The Works of the Spirit of God in Public Leadership

A Review of Selected Readings in the Old Testament

Abstract

Pentecostalism, as a strand of Christianity, has made substantial contributions to both Christendom and nation-building. Much has been discussed regarding the impact of Pentecostals on national development and the role of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual lives of believers and the church. However, when it comes to Old Testament biblical studies, there has been limited attention given to the role of the Holy Spirit in public leadership and His influence on society. Despite the existing literature on the subject, a common challenge is the hesitance to definitively conclude whether the continuous, abiding presence and actions of the Spirit of God (ruach ’elohim) operate in the same way as the Holy Spirit depicted in the New Testament. The aim of this work is to re-emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in public leadership, administration, and societal development as illustrated in the Old Testament. It posits that the same Holy Spirit celebrated in the New Testament empowered figures such as Daniel, Joseph, and Moses, as well as artisans like Bezalel and Oholiab, granting them exceptional gifts that set them apart as adept leaders and skilled architects of their time. Furthermore, there is ample biblical evidence showing instances of the Spirit's continuous presence in these Old Testament leaders. This paper will conduct textual analyses of selected biblical passages to support its conclusions.