It meant also expansion.  In the passing from a lower to a higher condition, we cannot now realise the quick change which would pass over the material framework of the patriarch, but that it would be etherialised so as to be “a heavenly body” marvellously endowed with new powers of sense, of insight and locomotion, fit to be the instrument of a soul fully redeemed from the consequences of sin, we cannot doubt; and for thousands of generations has that soul sunned itself in the brightest fellowships and employments of the highest heaven.

ELDAD AND MEDAD

BY REV.  ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B.

NUMBERS xi. 24-30.

Nothing is known of these two men beyond the incident recorded in the Book of Numbers; but this is so remarkable and significant, that it well repays careful study.

The Israelites had been once more displaying suspicion and ingratitude.  Turning with loathing from the manna, they whimpered, like spoilt children, for the fish and flesh they had enjoyed in Egypt, and murmured against God and against Moses.  The patience of their leader, under this new provocation, completely broke down, so that he went so far as to accuse God Himself of being a hard taskmaster, who had laid too much upon him.  With infinite forbearance, allowance was made for the manner in which Divine counsel and help had been asked for, and the promise was graciously fulfilled, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.  He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  God dealt with his servant as a father at his best will deal with his child who runs to him, hurt and bruised, in a passion of tears.  Instead of beginning with an angry rebuke, help and relief are first given, and then in a few calm words the needed counsel is proffered.  It was in a spirit of patient love that God appointed elders from among the people to help his over-wrought servant and share his heavy burden.

Moses was, no doubt, justified in saying, “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.”  Indeed it was well for him, as it is for us all, to feel the need there is for human sympathy and Divine aid.  Self-contained, self-reliant men are not the highest type of humanity, and they are sometimes for their own good visited by anxieties and responsibilities which compel them to cry, “Lord help me.”  Thus was it with Moses.  Indeed, our Lord Himself shared that experience, when for our sakes He became man.  He chose comrades who were a blessing to Himself, although He was a far greater blessing to them.  He took them with Him when he went forth to confront the crises of His life—­on the Mount of Transfiguration, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, where His sorrow was intensified by their failure to watch with Him.  He had three specially intimate friends.  He called twelve to be apostles, and sent forth seventy as missioners—­an arrangement in which we see the New Testament counterpart of the choosing of these seventy-two elders, to rule and judge the Israelites, and thus share the responsibility of Moses.