[Pooya/Ali Commentary 2:56] A group of seventy (stupid) elders demanded to see Allah and hear His voice, but when the manifestation of the divine glory came on them, they were destroyed (see Araf: 155). The lightning appeared on the demand of the people, therefore, it was not a punishment, and the word mawt refers to cessation of life, not stupor, as the Ahmadi commentator tries to misinterpret this verse. In verse 143 of al Araf wa kharra Musa sa-iqa means Musa fell down senseless, and falamma afaqa means when he recovered, whereas, here, in the case of the elders the word mawt (death or cessation of life) and ba-atha (raising after death) are used. The tendency of Ahmadi commentators to deny miracles is the result of the lack of ability to understand the intellectual development of mankind. The historical events and the reactions of the people in the days of Musa and other prophets are recorded in the Bible. In those days miracles were frequently manifested to convince the people who were not aware of the laws governing the operation of creation, and therefore, could not be convinced through rational arguments. Aqa Mahdi Puya says: The people asked Musa to show them the proof of his prophethood by requesting Allah to appear in person. In their foolishness they did not know that corporeality is for the creatures, not for the uncreated creator, therefore, their demand was met by another proof - the raising after death. (see commentary for verse 4)