Who was the first person that Scripture explicitly says was filled with the Holy Spirit?

Abraham? Moses? David? Nope.

If you have as much to learn about Scripture as I still do, you might be as surprised to learn who it was as I was. Contrary to our inclinations to ascribe this sort of honor to one of the biblical giants, the first person Scripture tells us was filled with the Holy Spirit was not a great preacher, king, or prophet. Instead, he was tradesman, a man named Bezalel, who was commissioned to design and construct the tabernacle.

In Exodus 31:2-5 we read:

See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. (emphasis added)

Now the implications of this are obvious. How many Christians throughout the ages have sold themselves short on what God has for them to do with their lives because they weren't pastors, preachers, or missionaries? How many have assumed that God only fills people in formal ministry with His Spirit for a specific purpose? Sadly, I personally know quite a few of these people myself.

The truth is that the example of Bezalel shows us that God can and will use every person to do great things for His purposes. No task is too small or insignificant. Granted, I'm not going to presume that every task is equally important, but each person is. More importantly than for the fulfillment of a specific task, God imparts to us His Spirit in order that we may have intimate, life-sharing fellowship with Him. Believers who receive the Holy Spirit are receiving nothing short of the whole life of the Triune God, for in the Holy Spirit each Person of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - is objectively present. The Holy Spirit dispenses the fullness and totality of God into our lives. He comes and makes holy where He dwells. The byproduct of this is a fruitful life free from sin and free to be and do all that He wants us to be and do for His sake.

So don't sell yourself short. Don't rob yourself from the fullness of joy that comes from having the fullness of Him in you. God saw it fit to fill Bezalel with His Spirit, and through him accomplished great things. The same is no less true for you.