About four years ago now, this word “overshadow” caught my attention in Luke chapter one and seems to have embedded itself in my spirit ever since. The Holy Spirit brings it back to my remembrance so often. I first began to study it after reading the passage where the angel Gabriel comes to the virgin Mary to tell her she is going to have a son. Remember after she asks him how this could be he says, “the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Powerful verse!
The Greek meaning for the word overshadow is: to throw a shadow upon, to envelope in a shadow, to overshadow. It goes on to say this overshadowing is like a vaporous cloud. In other words, its like a sheer, see-through, or transparent cloud that casts a shadow on a person. It is described as a shining cloud that surrounds and envelopes a person with brightness. And it’s used of the Holy Spirit exerting creative energy upon the womb of the virgin Mary and impregnating it (a use of the word which seems to have been drawn from the familiar Old Testament idea of a cloud as symbolizing the immediate presence and power of God. (Strongs)
The Greek meaning for the word overshadow is: to throw a shadow upon, to envelope in a shadow, to overshadow. It goes on to say this overshadowing is like a vaporous cloud. In other words, its like a sheer, see-through, or transparent cloud that casts a shadow on a person. It is described as a shining cloud that surrounds and envelopes a person with brightness. And it’s used of the Holy Spirit exerting creative energy upon the womb of the virgin Mary and impregnating it (a use of the word which seems to have been drawn from the familiar Old Testament idea of a cloud as symbolizing the immediate presence and power of God. (Strongs)
Imagine that! I believe this overshadowing is available to any of us who believe. I love the thought of the Holy Spirit exerting His creative energy over me and bringing new life, new ideas, new possibilities, new understanding! All of us who believe and have invited Jesus into our lives have been spiritually impregnated by the Son of God! As He increases and I decrease His power is seen and lived out in me in miraculous ways.
There are several other places in scripture where this word or a form of it is used in scripture...
In Exodus 40:35, it says “Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” This is the overshadowing.
Psalm 91:4 says, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (a wall between you and your enemy).”
“While He was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’” Matthew 17:5
“As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” Acts 5:15
What’s the result of the overshadowing according to these scriptures? In Exodus, it is the immediate presence and power of God entering our situation. In Psalm 91, it is the protection and safety of the covering the Holy Spirit provides. In the Matthew passage, Peter, James and John are with Jesus and have just witnessed His transfiguration. They were enveloped with this bright cloud that surrounded them and the voice of God spoke bringing new revelation of who Jesus was. And in Acts, the sick and hurting were healed. Wow!
May we pray for the Holy Spirit to overshadow us and fill us with His wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of the LORD in the coming year (Isaiah 11:2). May 2011 bring the immediate presence and power of God into our lives like never before. God bless you!
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