The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is doing a study of The Holy Spirit. The study will look at who the Holy Spirit is, His role in the Trinity, His interaction with man, His role in and after man's salvation. This is an intense study of the Holy Spirit in scripture. We are using the bible as our primary reference resource. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers
Today we’re going to continue talking about prophets in the Old Testament who were empowered and used by the Holy Spirit. Last week we talked about Elijah and Elisha, Isaiah, and Ezekiel
Remember in our study of Daniel, the dreams that Nebuchadnezzar and later his son, Belshazzar, that they wanted Daniel to interpret them?
Daniel 4:8-9 (NLT)8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
We are not going to read the description of the dream because we should remember it from our study. After he told him the dream he again said that he knows that Daniel can do it because to spirit of the holy gods was in him.
Daniel 4:18 (NLT) “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
He was talking here about the dream of this great tree which was him, Nebuchadnezzar, which was later cut down to a stump but left living. The dream was to warn him that if he didn’t give God the glory for his success he would be cut down and become a mad man forging around for food until he realized that he had been successful because God made him successful.
You notice that Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel had the Holy Spirit in him just as Pharaoh recognized the Holy Spirit in Joseph that’s why he appointed him to take over the administration of the country before and after the famine years. This doesn’t mean that either Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar worship God Almighty as He wants to be worshiped. We know that there is no other God but Jehovah. but these guys not only acknowledged Jehovah but a bunch of other gods. However in Nebuchadnezzar’s case he may have changed and realized that the God the Daniel worshiped was only one who could tell you what He was going to do and then do it. After he crawled around for seven years he looked up to heaven and acknowleded God and his kingdom was restored back to him.
Daniel 4:34 (NLT) “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.
Nebuchadnezzar’s son King Belshazzar had a dream too but his dream, which had tragic consequences also, predicted his death.
Daniel 5:11-12 (NLT)11 There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.12 This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
At this big party Belshazzar sent for the gold and silver cups taken from the from the temple when the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and they used them to drink from while they were praising their idols. Then there was the writing on the wall. Well Daniel, empowered by the Holy Spirit told Belshazzar that the writing essentially said that it’s all over for you and that night he was killed.
Daniel 5:25-30 (NLT)25 “This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.26 This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.27 Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.28 Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.
Micah 2:6-7 (NLT)6 “Don’t say such things,” the people respond. “Don’t prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!”7 Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? Will the LORD’s Spirit have patience with such behavior? If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting.
Micah was prophesying judgement on the wealthy who were oppressing the poor in Israel. This was before the exile and they wanted him to stop.
In chapter 3 he told them why he was telling them what he was telling them.
Micah 3:8 (NLT) But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the LORD. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.
He was contrasting himself to false prophets.
Micah 3:5-7 (NLT)5 This is what the LORD says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.6 Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. Darkness will cover you, putting an end to your predictions. The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end.7 Then you seers will be put to shame, and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced. And you will cover your faces because there is no answer from God.”
2 Chronicles 15:1-8 (NLT)1 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded,2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them.4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.5 “During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land.6 Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem.7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”8 When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, which stood in front of the entry room of the LORD’s Temple.
Azariah was a prophet he and Obed are only in this one place in the bible and nothing else is known about him. The Holy Spirit came upon and empowered him to go to the Asa who was a king of Judah with this illustration from Israel’s past during the time of the Judges when they turned away from God then after turning back to Him and He raised up a Judge. Asa took heed and removed the idols from Judah and the nation gathered in Jerusalem at what may have been the Feast of Weeks, which is Pentecost, one of the annual festivals required under the Mosaic law and they again entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers.
There was a time when Judah was under attack by neighboring nations. Jehoshaphat was the king at that time. He was pretty shook up and called for everybody to fast.
2 Chronicles 20:13-17 (NLT)13 As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children,14 the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!”
Jehaziel is not described as a prophet here or anywhere else in the bible. It appears that he was just a man who the Spirit of the Lord came upon and who prophesied. He was a Levite and as a descendant of Asap may have been a musician or a singer. As a matter of fact he may have been inspired to write Psalm 83 which seems to be about this incident.
After hearing what Jehaziel said here’s what happened. When you read it you will remember one of Pastor’s favorite scriptures and one that he says he quotes all the time (2 Chronicles 20:21):
2 Chronicles 20:18-24 (NLT)18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!”22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
We will continue next week with others that the Old Testament identifies and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you can get through them next week we will look at the Holy Spirit in prophecies about Israel’s future, about the Holy Spirit empowering the Messiah, Jesus; and what the Old Testament tells us about the future ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Daniel
Remember in our study of Daniel, the dreams that Nebuchadnezzar and later his son, Belshazzar, that they wanted Daniel to interpret them?
