Num 11:16-30 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 11:16-30: 11:16-30 When Jethro proposed a judicial hierarchy (Exod 18:13-26 ), he was concerned with practical matters, as were the tribal leaders who helped Moses with the registration (Num 1:5-15 ). By contrast, this group of seventy ... elders would provide Israel with spiritual guidance. They needed a share of God’s Spirit that already rested upon Moses and made him the Lord’s special spokesman. Their capacity as leaders depended on the presence of God’s Spirit (cp. 1 Sam 10:6 ; 19:20 ; Joel 2:28 ; Acts 2:16-18 ; 1 Cor 12:10 ; 2 Pet 1:20-21 ).

a11:16-30►

bExod 18:13-26►

cNum 1:5-15►

d1 Sam 10:6►

e19:20►

fJoel 2:28►

gActs 2:16-18►

h1 Cor 12:10►

i2 Pet 1:20-21►

j11:25►

kActs 2:4►

l1 Cor 14:2►

m11:28-29►

nNum 12:3►

oMark 9:38-40►

‏ Numbers 11:16-30

Summary for Num 11:16-30: 11:16-30 ^a When Jethro proposed a judicial hierarchy (Exod 18:13-26 ^b), he was concerned with practical matters, as were the tribal leaders who helped Moses with the registration (Num 1:5-15 ^c). By contrast, this group of seventy ... elders would provide Israel with spiritual guidance. They needed a share of God’s Spirit that already rested upon Moses and made him the Lord’s special spokesman. Their capacity as leaders depended on the presence of God’s Spirit (cp. 1 Sam 10:6 ^d; 19:20 ^e; Joel 2:28 ^f; Acts 2:16-18 ^g; 1 Cor 12:10 ^h; 2 Pet 1:20-21 ⁱ).
11:25 ^j We are not told what happened when the Spirit rested upon them and they prophesied. Whatever happened (possibly ecstatic utterances; cp. Acts 2:4 ^k; 1 Cor 14:2 ^l), it was a unique occurrence.
Summary for Num 11:28-29: 11:28-29 ^m Joshua’s zealous protest was prompted by his jealousy in a worthy but immature desire to safeguard his master’s status. Moses was humble (Num 12:3 ⁿ) and was not threatened by Eldad and Medad’s prophecy. Instead, he was magnanimous about sharing the spotlight and happy to learn that God was working through others in such special ways. Moses had leadership qualities that the younger Joshua had not yet acquired (cp. Mark 9:38-40 ^o).