THE HOLY SPIRIT IN NUMBERS
Dear family,
Turn to Numbers 11:17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. NKJV
Impartation comes about by the Holy Spirit; Spirit to spirit. He is the Spirit of impartation. To impart, according to the English dictionary, is to “give a share of.” God told Moses that He would take of the Spirit that was upon him and put it on the elders of the people. Yet Moses was not going to be left without the same Spirit. This means the anointing can be shared through impartation.
The body of Christ is enriched with different gifts that Jesus the Head of the Church gave when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Eph. 4:7-11) Different ministers of the five-fold ministry deposit something of spiritual significance in our lives. The church is a colorful and interesting display of the Holy Spirit’s expressions. I think each of us could name minister after minister who has deposited something of spiritual significance in our lives.
Sometimes, impartation can take place through the laying on of hands. Look at
Numbers 27:18-20 And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. 20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. NKJV
Did Joshua receive anything when hands were laid on Him?
Deut. 34:9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. NKJV
People who have received impartation by the Holy Spirit are peculiar but not weird. Towards the end of His ministry, the Lord Jesus ‘blew’ on His disciples and imparted something on them.
John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. NKJV
Luke’s account of that event is
Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. NKJV
That’s what He imparted on the disciples; the ability to comprehend the Scriptures. He opened their hearts and imparted understanding on them. From that moment, their minds were anointed to understand the Scriptures.Impartations and especially the laying on of hands should be done through the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, with faith and spiritual hunger, each of us can receive impartations from the Spirit of God as we receive ministry through God’s true servants.
