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The Pouring Out of the Spirit (1)
Introduction: As we have noted before, the use of the word “spirit” [ruah] is used in Ezekiel more than any other book of the Bible (52x). Therefore, we have been using this book as our foundation for understanding the use of the word “spirit,” especially the Holy Spirit, in the rest of scripture.
In this lesson we will begin a study of the metaphor, “pouring out the Spirit.” We have already talked about the general meaning of this phrase and the “pouring out of life,” in the sense of pouring life-giving water on dry ground. But there are far more implications to the phrase that God intended.
- The Pouring out of Ruah: Ezekiel 39:25-29
- Though this is the only occasion in which Ezekiel refers to the pouring out of the Spirit, the context may give us an insight into its meaning more than any other place where the phrase is used.
- Context: In chapters 36-37 God gave promises of Israel’s restoration, and thus, vindication of God’s holy name. In 37:24-28, God promised them a permanent dwelling place, an everlasting covenant, “David” as king over them forever, and God’s sanctuary and dwelling place in their midst forevermore.
But before this could see its complete fulfillment, God’s enemies needed to finally be defeated (38-39). After their defeat, chapters 40-48 describe the building of God’s Messianic temple in which God will dwell with his people in perfect security forever. - The last line of 39:29 tells us these blessings would happen “when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel.” Notice the blessings:
- Israel’s fortunes would be restored and God will have mercy on them.
- He would be jealous for his holy name (restoring his people will cause them to live in a way that God’s name will be praised).
- Their sins and wickedness would be forgotten (because God will have cleansed them).
- They will dwell securely in their land and no enemy will make them afraid (this references the perfect security in Christ, God fulfilling his oath to bless them – Hebrews 6:13-20).
- God will vindicate his holiness in the sight of the nations by gathering them from the lands of their enemies (the nations had profaned his holy name when they went into captivity. Now they will realize the reason for their captivity was not God’s weakness, but Israel’s sin – 39:23-24).
- Israel would also know that Yahweh is their God when he assembles them and delivers them from their captivity. None of God’s people will be left in a captive state among the nations.
- The Lord would not hide his face from them anymore. Therefore their relationship with the Lord is completely renewed and God will always be there for them when they call upon him.
- Before we talk about the metaphor God used with the words “poured out,” let’s summarize the results of the Spirit poured out from 39:25-29:
- The covenantal relationship is renewed
- Israel’s restoration begins per Acts 1:4-8 (notice the connections of kingdom, Spirit poured out, and restoration)
- Forgiveness and mercy are provided
- God has sealed Israel as his own special possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). Thus, there is God’s picture of ownership.
- Pouring Out Ruah: Isaiah 44:1-5
- Notice again that the primary context is ownership. In chapter 43, the Lord had promised rejection of the people because of their rebellion. But his rejection is not permanent. The Lord had chosen them and will again bring them to life and bring them to himself. The result of God pouring his Spirit on them will be that the people will recognize that they are the Lord’s and will be called by his name.
- Verse three is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham to multiply his offspring. That had not happened for the physical nation. But God would pour out his Spirit on their offspring and they would sprout up abundantly.
- We also are seeing why God uses the “pour out” metaphor. Just as water is “poured out on a thirsty land,” so now God’s Spirit would be poured out on a spiritually dead nation that had dried up because God’s Spirit was no longer with them.
- Compare Psalm 139:7-12 where David praises the Lord’s presence in his life by saying, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bring as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”
- Note also David’s condition when he realizes his sin in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
- Therefore, the pouring out of the Spirit indicates God’s presence, God maintaining or renewing the life of his people, and God’s ownership of his people.
- The Pouring Out of Ruah: Isaiah 32:9-18
- This text gives a clear picture of the contrast between judgment on the nation and reversing that judgment by pouring out the Spirit causing the wilderness to be a fruitful field. When the nation is judged and punished, it has no life nor can it produce fruit. Without God, they are cursed with a spiritual famine (which is visibly indicated by a physical famine and the nation losing people to captivity).
- Notice the pouring out of the Spirit are connected to the blessings of the coming Messiah, which again connects the Messiah’s work with the Spirit’s work. Notice specifically:
- Now there is justice and righteousness because God’s people responding to the righteousness put forth by their King.
- There is peace, quietness, and security because the enemies of God’s people have been subdued and no longer have power to conquer.
- Isaiah 40 expands on the reversal of chapter 32:
- Verse 3: “a voice cries in the wilderness…make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Note in context the Lord is returning and the call is to prepare for his return. In other words, God again is going to dwell in the midst of his people.
- Verses 6-8: the “voice” is commanded to cry concerning the withering, temporary life of all flesh. Their only hope is the word of God which will “stand forever.” Peter quotes this text (1 Peter 1:22-25) to show that we have been born again by an “imperishable seed, the living and abiding word of God.” Thus, the work of the Spirit in bringing us life through the Spirit’s words implanted in us.
- Verses 9-10 speaks of God’s return and reign as “good news” because he will recompense the enemies and gather and tend his flock.
- Now compare these promises to Mark’s quotation in 1:1-8. The text begins with the announcement of the “gospel” [good news] and then the “voice crying in the wilderness.” John is revealed as voice who is crying in a literal wilderness, which indicates the desolate, spiritual nature of the nation. But then, John announces the one coming after him who will baptize you with the Spirit. Note the reversal of the nation being a wilderness to the people being immersed in God’s blessings.
Add to that 1:14-15 and Jesus’ announcement that the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
Conclusion: We now can see how critical the pouring out of the Spirit was for those looking for the hope of the kingdom. This enables us to better understand what we should be understanding when we see this phrase used in the NT. All four gospels begin with John the baptizer announcing that the one who would come after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. That announcement is a direct fulfillment of Isaiah 32:15, “…until the Spirit is poured out from on high…”
Therefore, what an amazing honor it is for us to be citizens of God’s kingdom in the time of this restoration. We are the fruitful field that was formerly a wilderness and now brings honor to God vindicating the holiness of his great name. Living to be the people of whom he prophesied is our challenge!
In our next lesson we will examine how the pouring out of the Spirit directly affects our lives today.
Berry Kercheville