Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: Inspiration of The Seventy Elders

◄ Holy Spirit: Inspiration of The Seventy Elders ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The inspiration of the seventy elders is a significant event in the Old Testament that highlights the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering and guiding the leaders of Israel. This event is recorded in the Book of Numbers and provides insight into the divine provision for leadership and the distribution of spiritual gifts among God's chosen people.

Biblical Account

The narrative of the seventy elders is found in Numbers 11:16-30. The context of this event is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Moses, burdened by the complaints and needs of the people, expresses his frustration to the LORD. In response, God instructs Moses to gather seventy men from the elders of Israel, known for their leadership and wisdom, to assist him in bearing the responsibility of leading the nation.

Numbers 11:16-17 states: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Bring Me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may 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.'"

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The passage emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in equipping the elders for their task. The Spirit that was upon Moses is shared with the seventy elders, signifying a transfer of divine authority and empowerment. This act demonstrates that the Holy Spirit is not limited to a single individual but can be distributed among many to fulfill God's purposes.

Numbers 11:25 describes the event: "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 serves as a visible sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and activity. Although the prophesying was temporary, it confirmed their divine appointment and the Spirit's empowerment for leadership.

Significance in Israel's Leadership

The inspiration of the seventy elders underscores the necessity of spiritual empowerment for effective leadership. It highlights God's provision for His people by ensuring that leadership is not a solitary burden but a shared responsibility. The event also illustrates the principle that God's Spirit enables His servants to carry out their duties with wisdom and strength beyond their natural abilities.

Furthermore, this event foreshadows the broader outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, where the Spirit is given to all believers, empowering them for service and witness. The sharing of the Spirit among the seventy elders prefigures the communal aspect of the Spirit's work in the Church, as seen in the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the inspiration of the seventy elders reveals the Holy Spirit's role in the continuity of God's covenantal relationship with His people. It affirms that leadership within God's community is divinely ordained and sustained by the Spirit. The event also serves as a reminder of the Spirit's sovereignty in distributing gifts and callings according to God's purposes.

In summary, the inspiration of the seventy elders is a profound demonstration of the Holy Spirit's work in equipping and guiding the leaders of Israel. It highlights the necessity of divine empowerment for leadership and foreshadows the inclusive and communal nature of the Spirit's work in the New Covenant.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 11:17
And I will come down and talk with you there: and I will take of the spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you bear it not yourself alone.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Eldad and Medad
... that was upon Moses, and gave it unto the seventy elders." Some conclude ... of operations,
though they are all under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and if ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

A vindication of the Prophecy in Isa. vii. 14 against the ...
... had been interpreted by the inspiration of God ... been corrupted, and when, after seventy
years, the ... spoken concerning Jechoniah, the [Holy] Spirit foreknowing the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi a vindication of the.htm

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... she go back to the pure fount of inspiration and drink ... If the Holy Ghost will work
among us we shall ... When once the Spirit of God putteth forth His might all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the abiding of the spirit.htm

A Table of the Chief Things.
... Inspiration, where that doth not teach, words without ... Spirit, the Holy Spirit; see
Knowledge, Communion, Revelation ... Without the Spirit none can say that Jesus ...
/.../a table of the chief.htm

The Twelve and the Seventy.
... Immediately after the outpouring of the Spirit at that ... in the Apocalypse, the wall
of the "holy Jerusalem" is ... might have had the light of inspiration, we are ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the twelve and.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... at hand which could furnish, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, both the ... so
the soul of David, touched by the spirit of inspiration, poured forth a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Founder of Christianity.
... chose twelve apostles for the Jews and seventy disciples for ... third day, the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit, the founding ... on every page to the inspiration of his ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm

On Pentecost.
... of moving them to sin, but from the Holy Ghost ... the Resurrection, which was clearly
a divine inspiration; and so ... This Spirit, for He is most wise and most loving ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm

Introduction
... in respect of God, by whose inspiration His Church ... brother," and forcibly contrasts
the spirit of Cyprian ... conclusion, but the appeal to Holy Scripture proves ...
/.../cyprian/the seventh council of carthage under cyprian/introduction.htm

The Critical Reconstruction of the History of the Apostolic Age.
... extended over a period of seventy years before ... way to subjective visions and delusions,
inspiration is replaced ... of the power of the Holy Spirit in regenerating ...
/.../section 22 the critical reconstruction.htm