Could our title for today, Abigail’s Gift of The Holy Spirit, be accurate? We are still studying the characteristics of David’s new wife named Abigail.
Abigail lived before Yeshua walked the earth. How could she have believed in Messiah? Did she pray for repentance of sins? Was it possible for Abigail to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit? Could this happen even BEFORE the cross?
Well, we have already given several lessons about Abigail’s spirituality. She clearly had many gifts from The Holy Spirit. You must believe in Messiah to have the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit. We’ve previously discussed Abigail possessed The Spirit of Wisdom. She possessed The Spirit of Understanding and The Spirit of Counsel. These are attributes of God’s Holy Spirit. They operate only for those who have been saved.
THE SPIRIT OF ADONAI
The Holy Spirit has six spiritual attributes. After they appear we then add the leadership of Adonai which is the highest, central and best attribute. It completes the seven. This makes seven gifts of God’s Holy Spirit. Abigail seemed to possess them all. Are you seeing the evidence of these seven attributes which combine to make up God’s One Holy Spirit? We see wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and reverence. All of these attributes flow out from and with the seventh – The Spirit of Adonai.
This Spirit of Adonai represents Yeshua. It displays and shares His perfect leadership. Without the Spirit of Adonai, the other attributes hold no power. Yeshua is the power source. He is the lampstand. The oil of The Light originates first from Adonai. It then flows outward to His people. This is Jesus who brings His atoning power which fills us with God’s Holy Spirit.
I firmly believe Yeshua saved Abigail. Also, I think He blessed her with the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. Yet, how could Abigail have believed on Jesus? How could a woman from those days know The Messiah? She lived in the days of the Old Testament. This is the time-period when only animal sacrifices are offered. We know these sacrifices were not enough. How could this be possible?
THE ESSENCE OF FAITH
Perhaps Abigail received salvation the same way that salvation became possible for Abraham. Actually, we could say the same of Moses and David. They believed the promises of God before the promises came to pass.
The promise of a Messiah to come was given to Eve. God gave her this promise after she was cast from the garden because of her sin. Our Father was only trying to teach us. He was not being cruel, angry or showing wrath. Our time of being cast away from the garden opened a second chance for life within God’s will. It allowed us time to learn to strive for holiness. We were given time to seek out someone who could teach God’s perfect ways to us. Men failed. Jesus succeeded.
MOVING BACK TO THE GARDEN
Mankind has always longed to find a way back into the garden. When mankind was cast out of the garden, God allowed the opportunity to reverse the curse of sin upon mankind. This cure would eventually come from their offspring.
Being “cast out” for Adam and Eve is comparable to the words “cut off.” These similar words describe the punishment for intentional sinners in the wilderness on the way to The Promised Land. We are all “cast out” or “cut off” until the blood of Jesus gifts us with atonement. I believe Abigail received this gift.
These two examples of separation were not meant to hurt us. Instead, they were used to teach us how to live. Perhaps Abigail’s previous life with Nabal was a type of this kind of separation. She learned a lot from that time in her life.
Clearly, God has never been about making life hard for us. He loves us. God provided His own Son to save us. Mankind simply needed to see and understand that God’s wisdom was best for our lives. Men have grasped for this higher understanding for thousands of years. Will we ever get it?
A MESSIAH TO COME
From the very beginning, God promised a Messiah. He would be born of a woman. That Messiah would make atonement for the sins of mankind. His love would reconnect mankind to God. Thus, one day mankind can again enter the Garden. We will attain the holiness we need to live with God.
The ancient patriarchs believed this promise. Like Abraham, they had faith to believe God’s promises even before they saw the evidence. In so many ways, this makes their faith even stronger than the faith of believers today.
What about us? Can we believe in something simply because God promised it?
We find this definition of faith in the words of Hebrews 11:1-2. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”
TRUE FAITH
Many obedient servants believed without proof or evidence that this promised Messiah would come. An amazing group of people were saved. It happened even before the Messiah died on the cross. Their faith reveals something we often fail to see about the Old Testament. People living before the cross could also obtain salvation. It was simply a matter of faith. They were able to come to faith in Messiah before the cross. All they must do is have confidence that every word from the mouth of God is true.
Let’s look at what should be a very familiar passage of scripture for the faithful. I’m speaking of Hebrews Chapter Eleven. This would be a good chapter for us to memorize. When is the last time you’ve read this chapter? It is well worth reading again.
In review, we can clearly see God saved people who believed His promises. This happened even to those who lived BEFORE Yeshua died for them. Perhaps they had to spend some time in Abraham’s Bosom after death. Even this did not destroy their strong faith. They still believed. These waited on Messiah to come.
ABIGAIL LIVED AMONG THE FAITHFUL
So, we know now that these of great faith were that great cloud of witnesses. They were the ones who resurrected after Yeshua. Rarely do we hear of this miracle from today’s pulpits. I believe Abigail was among these people. David too. Once again, she and David were together. Can you imagine their meeting after the resurrection?
I think Abigail’s name was on the list of the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Her name was not specifically mentioned, but still I think she was one of the faithful. The passage in Hebrews makes it clear. There were more names which were not mentioned who were part of these faithful believers.
Also, it was interesting to note David’s name among the faithful of Hebrews 11. Both Abigail and her husband/King David managed to receive forgiveness from God. The scriptures imply they attained the joy of everlasting life in The Kingdom of Heaven.
Salvation leads to resurrection. Salvation is only possible from one source, the atonement of Yeshua and the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. These work together as One.
Abigail clearly enjoyed this blessing from The Spirit of Adonai in her life.
If the Spirit of Adonai is not at work in your life, I pray that God will send it to you. Just believe and have faith, like Abigail and David. You will also obtain the gifts God gives to His Bride.