Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.
Numbers 11:25 NIV
In fulfilment of His promise (v.16), God manifested His presence to Moses and the appointed elders. He descended to meet Moses and the elders chosen per His instructions. After speaking to Moses, He transferred some of Moses’ spiritual power to the seventy elders. This event underscores God’s faithfulness. God is not human; He doesn’t lie or change His mind. When He speaks, He acts, and when He promises, He fulfils. (Numbers 23:19)
Interestingly, even those elders absent from the Tent of Meeting prophesied. Eldad and Medad, though listed among the elders, stayed in the camp instead of going to the tent. Yet, the Spirit rested on them, and they prophesied within the camp (v.26). This emphasises God’s sovereignty; He grants gifts freely, exceeding expectations. His blessings are not confined to specific locations or circumstances. Therefore, you can trust God’s promises to manifest in your life.
However, it’s worth noting that although the elders prophesied when the Spirit descended upon them, they never did so again. This raises questions about the reason for their one-time prophetic manifestation. Was it God’s plan or a consequence of the people’s actions?
In contrast, Saul, another individual blessed with the Spirit’s power, also prophesied. Unlike the elders, his encounters were not one-off events (1 Samuel 10:10). During one encounter, the Spirit’s power overwhelmed him to the extent that he couldn’t recover for an entire day.
So, Saul went out to the camps near Ramah. The Spirit of God came on Saul, and he also began prophesying. He prophesied all the way to the camps at Ramah. Saul even took off his clothes. He lay there naked all day and through the night. So even Saul prophesied there in front of Samuel. That is why people say, “Is Saul also one of the prophets?”
1 Samuel 19:23-24 ERV
The story of the elders challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual gifts. Consider whether you’ve received a divine gift meant to last a lifetime but only experienced it for a short time. Have we received a gift from God that seems dormant or less impactful than initially experienced? Where is the initial zeal we felt to share our faith? Perhaps indifference has settled in, leaving us hesitant to speak to those around us.
The key is not to dwell on the temporary nature of the elders’ spiritual gift but to actively cultivate the gifts we possess. Let’s not allow our actions to contradict the initial outward expression of God’s grace in our lives. Remember, God’s faithfulness is constant, and the impact of our gifts can be lasting if we choose to nurture them.
Let this story be a reminder: We are called to live a life that reflects God’s enduring faithfulness. Let the spiritual gifts He bestows be a catalyst for ongoing growth and service. Don’t allow the fire to dwindle; instead, actively fan it and share the light with others. Remember, a life marked by the consistent use of God’s gifts is a life that truly glorifies Him.
