Eldad and Medad were two Israelite men mentioned in Numbers 11 who prophesied in the camp, even though they were not among the seventy elders who had gathered at the tabernacle. Their story raises questions about the nature of prophecy and who is authorized to speak for God.
The Appointing of the Seventy Elders
In Numbers 11, the Israelites were complaining and longing for the food they had in Egypt. Moses was unable to bear the burden of leading the people alone, so God told him to gather seventy elders to help him lead. God said He would take some of the Spirit who was on Moses and put the Spirit on the elders so they could help carry the burden of the people (Numbers 11:16-17).
Moses gathered seventy elders and had them stand around the tabernacle. Then God came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. He took some of the Spirit who was on Moses and put the Spirit on the elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, although they never did so again (Numbers 11:24-25).
The Prophesying of Eldad and Medad
Two men, Eldad and Medad, had been registered among the seventy elders, but they had not gone out to the tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested on them also, and they prophesied in the camp (Numbers 11:26).
A young man ran and reported their prophesying to Moses. Joshua, Moses’ assistant, urged Moses to stop them. But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29). Moses expressed his wish that all God’s people could prophesy and demonstrate the gifts of the Spirit.
Interpretations and Questions Surrounding Eldad and Medad
The prophesying of Eldad and Medad raises several questions:
1. Were Eldad and Medad wrong to prophesy, since they were not at the tabernacle with the rest of the elders?
2. Why did Joshua urge Moses to stop them? Was he trying to defend Moses’ authority?
3. Why was Moses not bothered by their prophesying? Did he recognize it was legitimate?
4. Did this demonstrate that the Spirit can be given outside official channels?
5. Were Eldad and Medad’s gifts meant to show that God’s Spirit is not limited or controlled by humans?
There are several ways their story has been interpreted:
– God intentionally left out Eldad and Medad to show He is not restricted to authorized channels. Their prophesying showed that true prophecy cannot be regulated.
– Eldad and Medad’s example taught that God may grant gifts as He pleases. The Spirit blows where it wishes (John 3:8).
– Moses wished for all God’s people to prophesy because he wanted Israel to follow God’s will, not just the privileged leaders.
– Joshua represented those who want to regulate who is qualified to lead and prophesy. Moses represented those who recognize God can speak through anyone.
– Prophecy is not limited to officially sanctioned leaders. God may speak through unexpected people.
So Eldad and Medad illustrated an important truth – that the gift of prophecy and God’s Spirit are not limited to human regulations or hierarchies. Their story showed that God can speak through anyone He chooses.
The Purpose and Function of the Seventy Elders
Some key questions about the appointing of the seventy elders:
– Why did Moses need help leading the Israelites? The burden was too great for one man (Numbers 11:14).
– Why did God appoint seventy elders? Seventy was a significant number in Israel and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. The seventy elders probably represented the twelve tribes.
– What was the purpose of bestowing the Spirit on the elders? It authorized them to help Moses lead and gave them wisdom and discernment to judge disputes. It demonstrated that they shared in the same Spirit and call as Moses.
– Did they actually prophesy only once? Some think they continued to prophesy and judge through the power of the Spirit on them. Others think this refers to them prophesying only on this occasion.
– What does prophesying mean? Probably praising God, speaking revelation from God, declaring His word.
So the elders were appointed to share the burden of leadership with Moses. When the Spirit was put on them, they prophesied as evidence of the Spirit’s enabling. They were authorized to help lead by discerning God’s will.
Moses’ Leadership Style and Attitude
Moses demonstrated some important leadership qualities through this incident:
– Humility – He admitted his need for help leading the Israelites.
– Dependence on God – He waited for God’s solution rather than acting himself.
– Recognition of others’ gifts – He did not seem threatened by Eldad and Medad’s prophesying.
– Openness to God’s unexpected work – He expressed a desire for all God’s people to prophesy.
– Concern for God’s people – His focus was on meeting their needs, not his status.
Moses seems to have recognized that prophecy was not about gaining power and status but rather speaking God’s message. He was open to God speaking through unexpected people, not threatened or jealous of his own authority. This reflects Moses’ humility and his central concern for fulfilling God’s will.
Joshua’s Concern About Eldad and Medad
Joshua urged Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying. This could suggest:
– He was concerned for Moses’ honor since Moses was the appointed leader.
– He may have seen this as unauthorized since they did not prophesy at the tabernacle with the other elders.
– He could have been motivated by sincerely seeking to defend what seemed proper order.
– He may have struggled to see how God could speak through non-official channels.
However, Numbers 11 does not provide Joshua’s specific reasons. We can infer several possibilities for why Joshua sought to defend Moses’ status:
– Sincere concern for respecting authority
– Zeal for righteousness
– Caution about false prophecy
– Desire to uphold tradition
– Protecting stability and order
– Upholding Moses’ honor
Ultimately Joshua deferred to Moses’ response, showing his willingness to have his perspective corrected.
Principles and Applications for Today
The story of Eldad and Medad provides some key principles and applications:
– God’s Spirit cannot be limited or controlled. He works as He chooses.
– True prophecy will be consistent with God’s word and character.
– Leadership must be open to how God is working, not defensive of position.
– God often uses unexpected people powerfully.
– Our highest allegiance should be to God’s will, not human institutions.
– The Spirit’s gifting is for serving others, not gaining status.
– All God’s people have something to contribute to the whole.
For the church today, Eldad and Medad remind us that God may speak through new, unrecognized voices. Leaders should welcome diverse gifts that build up God’s people. At the same time, all prophecy must be tested against Scripture. But the Spirit blows as He wills, not contained within official channels. God calls each of us to humbly serve the whole body, rather than promoting our own status. The goal is proclaiming the wonders of Christ for the sake of the world.
Eldad in Jewish Tradition
Later Jewish traditions elaborated on Eldad and Medad:
– Some suggested they stayed behind because they were humble and did not want status. Others say they were young and shy.
– According to one story, Eldad prophesied about the death of Moses, Joshua leading Israel into Canaan, and the land being divided. He foretold future conflict under the kings.
– Some traditions say Eldad and Medad continued to communicate revelation to the people throughout their life.
– They became examples of how God pours out His Spirit as He chooses.
While these expansions are not in Scripture, they show how Eldad and Medad were remembered as models of prophets called outside the establishment. Their legacy as prophetic voices not confined to official leadership continued.
The Outpouring of the Spirit in the Last Days
Moses wished that all God’s people could prophesy and demonstrate gifts of the Spirit. Later Scripture shows this wish fulfilled:
– God poured out His Spirit on all flesh at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). Both men and women, young and old, were included.
– The Spirit gifted all believers in the church for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Prophecy was a widespread gift (1 Corinthians 14).
– When the Spirit was given to Gentiles, Peter said, “The Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning…who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:15-17).
– Jesus said believers would prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams in the last days (Acts 2:17-18).
Just as with Eldad and Medad, God’s Spirit cannot be limited today. He empowers diverse people in unexpected ways. The pouring out of the Spirit fulfilled Moses’ longing for all God’s people to receive the Spirit’s gifts.
Conclusion
The story of Eldad and Medad contains important truths about prophecy, leadership, and the work of the Holy Spirit:
– God’s Spirit is free and cannot be contained by human restrictions.
– True prophecy will align with Scripture and glorify Jesus.
– Leaders should humbly acknowledge the gifts of others without insecurity.
– The Spirit equips all believers, not just an elite group.
– All Spirit-empowered ministry should serve others and build up the church.
Above all, Eldad and Medad remind us that the Wind blows where He wishes (John 3:8). God still speaks through unexpected voices to share His heart and build His kingdom.