Description
A cursory reading of the New Testament will alert the reader to numerous references to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore not surprising that Pentecostals focus on the New Testament as the source for their understanding of pneumatology. However, there are many references to Ruach in the Old Testament of which approximately 107 refer to God’s activities in nature and in the lives of humankind. In these passages Ruach is translated as “spirit”, and it can then be understood as an indication of the work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God fulfilled a major role in the life of David. The aim of this paper is to provide an Old Testament perspective on the Spirit of God, by analyzing the work and presence of Ruach in the life of David. The books of Samuel, as well as certain psalms, will be used as the basis for this analysis.
"RUACH IN THE LIFE OF DAVID: AN OLD TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD"
A cursory reading of the New Testament will alert the reader to numerous references to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore not surprising that Pentecostals focus on the New Testament as the source for their understanding of pneumatology. However, there are many references to Ruach in the Old Testament of which approximately 107 refer to God’s activities in nature and in the lives of humankind. In these passages Ruach is translated as “spirit”, and it can then be understood as an indication of the work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God fulfilled a major role in the life of David. The aim of this paper is to provide an Old Testament perspective on the Spirit of God, by analyzing the work and presence of Ruach in the life of David. The books of Samuel, as well as certain psalms, will be used as the basis for this analysis.
