Put Upon
Numbers 11: 17
Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would rest “upon” individuals. When the Spirit came upon them, they were empowered to do great things. It was the Old Testament version of the intertwined partner relationship with the Holy Spirit which we have been discussing.
In this passage from the book of Numbers, God spoke to Moses regarding the heavy burden of leading the Israelites through the desert. First one sees the recognition that the Spirit was upon Moses. It seems both God and Moses were well aware of the anointing of the Holy Spirit which was upon Moses. Management of over a million people is a burdensome task so God had Moses set out leaders from the tribes, then He took of His own Spirit and put it upon them also in order that they could help Moses lead the people.
This is a key administrative point – leaders and administrative heads should always be people who have the Holy Spirit. God’s intent is not about appointing the most intelligent, or the most learned people. He teaches us to choose and He chooses people who are led by His Spirit.
In this study on the Holy Spirit, I am endeavoring to give you a brief survey of Holy Spirit Scriptures. Of course, I cannot recite all 248 or so in this forum but let me give you some examples of the Holy Spirit resting “upon” someone. This series on the Holy Spirit might prove a good resource for your own study. Remember that the Spirit empowered people. You will likely want to read these in greater context to see the effect the Spirit had on these people and those around them.
Numbers 24: 2
And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
Judges 3: 10
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.
Judges 6: 34
So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him.
1 Samuel 10: 6
Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.
1 Samuel 11: 6
Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
Judges 14: 6
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand.
2 Chronicles 15: 1
Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded.
2 Chronicles 24: 20
Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah.
This study is not about history. History is the study. Through it we learn, but still, that is not the end game. These scriptures demonstrate what is possible in our own lives when we apply ourselves in a collaborative effort with the Holy Spirit. All things are possible when we abide in the leading and company of the Holy Spirit.
