a bad alliance and courage to stand up and speak out.
Not only great strength, speed, invincibility, prophetic insight, authority and influence but actually direct visions of God can be had from the hand of the Spirit.
This empowerment is not necessarily a “good feeling” however. It is not necessarily comfortable. And when it comes upon one in a particularly mighty way it can leave that person exhausted and stunned.
The Holy Spirit will direct a person as to what to say at a given time.
The Holy Spirit will give us instructions as to where to go and when to stop.
This wonderful power, this Holy Spirit comes to us as a gift from the Machiach’. His death, burial, resurrection and ascension all made possible the coming of the Comforter.
Therefore, we need to be sure that we remain humbly grateful and not allow our Gift to forget the One who is the Giver. The Lord will take measures to help us in this as He did the Apostle Paul.
However, we must not, like Samson and Saul, live disobedient lives and grieve the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gave Joseph prophetic insight into the dreams of the Pharaoh which allowed him to become the second in command of Egypt and later provide asylum for the founding fathers of Israel, saving them from a great famine.
- Genesis 41:38-42 HCSB Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this, a man who has the spirit of God in him?" (39) So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you. (40) You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." (41) Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt." (42) Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
The Spirit authorized men to lead, granting them influence among the congregation, along with a discerning spirit to judge them and the tactical insights requisite to save them from their enemies.
- Judges 3:9-10 HCSB The Israelites cried out to the LORD. So the LORD raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's youngest brother as a deliverer to save the Israelites. (10) The Spirit of the LORD was on him, and he judged Israel. Othniel went out to battle, and the LORD handed over Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram to him, so that Othniel overpowered him.
- Judges 6:33-35 HCSB All the Midianites, Amalekites, and Qedemites gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. (34) The Spirit of the LORD enveloped Gideon, and he blew the ram's horn and the Abiezrites rallied behind him. (35) He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh, who rallied behind him. He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, who also came to meet him.
- Judges 11:29-33 HCSB The Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah, who traveled through Gilead and Manasseh, and then through Mizpah of Gilead. He crossed over to the Ammonites from Mizpah of Gilead. (30) Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: "If You will hand over the Ammonites to me, (31) whatever comes out of the doors of my house to greet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it as a burnt offering." (32) Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD handed them over to him. (33) He defeated 20 of their cities with a great slaughter from Aroer all the way to the entrance of Minnith and to Abel-keramim. So the Ammonites were subdued before the Israelites.
Samson is a very interesting case study of the power of the Lord because Samson had very poor character. He was disobedient to his parents, subject to raging temper fits, used prostitutes and was consistently sexually attracted to goyish women, contrary to the Law. Yet the Holy Spirit still chose to use him to bring about justice.
The Spirit granted him incredible physical strength and speed making Samson nearly invincible against both man and beast.
- Judges 14:5-6 HCSB Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, (6) the Spirit of the LORD took control of him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
- Judges 14:19-20 HCSB The Spirit of the LORD took control of him, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed 30 of their men. He stripped them and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. In a rage, Samson returned to his father's house, (20) and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
- Judges 15:14-15 HCSB When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came to meet him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD took control of him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like burnt flax and his bonds fell off his wrists. (15) He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand, took it, and killed 1,000 men with it.
However, even Samson’s access to the Spirit was limited to his obedience. He only had only one thing to obey in order to be able to have this invincibility: he was not to cut his hair. When he disobeyed in this one thing, he lost his power.
- Judges 16:19-20 HCSB Then she let him fall asleep on her lap and called a man to shave off the seven braids on his head. In this way, she rendered him helpless, and his strength left him. (20) Then she cried, "Samson, the Philistines are here!" When he awoke from his sleep, he said, "I will escape as I did before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
King Saul too was authorized and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Samuel 10:6-10 HCSB The Spirit of the LORD will control you, you will prophesy with them, and you will be transformed into a different person. (7) When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require because God is with you. (8) Afterwards, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do." (9) When Saul turned around to leave Samuel, God changed his heart, and all the signs came about that day. (10) When Saul and his attendant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God took control of him, and he prophesied along with them.
