Numbers 11: 25-29

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On Sunday, I found the First Reading to be quite confusing (Number 11:25-29):

25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did so no more. 26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested upon them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, forbid them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”

Is this passage a statement of the Holy Spirit going beyond Moses and to a select group of elders, rather like the church leadership of both the Pope and all of the Bishops? Is this about shared responsibility for the leadership and right teaching of the Church?

Also, what was the significance of Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp itself?

Thank you to any wise Biblical scholars in the CAF today who can help me.
 
I’ll quote Haydock Bible Commentary first:

Ver. 25. Afterwards. Some give a contrary meaning to the Hebrew, with the Septuagint, Syriac, &c.: “They prophesied, (on that occasion) but they did not continue” to do so; except when they were favoured with the influence of the spirit. When it was requisite, they were enabled to declare God’s will and his praise to the people. (Calmet) — Saul is said to have prophesied when he praised God, 1 Kings x. 5, 10. (Menochius)

Ver. 26. Forth, being lawfully hindered, (Calmet) or out of humility. (St. Jerome, ep. 127.)

Ver. 27. Man. The Rabbins say, without proof, that he was Gersom, the son of Moses, and that the two prophets were half-brothers of the lawgiver, and foretold his death and the persecutions of Gog, &c. (Calmet) — Hermas (11. 2.) refers to some of their predictions: “The Lord is nigh to those who are converts.” See Psalm xxxiii. 19. (Haydock) — But they prophesied probably, by announcing only as men inspired, the praises of God and sentiments of piety, without diving into futurity. (Calmet) — Theodoret (q. 21,) thinks they were not of the 70 judges, but equal in dignity to them. (Cotelier.)

Ver. 28. Chosen among the seventy, and designed, from his youth, to be the general, and successor of Moses; the Hebrew may be understood in all these senses. See Exodus xvii. 10. (Calmet) — Josue was afraid lest they had assumed this air of authority in opposition to Moses. St. John addressed our Saviour, under the same impressions of zeal, Luke ix. 49.

Ver. 30. Camp of the people, from the tabernacle, which was in the midst of it. (Haydock)

It appears these two men had some reason not to be out of the camp with the other elders, but the Spirit of God fell on them just the same. Note that they were elders, so they were not doing anything apart from Moses’ authority, given to him by God.

Yes, they do represent the leadership of the Church and that God dispenses his grace through them. However, God’s grace is not limited to these, since no one can tell God he can’t or shouldn’t give his grace to those he wishes. In a similar way, we are bound to obey the Church and avail ourselves of the graces of the Sacraments, but God is not so bound and can work outside them if he sees fit.
 
Della said:
I’ll quote Haydock Bible Commentary first:

Ver. 25. Afterwards. Some give a contrary meaning to the Hebrew, with the Septuagint, Syriac, &c.: “They prophesied, (on that occasion) but they did not continue” to do so; except when they were favoured with the influence of the spirit. When it was requisite, they were enabled to declare God’s will and his praise to the people. (Calmet) — Saul is said to have prophesied when he praised God, 1 Kings x. 5, 10. (Menochius)

Ver. 26. Forth, being lawfully hindered, (Calmet) or out of humility. (St. Jerome, ep. 127.)

Ver. 27. Man. The Rabbins say, without proof, that he was Gersom, the son of Moses, and that the two prophets were half-brothers of the lawgiver, and foretold his death and the persecutions of Gog, &c. (Calmet) — Hermas (11. 2.) refers to some of their predictions: “The Lord is nigh to those who are converts.” See Psalm xxxiii. 19. (Haydock) — But they prophesied probably, by announcing only as men inspired, the praises of God and sentiments of piety, without diving into futurity. (Calmet) — Theodoret (q. 21,) thinks they were not of the 70 judges, but equal in dignity to them. (Cotelier.)

Ver. 28. Chosen among the seventy, and designed, from his youth, to be the general, and successor of Moses; the Hebrew may be understood in all these senses. See Exodus xvii. 10. (Calmet) — Josue was afraid lest they had assumed this air of authority in opposition to Moses. St. John addressed our Saviour, under the same impressions of zeal, Luke ix. 49.

Ver. 30. Camp of the people, from the tabernacle, which was in the midst of it. (Haydock)

I**t appears these two men had some reason not to be out of the camp with the other elders, but the Spirit of God fell on them just the same. ** Note that they were elders, so they were not doing anything apart from Moses’ authority, given to him by God.

Yes, they do represent the leadership of the Church and that God dispenses his grace through them. However, God’s grace is not limited to these, since no one can tell God he can’t or shouldn’t give his grace to those he wishes. In a similar way, we are bound to obey the Church and avail ourselves of the graces of the Sacraments, but God is not so bound and can work outside them if he sees fit.
Click to expand...
My favorite Jesuit was a guest celebrant yesterday and said "these two guys were very lucky–they were in the wrong place at the right time! 😉
 
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