“And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.”
Context: Numbers 11 describes an incident that occurred in the wilderness after the Israelites had been delivered from Egypt and were journeying toward the Promised Land. The people of Israel had become discontented with the manna that God provided them and were craving meat. They complained and wept to Moses about their desire for different food. In response to their grumbling, God promised to provide them with meat for a whole month, but He also warned them of the consequences of their craving. Moses doubted God’s ability to provide such a vast amount of meat, which led to a conversation between God and Moses. As a result, God appointed seventy elders to assist Moses in bearing the burden of leading the people.
Bible Study:
The identity of Joshua:
– Joshua was the son of Nun and one of the young men who served Moses. He would later become Moses’ successor and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
– In this verse, Joshua is referred to as “the servant of Moses,” indicating his position and role alongside Moses.
Joshua’s response:
– When Joshua heard that two men, Eldad and Medad, were prophesying in the camp, he expressed concern to Moses, saying, “My lord Moses, forbid them.”
– Joshua’s reaction might have been motivated by a desire to protect Moses’ authority as the leader of the Israelites. He saw these men prophesying, and it seemed to him that they were encroaching upon Moses’ role.
Moses’ response:
– Moses, in contrast to Joshua’s concern, displayed a different perspective. He said to Joshua, “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!” (Numbers 11:29, KJV).
– Moses recognized that the work of God’s Spirit was not limited to him alone or a select few. He desired that all of God’s people would have the privilege of prophesying and experiencing the presence of the Lord.
Lessons and applications:
- Unity and cooperation: Joshua’s concern for Moses’ authority highlights the importance of unity and cooperation within a community. However, it is also essential to recognize that God’s work is not limited to one person or a specific group. We should be open to God’s work in and through others, supporting and encouraging one another in fulfilling God’s purposes.
- Recognition of God’s Spirit: Moses’ response underscores the recognition of God’s Spirit at work among His people. The outpouring of the Spirit is not exclusive to specific individuals but can manifest in various ways through different people. We should be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and acknowledge God’s work in and through others, celebrating the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ.
- Humility and openness: Joshua’s concern, while well-intentioned, might have revealed a sense of possessiveness or a limited view of God’s work. It is essential for us to approach situations with humility and openness, recognizing that God can work in unexpected ways and through different individuals.
- Encouraging others: Moses’ desire for all of God’s people to prophesy reflects his heart for the spiritual growth and empowerment of the community. As followers of Christ, we should encourage and support one another in using our gifts and talents for the glory of God, fostering an environment that allows everyone to participate and serve according to their calling.
In summary, Numbers 11:28 presents an exchange between Joshua and Moses concerning the prophesying of Eldad and Medad. The passage teaches us about unity, cooperation, recognizing the work of God’s Spirit, humility, and the importance of encouraging others in their spiritual growth.