- 1 Samuel 11:6-7 HCSB When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly took control of him, and his anger burned furiously. (7) He took a team of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the land of Israel by messengers who said, "This is what will be done to the ox of anyone who doesn't march behind Saul and Samuel." As a result, the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they went out united.
However, when he disobeyed, the Spirit left him for David. Thus he became vulnerable to the machinations of evil spirits.
- 1 Samuel 16:13-14 HCSB So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. (14) Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD began to torment him,
Elijah called down fire from heaven, started and stopped the rain over an entire nation and ran 17 miles – all empowered by the Spirit.
- 1 Kings 18:46 HCSB The power of the LORD was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Oddly enough, the spiritual dominion, both holy and evil, seem to be strongly influenced by music.
- 1 Samuel 16:23 HCSB Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
- 2 Kings 3:15 HCSB Now, bring me a musician." While the musician played, the LORD's hand came on Elisha.
Perhaps this is related to the following insights from David, someone who knew a thing or two about music and praising the Lord!
- Psalms 22:3 HCSB But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
- Psalms 69:30-31 HCSB I will praise God's name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. (31) That will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves.
We see that principle of praising and singing to the Lord put to actual tactical use in the following passage:
- 2 Chronicles 20:21-24 HCSB (21) Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the LORD,for His faithful love endures forever. (22) The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. (23) The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other. (24) When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and there were corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.
But back to the issue of the “power of the Lord” and what it does. The Holy Spirit kept Isaiah from succumbing to the temptation of giving in to peer pressure. The Spirit granted him insight into a bad alliance and courage to stand up and speak out.
- Isaiah 8:11-13 HCSB For this is what the LORD said to me with great power, to keep me from going the way of this people: (12) Do not call everything an alliance these people say is an alliance. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified. (13) You are to regard only the LORD of Hosts as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be held in awe.
Not only great strength, speed, invincibility, prophetic insight, authority and influence but actually direct visions of God can be had from the hand of the Spirit.
- Ezekiel 1:1-4 HCSB In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. (2) On the fifth day of the month--it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile-- (3) the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar Canal. And the LORD's hand was on him there. (4) I looked and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber.
- Ezekiel 8:1-2 HCSB In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting in front of me, and there the hand of the Lord GOD came down on me. (2) I looked, and there was a form that had the appearance of a man. From what seemed to be His waist down was fire, and from His waist up was something that looked bright, like the gleam of amber.
This empowerment is not necessarily a “good feeling” however. It is not necessarily comfortable. And when it comes upon one in a particularly mighty way it can leave that person exhausted and stunned.
- Ezekiel 3:14-15 HCSB So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the LORD's hand was on me powerfully. (15) I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were living by the Chebar Canal, and I sat there stunned for seven days.
The Holy Spirit will direct a person as to what to say at a given time.
- Ezekiel 33:21-23 HCSB In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, "The city has been taken!" (22) Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and He opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute. (23) Then the word of the LORD came to me:
The Holy Spirit will give us instructions as to where to go and when to stop.
- Matthew 4:1 HCSB Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
- Acts 16:6-7 HCSB They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. (7) When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
This wonderful power, this Holy Spirit comes to us as a gift from the Machiach’. His death, burial, resurrection and ascension all made possible the coming of the Comforter.
- John 3:31-34 HCSB The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The One who comes from heaven is above all. (32) He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. (33) The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true. (34) For God sent Him, and He speaks God's words, since He gives the Spirit without measure.
Therefore, we need to be sure that we remain humbly grateful and not allow our Gift to forget the One who is the Giver. The Lord will take measures to help us in this as He did the Apostle Paul.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 HCSB It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. (2) I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know; God knows. (3) I know that this man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- (4) was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. (5) I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. (6) For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, (7) especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. (8) Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. (9) But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. (10) So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
However, we must not, like Samson and Saul, live disobedient lives and grieve the Holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 4:29-32 HCSB No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear. (30) And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption. (31) All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. (32) And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
