“So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied.” (Numbers 11:24-25)
The book of Numbers records the 40 year wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness. Herein are contained the multiple complaints the chosen people made against Moses and the Lord. Chapter 11 records the response of the Lord to their complaints about food. He provided then manna which met all their needs and yet they complained about that as well. The people craved more than what God had given. Their sensual appetites were stronger than their desire to serve the Lord. They wanted meat. As the latter part of this chapter reveals, the Lord was angered by this lack of trust. He punished them by giving them what they demanded, much to their regret.
Moses was very upset with the complaints of the people. He found it difficult to lead this group of people who were selfish, immature, and stubborn. The Lord provided him with help by placing the anointing of His Spirit upon the elders. This made Moses glad. His response indicated that he wished the Lord would anoint all the people with the Holy Spirit. This would mean that they would stop troubling him with petty questions and complaints. With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, each person would have direct fellowship with the Lord, know His will, trust in it, and have the strength to carry it out.
Centuries later the Lord did pour out His Spirit on all who had faith in Him, at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was not given as a temporary gift as in the wilderness, but on a permanent basis. Therefore though we feel fear, doubt, and anxiety in the midst of the chaos of life in the 21st Century, we who believe can take comfort and strength in the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. The people in the world do not know how to resolve their problems. They try to find comfort and meaning by fulfilling the desires of the flesh as did the ancient Israelites. We who have faith in Jesus can boldly persevere for we are given great blessings and wisdom through our union with Him. Therefore we will have joy in the midst of tribulation.