CHOSEN ONES QUALIFIED BY THE SPIRIT.
By Wm. Covert
It is impossible for man when directed by himself to either do or know the thing which is right. This matter is well stated by the prophet where he says, “I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jer. 10:23. But if man unaided of the Lord can not direct himself, certainly he can not with wisdom and safety guide the footsteps of others. It is therefore plain that every one who is chosen to lead in any part of God’s work must be especially directed by the Lord if he properly fulfills his official duties. For this reason the Lord has always been ready to bestow the spirit of wisdom and ability upon the one who is properly selected to fill offices of trust and responsibility in his cause. When Moses was called from directing the flocks of Jethro, to be leader of God’s people from the house of bondage, the Lord gave the man full instruction at every step along the way. Upon this great leader an abundance of the Spirit of God was placed, that he might be able to guide with wisdom the precious charge which had been intrusted to his care. Twice he was shut in with the Lord for forty days and forty nights; and during this time the man in mortal clay became so wholly swallowed up in the Spirit that his face shone with the bright radiance of heavenly glory. The statement is that when he came down from Mount Sinai “Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone. . . . And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.” “And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.” Ex. 34:29, 30, 33. His countenance shone with such brightness that he was compelled to wear a vail while he talked with the rulers and the people. It is not known how long this glorified condition lasted; but it was understood quite fully by the people that Moses was endowed by the Spirit to be their leader; yet after a while the burden became too great for Moses’ physical strength. He then spoke to the Lord about it, and said, “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.” Num. 11:14. Then the Lord told him to select seventy elders from among the people, and have them present themselves before the tabernacle of the congregation; and said the Lord, “I will come down and talk with thee there; and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee; and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee.” Num. 11:17. Moses selected the elders as God directed him. “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.” Verse 25. The Spirit of God placed upon these men qualified them for the work which they had to do. The same principle is illustrated in the history of the man whom God called to do the artistic work in building the earthly sanctuary. The case is stated in this way: “And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezalel; . . . and he hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; and to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in the cutting of stones; to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.” Ex. 35:30-33. By reading the connecting verses it is seen that others were also associated with this man in the work, and they were all taught of the Lord how to do the particular work assigned them. When Moses was finally called to lay down his life’s work, the one to succeed him was named by the Lord; and in the Lord’s own way, the man selected was qualified for the leadership:— “Now after the death of Moses . . . the Lord spake unto Joshua, . . . saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them. . . . There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage; for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their fathers.” Joshua 1:1-6. Here the Lord promised to be with Joshua as he had been with Moses. As Moses was given courage and wisdom by the Spirit of God, so was Joshua likewise strengthened for the work and sustained in it to the end of a long and useful journey.7 After the death of Joshua there follows the book of Judges, which is largely a history of how God worked by his Spirit in preparing leaders to deliver his people out of their troubles. See Judges 2:16. Of Othniel it is written, “And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel.” Judges 3:10. It was not until “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon,” that he was prepared to lead the people out of their troubles. See Judges 6:34. The Spirit gave the man true wisdom, and caused the prophet to have confidence in his leadership. It also gave him humility and good sense enough to refuse to be made king over Israel when that people desired to put a crown upon him. The record has it that “the men of Israel said to Gideon, Rule thou over us. . . . And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” Judges 8:22, 23. Many other instances are cited, which we pass over, and come down to the selection of Saul as king. At the time this man was chosen to the office of king, the Lord talked with him of the help which he should receive that he might be able to discharge the official duties which would rest upon him. It was then said to the prospective king, “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou . . . shalt be turned into another man.” 1 Sam. 10:6. The Lord fulfilled all that he had promised to Saul, but Saul on his part became exalted and refused to be led in humility and wisdom by the good Spirit, and the result was disgrace and failure on the part of the king. David was given wisdom and knowledge directly from God that he might be enabled to properly rule over the people. The same was true also of Solomon, and of many others. In fact, the secret of all the approved success of man is expressed in the scripture which says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6. Happy is that man who constantly heeds this blessed truth, and well is it for that people who permit God through his Spirit to rule over them.