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Book of Numbers - Chapter 11 - Verse 25

11:25
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.

Meaning

In this particular verse from the book of Numbers, we see the powerful display of God's presence as he comes down in a cloud to speak to Moses. The act of taking some of the spirit that was upon Moses and distributing it among the seventy elders signifies the sharing of divine wisdom and authority among the chosen leaders of the community. When the spirit rested upon them, they were able to prophesy and speak the word of God. This demonstration highlights the importance of spiritual empowerment and collaboration in leadership, as well as the significance of receiving guidance and direction from the divine. It also emphasizes the idea of unity and shared responsibility in carrying out God's work. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the connection between God and his chosen people, and the ways in which he equips and empowers them for the tasks set before them.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Numbers, we see the theological implication of how the spirit of the Lord can be shared among a group of individuals. The imagery of the Lord coming down in a cloud signifies His presence and power. The act of taking the spirit that was on Moses and giving it to the seventy elders shows that the spirit of God can be distributed among chosen servants for a specific purpose. The word "spirit" here can refer to the Holy Spirit, symbolizing the authority, wisdom, and divine inspiration bestowed upon these elders. The result of the spirit resting upon them is that they prophesied, demonstrating that the presence of the spirit can lead to speaking the word of God with power and clarity. This event foreshadows the giving of the Holy Spirit to believers in the New Testament, where believers are empowered to prophesy, speak words of wisdom, and perform other spiritual gifts for the edification of the church.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah came down in the cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.
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