"Jealousy" Numbers 11:26-30 on this week's Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.

​The Word of Grace Devotion for March 9, 2020

Jealousy

Numbers 11:26-30, “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. 27A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29But Moses replied, “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!” 30Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.”

Beloved, let me paint the picture for you. Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land when they began to complain about their food. They were tired of manna and wanted some meat. So Moses, complaining like the people, told the Lord the situation. Moses doubted that Lord could provide and the Lord responded in Numbers 11:23, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

Numbers 11:25 tells us what happened next, “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.” Hence we arrive at our place in the text. Two other elders, not near the tent began to prophesy and others believed that those two were out of line.

Jealousy is a common theme throughout ministry. Whether it is planting churches or ordaining elders, jealousy can and often does rear its ugly head. This is what happened to some of Moses’ men and even to Joshua, the future leader of the Israelites. What was Moses’ response to this: “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”

The truth of the matter is that ministry is heartbreaking work. When I see men, full of the Spirit and desiring to serve God to the fullest, I am encouraged. I also began to pray for them because I know that their hearts will be broken again and again. Pain is part of the process. So like Moses I say, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” And then I pray. Lord, help then not to give up!

Beloved, jealousy has no place in our lives. We have already been given so much more than we deserve. Let us rejoice that God is using us for His glory and count the tremendous blessings He has bestowed on us!

I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!

 

In Him-

Pastor Joe