“And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”
My Notes
What Does Numbers 11:29 Mean?
"And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!" Joshua is jealous because two men (Eldad and Medad) are prophesying in the camp without being at the tabernacle where the official Spirit-distribution happened (v. 26-28). Joshua wants Moses to stop them. Moses' response is one of the most generous statements in the Old Testament: don't be jealous on my account. I WISH everyone prophesied. I wish ALL the LORD's people had the Spirit.
Moses' wish anticipates Joel 2:28 ("I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh") and its fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). The universal distribution of the Spirit that Moses wished for was prophesied by Joel and accomplished by Christ. Moses' prayer became Pentecost's reality.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where is institutional jealousy (protecting approved channels) preventing you from celebrating the Spirit's work in unexpected places?
- 2.What does Moses' wish (all the LORD's people as prophets) teach about the leader's role in multiplying, not monopolizing, gifts?
- 3.How does the Numbers 11 → Joel 2 → Acts 2 thread describe the progressive fulfillment of universal Spirit-empowerment?
- 4.Where are the 'Eldads and Medads' in your community — people prophesying outside the system — and how should you respond?
Devotional
Don't be jealous for my sake. I wish they ALL prophesied. I wish the Spirit was on ALL of them. Moses' response to unauthorized prophecy isn't: shut them down. It's: I wish there were more of them.
Enviest thou for my sake? Joshua is protecting Moses' monopoly on prophetic authority: if everyone prophesies, what makes Moses special? If the Spirit falls outside the approved channels, what happens to the approved system? Joshua's jealousy is institutional: the unauthorized prophets threaten the established order.
Moses rejects the jealousy entirely: don't protect my position. My position isn't threatened by other people prophesying. If anything, more prophets makes my job easier. The leader whose authority is genuine doesn't feel threatened by the distribution of the same gift to others.
Would God that all the LORD's people were prophets. Moses wishes for universal prophecy — every person in Israel hearing from God directly, speaking God's word, carrying the prophetic gift. The wish is staggering: the man at the top of the prophetic hierarchy wants to demolish the hierarchy. The ultimate prophet wants everyone to be a prophet.
And that the LORD would put his spirit upon them. The mechanism: not training, not seminary, not ordination. The Spirit. Moses' wish is for universal Spirit-empowerment — the same Spirit that rests on Moses distributed to every person in the community. The wish isn't for more education. It's for more Spirit.
Joel prophesies the fulfillment (2:28-29): I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. The universal distribution Moses wished for becomes the prophecy Joel proclaims.
Pentecost delivers the reality (Acts 2:16-18): Peter says: this is what Joel spoke about. The Spirit is being poured out on ALL flesh — men and women, young and old, free and slave. Moses' wish from Numbers 11. Joel's prophecy from Joel 2. Pentecost's fulfillment from Acts 2. The thread runs from Moses' generous desire through Joel's prophetic vision to the church's founding experience.
The Spirit that was on Moses is now on you. The gift that was limited to seventy elders is now distributed to every believer. The universal prophecy Moses wished for is the standard equipment of the Spirit-filled church. Moses would be thrilled. Joshua would need to let go of his jealousy. And the Eldads and Medads of the world — the people prophesying outside the approved channels — are exactly what Moses prayed for.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Moses said unto him, enviest thou for my sake?.... Lest his authority should be weakened, and his honour lessened,…
Occurrences at Kibroth-hattavah. Num 11:4 The mixt multitude - The word in the original resembles our “riff-raff,” and…
We have here the performance of God's word to Moses, that he should have help in the government of Israel.
I. Here is…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture