Numbers 11:24-30

NUMBERS—NOTE ON Numbers 11:24 These seventy elders prophesied for only a short time (they did not continue doing it), but this was enough to give them credibility as Moses’ assistants. Their prophesying would have involved speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is unclear whether Eldad and Medad were attached to the group of 70. In any case, they prophesied in a different place (in the camp), whereas the 70 had prophesied around the tent (v. Numbers 11:24). This made their prophesying much more obvious to the other Israelites, which was a concern to Joshua (vv. Numbers 11:27). Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets! Moses’ positive response (v. Numbers 11:29) will later be echoed by the prophet Joel’s vision of the “day of the LORD,” when “your sons and daughters shall prophesy” (Joel 2:28; compare Acts 2:17). When the OT speaks of the work of the Spirit, it is focusing on the empowering of the Spirit for service, rather than on an internal, personal experience.