Profile in Leadership: The Seventy Elders – Sharing the Burden of God’s Anointed

I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now…Numbers 11:14-15We don’t know a lot about the seventy elders Moses called to aid him. Scripture does not name them, nor even mention which tribes they represented. What we do know is that they were officers and elders of the people; perhaps all or most were among the “rulers of the thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens” selected in Exodus. More than likely they were older men who had gained influence and respect among the people. The Old Testament mentions the seventy elders only twice, both times to witness God’s presence, power, and glory. But the second time the elders were called, God expands their role. This time, they are not only to witness, but to participate – thus revealing something remarkable about how God works with leaders. “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you,” God told Moses, “and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not have to bear it yourself alone.”When a leader, called by God, has a burden that becomes too great, God provides help…if the leader will ask for it. Not only will the Lord provide helpers to share the load, He will anoint them with His power, just as He did the seventy elders of Israel. Is there a burden you are carrying that you simply need to ask God for help with? What’s keeping you from asking? If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com