Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied--but they never did so again. Then the LORD came down in the cloudThe phrase "came down in the cloud" signifies a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humankind. In the Hebrew context, the cloud often represents God's presence and glory, as seen in Exodus 13:21, where God leads the Israelites by a pillar of cloud. This imagery underscores God's transcendence and immanence, His ability to be both above and among His people. The cloud serves as a protective veil, shielding the people from the full intensity of God's holiness, which is too overwhelming for sinful humanity to behold directly. and spoke to him
The act of God speaking to Moses highlights the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader. In Hebrew, the word for "spoke" (דִּבֶּר, dibber) implies a direct and personal communication. This divine dialogue emphasizes the role of Moses as a mediator between God and the Israelites, a precursor to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament. It also reflects the importance of listening to God's voice, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. and He took some of the Spirit that was on him
The "Spirit" here refers to the Ruach, the breath or wind of God, symbolizing His power and presence. The act of taking "some of the Spirit" from Moses and distributing it to the elders does not imply a diminishment of Moses' spiritual authority but rather an extension of God's empowering presence. This sharing of the Spirit prefigures the New Testament Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit is poured out on all believers, enabling them to fulfill God's mission. and placed the Spirit on the seventy elders
The selection of seventy elders is significant, reflecting a complete and representative leadership for the community. In Jewish tradition, the number seventy often symbolizes completeness and universality, as seen in the seventy nations listed in Genesis 10. By placing the Spirit on these elders, God equips them to share in the leadership burden, ensuring that His guidance and wisdom are accessible to the entire community. This act of delegation underscores the biblical principle of shared leadership and the importance of community in God's plan. As the Spirit rested on them
The resting of the Spirit signifies a settled and enduring presence, not a fleeting or temporary empowerment. In Hebrew, the word for "rested" (נָחָה, nachah) conveys a sense of peace and stability. This resting of the Spirit is a foretaste of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers, as promised in the New Covenant. It highlights the transformative power of God's Spirit, enabling ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary tasks for His kingdom. they prophesied
Prophesying here indicates that the elders were given the ability to speak forth God's truth, a sign of divine authentication and empowerment. In the biblical context, prophecy is not merely foretelling the future but also forth-telling God's will and purposes. This prophetic activity serves as a confirmation of their divine appointment and a demonstration of God's active involvement in guiding His people. but they never did so again
This phrase suggests that the prophetic experience was a unique, one-time event, serving a specific purpose in affirming the elders' roles. It underscores the sovereignty of God in dispensing His gifts according to His will and timing. The temporary nature of this prophetic activity contrasts with the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all believers in the New Testament, highlighting the progressive unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who intervenes directly in the affairs of His people. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicates His will and who is the primary recipient of God's Spirit. 3. The Seventy EldersChosen leaders among the Israelites who were endowed with the Spirit to assist Moses in leading the people. 4. The CloudA manifestation of God's presence, often used in the Old Testament to signify His glory and guidance. 5. ProphesyingThe act of speaking under divine inspiration, which the seventy elders did as a sign of the Spirit's presence. Teaching Points The Importance of God's PresenceGod's presence, symbolized by the cloud, is essential for guidance and leadership. We should seek His presence in our daily lives through prayer and worship. Shared Leadership and EmpowermentGod empowers others to share in leadership responsibilities. In our communities, we should recognize and support the gifts and callings of others. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit equips and enables believers for service. We should be open to the Spirit's work in our lives, allowing Him to guide and empower us. Temporary vs. Permanent EmpowermentThe elders prophesied only once, indicating a temporary empowerment. In contrast, the New Testament offers believers a permanent indwelling of the Spirit, encouraging us to live continually in His power. Obedience and FaithfulnessThe elders' experience was a result of obedience to God's command. Our faithfulness in small tasks can lead to greater responsibilities and blessings. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of God, as symbolized by the cloud, influence your understanding of His guidance in your life today? 2. In what ways can you support and empower others in your community to share in leadership and service? 3. How can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? 4. What are some ways you can ensure that your spiritual empowerment is not just a one-time event but a continual experience? 5. Reflect on a time when obedience to God led to unexpected blessings or responsibilities. How can this encourage you in your current walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19The cloud as a symbol of God's presence is also seen at Mount Sinai, where God gives the Law to Moses. Joel 2 and Acts 2The outpouring of the Spirit on the seventy elders prefigures the later outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers at Pentecost. 1 Samuel 10The Spirit coming upon Saul and causing him to prophesy parallels the experience of the seventy elders. John 14Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples, indicating the continuation of God's presence and guidance through the Spirit. People Eldad, Israelites, Joshua, Medad, Moses, NunPlaces Egypt, Hazeroth, Kibroth-hattaavah, Paran, TaberahTopics Cease, Cloud, Elders, Keepeth, Pass, Placed, Prophesied, Prophesy, Prophets, Putteth, Repeat, Rest, Rested, Resting, Seventy, Spake, Speaketh, Spirit, Spoke, TalkDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 11:25 1443 revelation, OT
4805 clouds
5727 old age, attitudes Numbers 11:4-34 4438 eating Numbers 11:24-25 1654 numbers, 11-99
7719 elders, as leaders Numbers 11:24-27 3275 Holy Spirit, in the church Numbers 11:25-29 3272 Holy Spirit, in OT
3281 Holy Spirit, inspiration Library April 12. "They were as it Were, Complainers" (Num. xi. 1).
"They were as it were, complainers" (Num. xi. 1). There is a very remarkable phrase in the book of Numbers, in the account of the murmuring of the children of Israel in the wilderness. It reads like this: "When the people, as it were, murmured." Like most marginal readings it is better than the text, and a great world of suggestive truth lies back of that little sentence. In the distance we may see many a vivid picture rise before our imagination of people who do not dare to sin openly and unequivocally, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Baptist's Testimony.
"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.... John beareth witness of Him, and crieth, saying, This was He of whom I said, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. For of His fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I Third Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 16-21. 16 Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified."--John vii. 39. We have come to the most difficult part in the discussion of the work of the Holy Spirit, viz., the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the tenth day after the ascension. In the treatment of this subject it is not our aim to create a new interest in the celebration of Pentecost. We consider this almost impossible. Man's nature is too unspiritual for this. But we shall reverently endeavor to give a clearer insight …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 11:25 NIVNumbers 11:25 NLTNumbers 11:25 ESVNumbers 11:25 NASBNumbers 11:25 KJV
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