The event of the Spirit coming upon the elders of Israel is a significant moment in the Old Testament, illustrating God's provision and empowerment for leadership within His chosen people. This occurrence is primarily documented in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 11:16-30.

Context and Background

The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, were journeying through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses. As the demands of leading such a large group became overwhelming, Moses expressed his burden to the LORD. In response, God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel, men known to be leaders and officials among the people, to assist him in bearing the responsibility of leadership.

The Divine Appointment

In Numbers 11:16-17, the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be elders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself."

This passage highlights the divine initiative in appointing leaders and the necessity of the Spirit's empowerment for effective leadership. The Spirit, which had been upon Moses, was to be shared with the seventy elders, signifying a transfer and sharing of divine authority and wisdom.

The Outpouring of the Spirit

As recorded in Numbers 11:24-25, Moses gathered the seventy elders around the Tent of Meeting. "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they did not do so again."

The prophesying of the elders served as a visible and audible sign of the Spirit's presence and empowerment. This temporary manifestation of prophecy confirmed their divine appointment and equipped them for their role in assisting Moses.

Eldad and Medad

An interesting aspect of this event is the account of Eldad and Medad, two of the seventy elders who remained in the camp and did not go to the Tent of Meeting. Despite their absence, the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp (Numbers 11:26). When Joshua, Moses' assistant, expressed concern about their prophesying, Moses responded in Numbers 11:29, "Are you jealous on my account? If only all the LORD’s people were prophets, and the LORD would place His Spirit on them!"

Moses' response reflects a desire for a broader outpouring of the Spirit among God's people, a theme that resonates with later prophetic and New Testament expectations of the Spirit's work.

Theological Significance

The event of the Spirit on the elders underscores several theological themes:

1. Divine Empowerment for Leadership: The Spirit's presence is essential for those called to lead God's people, providing wisdom, guidance, and the ability to bear the burdens of leadership.

2. Shared Leadership: The distribution of the Spirit among the seventy elders illustrates the biblical principle of shared leadership and the importance of community in governance.

3. Prophetic Manifestation: The prophesying of the elders serves as a sign of the Spirit's activity and a foretaste of the prophetic ministry that would be more fully realized in the New Testament.

4. Inclusivity of the Spirit's Work: Moses' wish for all of God's people to be prophets anticipates the New Covenant promise of the Spirit's outpouring on all believers, as seen in Joel 2:28-29 and fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2.

The account of the Spirit on the elders remains a powerful testament to God's provision and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in equipping leaders for service in His kingdom.