Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2020, Day 17 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 3rd day of Week 3.
At Elim the Israelites found 12 springs of water or wells and 70 palm trees. It is interesting to notice these specific numbers. Through the centuries, Bible students have suggested symbolic meaning to these numbers. While the parallels are clearly in the Bible, the Bible does not draw any direct relationship between these circumstances. However, these remarkable parallels are worthy of a brief review during our count toward Pentecost.
There were 12 tribes of Israel with 70 elders appointed by Moses. These elders prophesied when God’s Spirit rested on them. And, these 70 were allowed closer to Mt. Sinai than the general population of Israel. These 12 and 70 may correspond in some way to the 12 disciples Jesus sent forth as Apostles, and to the 70 disciples He sent out two-by-two as teachers during His earthly ministry. Each of these groups of 12 and 70 were men God used to spiritually lead and feed His people.
Here are a few scriptures indicating the two sets of 70.
Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
Exodus 24:1 And He said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
Luke 10:1,17 (1) After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. (17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name.
There are many mysteries in the Book God wrote to us. In time we will understand all things, and all mysteries will be finished. Meantime, let’s submit ourselves to God as He leads us. We are still under God’s watchful care, and we are receiving His blessings daily. Enjoy these times of refreshing that surely have come from God’s presence (Acts 3:19).
God bless us all with peace and unity!
Ben Faulkner
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