Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Specific individuals filled with the Spirit of God

a) Joseph

b) Bezalel and Aholiab

c) Joshua

2. What about the general congregation?

a) Could anyone be filled with the Spirit of God?

b) What do the Scriptures say?

THE SPIRIT OF GOD UPON THE 70 ELDERS

24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, [h]although they never did so again.

26 But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”

29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you [i]zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” 30 And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

Numbers 11:24-30

1. The Spirit of God came upon 70 Elders   (Numbers 11:25a)

2. The same Spirit that was upon Moses.  (Numbers 11:25b)

3. They prophesied   (Numbers 11:25c)

4. Eldad and Medad

a) The same Spirit came upon them

b) They prophesied too

5. The alarm of Joshua expressed to Moses

a) Should they not be stopped?

b) Was Joshua “jealous”   (Numbers 11:29a)

6. Moses’ response

a) His wish that all may be prophets   (Numbers 11:29b)

b) That all may be filled with the Spirit of God   (Numbers 11:29c)

A PROPHECY FROM ISAIAH

1 “Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant,
And Israel whom I have chosen.

2 Thus says the LORD who made you
And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground;
I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,
And My blessing on your offspring;

4 They will spring up among the grass
Like willows by the watercourses.’

5 One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’;
Another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
And name himself by the name of Israel.”

Isaiah 44:1-5

1. God’s gracious regard for Israel

a) My servant   (Isaiah 44:1, 2)

b) My chosen one   (Isaiah 44:1, 2)

2. God’s Promise to His people

a) There is no need to be fearful

b) God will be there to help

c) Wonderful blessings promised:

i) Provision of water for the thirsty

ii) Promise of the Spirit for the descendants

iii) Promise of blessing for the children   (Isaiah 44:3)

iv) They will thrive   (Isaiah 44:4)

3. Tremendous impact on the children

a) Belonging to the LORD

One will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’.   Isaiah 44:5a

b) Belonging to Jacob

Another will call himself by the name of Jacob   Isaiah 44:5b

c) The name of the LORD

Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’s’.   Isaiah 44:5c

d) The name of Israel

And name himself by the name of Israel.   Isaiah 44:5d

CONCLUSION

21 “Remember these, O Jacob,
And Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you, you are My servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!

22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

23 Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel.

Isaiah 44:21-23

1. To pay attention to what God has declared

2. All sins and offenses are swept away

3. To return to the LORD

4. To sing to God for the work of redemption that He has done