The people of Israel were sad because of the calamity that had befallen their nation. They were going into exile. Speaking through the prophet, God made it clear that it was their fault - they were being punished for wickedness and idolatry. They had betrayed the God who had done so much for them. But no one was more heartbroken than God, who took no joy in this decision. Even then God uttered words of encouragement, reassuring them that this was temporary and he would come to save them. God never turns his back on us or abandons us even when we have to suffer the consequences of our bad choices. Jesus gave the seventy-two a lot of spiritual power for their mission. Indeed, even Satan was thrown down, for the critical part of Jesus' mission had arrived. Some of them were overly impressed with themselves so Jesus warned them that these powers were nothing - far more important was the fact that their names were written in heaven. The power that they were given and the things that were revealed to them were not rewards for cleverness, education, or achievement. They were given because of the openness of their hearts and minds and their desire to do the will of God. Jesus is our teacher and revealer and it is to him we turn for enlightenment and the gift of the spirit. We are all capable of great things in the Lord.