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"When the Spirit rested upon them..."

Text: Numbers 11:25

EXPLAINING TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

The Lord had given a wonderfully uplifting word of promise to Moses. He would have help from seventy elders. Moses spoke to the children of Israel concerning this new plan and then he went to gather the seventy elders.

“So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD,
and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people
and placed them around the tabernacle.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him,
and took of the Spirit that was upon him,
and placed the same upon the seventy elders;
and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them,
that they prophesied, although they never did so again.”
Numbers 11:24-25

1. In good order

a) Moses explained what was going to happen.

b) God would come down to meet with them at the Tabernacle.

c) The seventy chosen elders would receive a special anointing of the Holy Spirit.

d) The seventy elders were then gathered and placed around the Tabernacle.

2. The LORD’s presence

a) He came down in His cloud of glory.

b) He spoke only to Moses (to establish that he was still God’s chosen one).

3. The anointing of the seventy elders

a) God took of the Spirit that was upon Moses.

b) This would of course be a reference to the Spirit of God.

c) He placed the same Spirit upon the elders.

4. “The Spirit rested upon them”

a) This is a description of anointing the elders for ministry.

b) This was a sign of approval from the Lord.

5. An accompanying sign given

a) It is the prerogative of God to give a sign or to withhold from giving signs.

b) The Lord chose to give a special sign.

c) The seventy elders were given the special gift of prophecy.

d) However this was a gift that was meant to mark the occasion. They did not become prophets!