The account given us of their appointment is singularly interesting.  Six men out of each of the twelve tribes were summoned to the Tabernacle, solemnly set apart and filled with the Spirit—­but two of the men—­Eldad and Medad—­were absent “They were of them written to” is the exact phrase—­and the fact that they received a written summons denotes a higher and more general culture among that ancient people than is generally imagined to have existed.  Yet it is what might be reasonably expected, for they had come out of Egypt, the most civilised power then in the world, a country where the usual writing materials were exclusively made.  Though the Israelites had been only slaves there, they would doubtless be familiar with the art of writing, for the men of that race have never yet lagged behind any people among whom they have lived.

Seventy of the men thus summoned came together promptly, and were ranged in a semicircle before the Tabernacle.  Then, in the sight of all the people, the cloud descended, wrapped them all in impenetrable mist, as a sign that the chosen men were being mysteriously baptised with the Spirit, and when again they emerged they began to prophesy.  It was the ancient counterpart of the day of Pentecost, when the disciples met, and the Spirit came upon them as a mighty, rushing wind, and they began to speak with other tongues, as men chosen and inspired by God.

In the 25th verse of the eleventh chapter of Numbers, it is said that “the Lord took of the spirit that was upon Moses, and gave it unto the seventy elders.”  Some conclude from this statement that, as a punishment for his intemperate prayer, the wisdom of Moses was thus lessened, while others were enriched at his expense.  But wisdom, and all gifts similar to it, are not diminished by distribution.  If we impart information, we do not lessen our own store of knowledge.  If we give of our love lavishly, yet affection is not lessened by such outpouring.  The spread of fire over what is inflammable increases its intensity.  Though we light a thousand candles from one which burned alone at first, it still burns brightly as before.  So is it with the Spirit of whose fulness we all receive.  No Christian man is poorer because his brother is enriched with grace, nor was Moses. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth.”

It is time that we turned to the two men, Eldad and Medad, who, although summoned with their brethren, did not come to the assembly at the Tabernacle.  They may have been absent from their tents when the papyrus letter was delivered, and would not be quickly found in the vast camp.  Be this as it may, what followed is evidence that they did not wilfully disobey the summons, and that their absence was not due to any bad motive.  For some reason unknown to us they failed to put in an appearance at the critical time, when others of the elect were receiving the mysterious but efficient grace of the Spirit.