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Filled with the Holy Spirit

Filled with the Holy Spirit 
Day 
Day 10

"And the Spirit of God came upon him."

Text: Numbers 24:2

THE ANOINTING OF SERVANTS OF GOD

The Spirit of God anointed Moses and empowered him for ministry effectively. The same Spirit of God came upon the seventy elders so that they could assist Moses in his work for the Lord. Two others, called Eldad and Medad were also specially blessed in similar fashion (Numbers 11:16-30).

AN EXCEPTIONAL SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES

We have an exceptional set of circumstances when we read about how the Holy Spirit came upon Balaam the false prophet.

“Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel,
he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery,
but he set his face toward the wilderness.
And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped
according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.”
Numbers 24:1-2

1. “To seek to use sorcery”

a) This immediately informs us that Balaam was a false prophet.
b) He was sought by King Balak to curse the children of Israel.
c) Many believed in those days that Balaam had the power to curse or to bless.
d) This is not a fact at all!
e) The power to bless or to curse resides solely in the Lord.

2. This was now the third attempt to curse the children of Israel

a) The two previous attempts to curse had resulted in the pronouncement of blessing.
b) King Balak had promised Balaam a huge reward if he would curse Israel effectively.

3. “And the Spirit of God came upon him”

a) This is an extraordinary set of circumstances.
b) How should we understand this statement?

4. Some considerations may be presented: –

a) This does not mean anointing, for Balaam had proven himself to be a false and wicked prophet.
b) The Spirit of God came upon Balaam to control him.
c) The sovereign power of the Spirit is well-illustrated here.
i) Balaam would not be able to utter a word of curse upon the children of Israel.
ii) The Spirit of God would speak through the mouth of Balaam.
iii) He can only speak the “utterance of… the words of God” (Numbers 24:4).