Daniel 4:8-9 (NLT)8 At last Daniel came in before me, and I told him the dream. (He was named Belteshazzar after my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)9 “I said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too great for you to solve. Now tell me what my dream means.
We are not going to read the description of the dream because we should remember it from our study. After he told him the dream he again said that he knows that Daniel can do it because to spirit of the holy gods was in him.
Daniel 4:18 (NLT) “‘Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
He was talking here about the dream of this great tree which was him, Nebuchadnezzar, which was later cut down to a stump but left living. The dream was to warn him that if he didn’t give God the glory for his success he would be cut down and become a mad man forging around for food until he realized that he had been successful because God made him successful.
You notice that Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel had the Holy Spirit in him just as Pharaoh recognized the Holy Spirit in Joseph that’s why he appointed him to take over the administration of the country before and after the famine years. This doesn’t mean that either Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar worship God Almighty as He wants to be worshiped. We know that there is no other God but Jehovah. but these guys not only acknowledged Jehovah but a bunch of other gods. However in Nebuchadnezzar’s case he may have changed and realized that the God the Daniel worshiped was only one who could tell you what He was going to do and then do it. After he crawled around for seven years he looked up to heaven and acknowleded God and his kingdom was restored back to him.
Daniel 4:34 (NLT) “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.
Nebuchadnezzar’s son King Belshazzar had a dream too but his dream, which had tragic consequences also, predicted his death.
Daniel 5:11-12 (NLT)11 There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.12 This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
At this big party Belshazzar sent for the gold and silver cups taken from the from the temple when the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and they used them to drink from while they were praising their idols. Then there was the writing on the wall. Well Daniel, empowered by the Holy Spirit told Belshazzar that the writing essentially said that it’s all over for you and that night he was killed.
Daniel 5:25-30 (NLT)25 “This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.26 This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.27 Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.28 Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.30 That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.
Micah
Micah 2:6-7 (NLT)6 “Don’t say such things,” the people respond. “Don’t prophesy like that. Such disasters will never come our way!”7 Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? Will the LORD’s Spirit have patience with such behavior? If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting.
Micah was prophesying judgement on the wealthy who were oppressing the poor in Israel. This was before the exile and they wanted him to stop.
In chapter 3 he told them why he was telling them what he was telling them.
Micah 3:8 (NLT) But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the LORD. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.
He was contrasting himself to false prophets.
Micah 3:5-7 (NLT)5 This is what the LORD says: “You false prophets are leading my people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on those who refuse to feed you.6 Now the night will close around you, cutting off all your visions. Darkness will cover you, putting an end to your predictions. The sun will set for you prophets, and your day will come to an end.7 Then you seers will be put to shame, and you fortune-tellers will be disgraced. And you will cover your faces because there is no answer from God.”
Others who were empowered by the Holy Spirit
Now we are going to look at some others who spoke to men for God who were empowered by the Holy Spirit.Azariah
Azariah was a prophet he and Obed are only in this one place in the bible and nothing else is known about him. The Holy Spirit came upon and empowered him to go to the Asa who was a king of Judah with this illustration from Israel’s past during the time of the Judges when they turned away from God then after turning back to Him and He raised up a Judge. Asa took heed and removed the idols from Judah and the nation gathered in Jerusalem at what may have been the Feast of Weeks, which is Pentecost, one of the annual festivals required under the Mosaic law and they again entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers.
Jehaziel
2 Chronicles 20:13-17 (NLT)13 As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children,14 the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!”
Jehaziel is not described as a prophet here or anywhere else in the bible. It appears that he was just a man who the Spirit of the Lord came upon and who prophesied. He was a Levite and as a descendant of Asap may have been a musician or a singer. As a matter of fact he may have been inspired to write Psalm 83 which seems to be about this incident.
After hearing what Jehaziel said here’s what happened. When you read it you will remember one of Pastor’s favorite scriptures and one that he says he quotes all the time (2 Chronicles 20:21):
2 Chronicles 20:18-24 (NLT)18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!”22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
Here's his favorite verse in the KJV
2 Chronicles 20:21 (KJV) 21
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers
unto the LORD, and that should
praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say,
Praise the LORD; for his mercy
endureth for ever.
He says that whenever he is going into a difficult situation he prepares by repeating this verse of scripture over and over as he's driving or walking to do whatever it is that he has to do. Just as the army of Judah won without having to fight he wins.
We will continue next week with others that the Old Testament identifies and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you can get through them next week we will look at the Holy Spirit in prophecies about Israel’s future, about the Holy Spirit empowering the Messiah, Jesus; and what the Old Testament tells us about the future ministry of the Holy Spirit.
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