Numbers 11:29
29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”

As Israel wandered in the desert, the people complained because they remembered with fondness the time that they were in Egypt. They remembered the food that they ate, but conveniently forgot that they were slaves and received harsh treatment from the Egyptians. Moses felt a great burden as the weight of all of the people’s complaints fell on him alone. In response, God asked Moses to bring 70 elders to the tent, so that He could bring the Spirit upon them. And in that way Moses would not feel the burden alone as the other elders would be able to respond to the complaints of the people.

Two of the elders, Eldad and Medad, remained in the camp and did not come to the tent of meeting. When the Spirit fell on them, they began to prophesy in front of all the people. Joshua went to Moses and asked that the two men be restrained, for he believed that only Moses should do that. Verse 29 of Numbers chapter 11 was his response to Joshua.

It is not clear if Moses responded that way because he wanted others to share his burden for the people. I like to believe it was that Moses realized the amazing blessing that he alone had received by having the Spirit of God upon him.  Moses wanted others to share it that gift.

As Christians, we are blessed in that way, for the Spirit of God lives within us. We should want all people to have that blessing too. Without it, all thoughts of God and His mercy and grace seem to be foolishness. Only the Spirit can illumine our minds to the knowledge of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Heavenly Father, what a blessing it is that Your Spirit lives within me. Give me a heart for sharing that blessing with others, so that they can receive Your mercy and grace. As I share, I pray that you would put Your Spirit upon them today. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,