Moses is Building a Leader

Continuing the study of the eleventh chapter of Numbers, I propose a little side journey-- even as the author included in the account.

The elders had been gathered to the tabernacle where the Lord placed upon them some of the Spirit with which Moses was endowed. 

However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp.  A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”  (vv. 26,27, NIV)

At which point Joshua, a young man tagged by Moses to become a leader, spoke up and said, "My lord, Moses, stop them!"  Then without any rancor Moses said, "Are you jealous for my sake?  I wish all the Lord's people were prophets."

In complete kindness and grace, Moses chastised the young Joshua.  Jealousy of others engaged in the work of God is not to be tolerated, even if one is jealous for the sake of another!

As Moses disciplined Joshua, even so God disciplines his children.  He tells us that a father who does not discipline his children does not love them.  God loves His children.  (Hebrews 12)  The Lord is building His people.

[We may eventually get around to the. quail.]

Happy birthday, Delbert, my first-born son, who is five years younger than his sister whose birthday was last week.