“And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.”
Context:The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible, and it recounts the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. In this particular chapter (Numbers 11), the Israelites were complaining about their lack of food in the wilderness. Moses, overwhelmed by their complaints, expressed his frustration to God. God then instructs Moses to gather seventy elders from among the people.
The LORD came down in a cloud:In this verse, we see that God manifested His presence by coming down in a cloud. Throughout the Bible, clouds are often associated with God’s presence and His divine interventions. The cloud served as a visible sign of God’s power and authority.
Took of the spirit that was upon him:The “him” mentioned here refers to Moses. God took a portion of the Spirit that was upon Moses and bestowed it upon the seventy elders. This act signified the sharing of Moses’ authority and anointing with the chosen elders.
The spirit rested upon them:When the Spirit of God rested upon the seventy elders, they were empowered to prophesy. This was a remarkable display of God’s power and an affirmation of their leadership positions among the people of Israel.
Prophesied and did not cease:Once the Spirit rested upon the seventy elders, they began to prophesy, speaking forth God’s messages and declaring His will. It is noteworthy that they did not cease prophesying, indicating the ongoing and continuous operation of the Spirit within them.
Lessons from Numbers 11:25:
- God’s chosen leaders:God appointed Moses as the leader of the Israelites, and He later shared His Spirit with the seventy elders, confirming their authority and leadership roles. This highlights the importance of leadership and God’s divine selection of individuals to fulfill specific purposes.
- The empowerment of the Holy Spirit:The Spirit’s descent upon the seventy elders demonstrates the empowering and enabling work of the Holy Spirit. When we yield to God and allow His Spirit to work in and through us, we can be equipped for the tasks He has called us to.
- Unity and cooperation:The sharing of Moses’ spirit with the seventy elders emphasizes the value of unity and teamwork. God’s plan was not limited to Moses alone but involved a collective effort. Cooperation among leaders and the people they serve contributes to the overall success of God’s purposes.
- The ceaseless work of the Spirit:The fact that the elders prophesied and did not cease indicates the continuous operation of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not work intermittently but desires to work consistently in our lives, empowering us for service and bearing witness to the glory of God.
In conclusion, Numbers 11:25 provides a glimpse into God’s manifestation of His presence, the sharing of His Spirit, and the subsequent prophesying of the seventy elders. This passage highlights the importance of godly leadership, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, unity, cooperation, and the ongoing operation of the Spirit in the lives of believers.
