Numbers 11:24 - Meaning and Application

Here we see God keep his word to Moses and give him help in governing Israel.

Moses had been shaken by the people’s uproar, but communion with God calmed him and brought him back to himself. So he did his part, just as God had arranged. He brought the seventy elders before the Lord, gathered around the tabernacle (Numbers 11:24), so they could stand ready to receive God’s grace where he made himself known. The people could also see their solemn calling. Those who hope for God’s favor must humbly offer themselves and their service to him.

God was not slow to do his part. He gave some of his Spirit to the seventy elders (Numbers 11:25). This enabled men whose natural ability and training were no better than their neighbors to speak and act in an unusual way, showing that they were moved by divine inspiration. They prophesied, and they kept doing so all that day, and some think only that day. They likely spoke to the people about the things of God, and perhaps they explained the law they had recently received with great clarity, fullness, and readiness of speech, so that everyone who heard them could see that God was truly with them (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). In a later time, Saul was marked out for rule by the gift of prophecy that came on him for a day and a night (1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:11). When Moses was first to lead Israel out of Egypt, Aaron was appointed as his prophet, his spokesperson (Exodus 7:1). But now that God had called Aaron to other work, Moses had seventy prophets to help him in his place. Those are best fitted to rule in God’s people who know divine things well and are able to teach in a helpful way.

There was also a special case involving Eldad and Medad, probably two brothers. They had been chosen by Moses to assist in the government, but they did not go out to the tabernacle with the others (Numbers 11:26). Calvin thought the summons may have reached them too late because they were out of the way. Most people think they stayed behind from a sense of modesty and humility. Feeling their weakness and unworthiness, they wanted to be excused from public office. That attitude was honorable, but their failure to obey the summons was still a fault.

Still, the Spirit of God found them in the camp, where they were hidden among the baggage, and there they prophesied. That is, they used their gift in prayer, preaching, and praise in some private tent. The Spirit of God is not limited to the tabernacle. Like the wind, he blows where he wills (John 3:8). There is nowhere we can go to escape that Spirit. It was also a wise providence that these two were absent, because it showed clearly that the elders were moved by a divine Spirit. Moses had not given them that Spirit, God had. They had modestly declined advancement, but God pressed it on them anyway. They even received the honor of being named when the others were not. Those who humble themselves will be lifted up, and those least eager for power are often most fit to govern.

When Moses heard of this, someone reported, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp” (Numbers 11:27). The report seems to have treated it as an irregular thing, as if there were a separate gathering in some tent, away from Moses’ oversight and apart from the rest of the elders. Joshua, Moses’ servant and close aide, moved to stop them: “My lord Moses, forbid them” (Numbers 11:28). It is likely Joshua himself was one of the seventy, which made him all the more protective of their office. He assumed they were not under any irresistible impulse, because the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets. So he wanted them either to stop prophesying altogether or to come to the tabernacle and join the rest in orderly service. He did not ask that they be punished for what they had done, only restrained in the future. His motive was good. He was not acting from personal dislike, but from a sincere concern for the unity of the church and the honor of God and Moses.

Moses rejected Joshua’s request and rebuked him for it: “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them” (verse 29). Even though Joshua was Moses’ close friend and spoke out of respect for him, Moses still corrected him, and through him all who share that spirit. We must not secretly resent the gifts, grace, or usefulness of others. John’s disciples made that mistake when they envied Christ’s honor because it seemed to lessen their master’s (John 3:26). We also must not become hot and harsh over other people’s weaknesses. Even if Eldad and Medad had acted irregularly, Joshua was too quick and too sharp with them. Our zeal must be ruled by meek wisdom, because human anger does not produce the righteousness God wants (James 1:20). We must not turn even good and useful men into leaders of a party (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). And we must not rush to condemn or silence those who differ from us, as if they were not following Christ because they do not follow him with us (Mark 9:38).

Moses had a better spirit. He would never have silenced these two or quenched the Spirit in them. Instead, he wished that all the Lord’s people were prophets, meaning that God would put his Spirit on all of them. He did not mean that unqualified people should be set up as prophets, or that the gift of prophecy would become common in that way. He was expressing his love for all God’s people, his delight in the gifts of others, and how far he was from being offended by Eldad and Medad prophesying under his eye. Paul showed the same kind of spirit when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by men who meant to add to his chains (Philippians 1:16). We should be glad when God is served and honored, and good is done, even if it lowers our own standing or the standing of our way.

The newly appointed elders then took up their work at once (Numbers 11:30). Once their call had been clearly confirmed by their prophesying, they went with Moses to the camp and attended to their duties. Having received the gift, they served faithfully as good stewards.

Moses was now glad that so many others were sharing his work and honor with him. Those who want power should believe Moses’ witness that government is a burden. It is a burden of care and trouble for those who take their duty seriously. For those who do not, it will be an even heavier burden on the day of judgment, when they face the sentence of the unprofitable servant who buried his talent.

Those who are in power should follow Moses’ example. They should not look down on the advice and help of others, but should welcome it and be thankful for it. They should not try to keep wisdom and authority all to themselves. There is safety in many counselors.