Numbers 11:28 – “Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, ‘Moses, my lord, stop them!’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Numbers 11:28 shows Joshua, Moses’ loyal assistant, reacting to the news that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp. Joshua, who had been close to Moses since his youth and served as his trusted aide, is concerned about the unexpected prophesying of Eldad and Medad. He sees this as a potential threat to Moses’ authority and quickly asks Moses to put a stop to it.
Joshua’s reaction reflects a desire to protect Moses’ leadership, fearing that others prophesying might undermine Moses’ role. Joshua’s concern is understandable—he wants to guard the established order and ensure that leadership remains respected and intact. However, his response also reveals a limited understanding of how God’s Spirit works, as he sees this unexpected event as something to be controlled rather than embraced as part of God’s broader plan.
Historical Context
The historical context of Numbers 11:28 is set during the Israelites’ wilderness journey after they left Egypt. Moses, overwhelmed by the complaints and needs of the people, had asked God for help in leading them. In response, God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders to share the burden of leadership, and He promised to put His Spirit on them.
While most of the elders were gathered at the tent of meeting, Eldad and Medad stayed in the camp but still received the Spirit and began to prophesy. This unusual situation prompted a young man to report the event to Moses, and Joshua, in his role as Moses’ close aide, reacted by asking Moses to stop Eldad and Medad from prophesying. Joshua’s protective instinct reflects his loyalty to Moses, but it also shows his discomfort with God’s Spirit moving in unexpected ways.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Numbers 11:28 underscores the challenge of understanding and embracing the unpredictable movement of God’s Spirit. Joshua’s reaction reflects a common human tendency to try to control or limit what we do not fully understand. He wanted to maintain order and protect Moses’ authority, but in doing so, he nearly missed the bigger picture—that God’s Spirit was not limited to a specific place or group.
This passage teaches us that God’s work often goes beyond our expectations and boundaries. God does not fit into our neat categories or follow our rules. Joshua’s desire to stop Eldad and Medad highlights the importance of being open to God’s ways, even when they don’t align with our expectations. It challenges us to trust that God’s Spirit will move as He sees fit, often in surprising and unexpected ways.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Numbers 11:28 uses dialogue to convey Joshua’s urgency and concern. The phrase “Moses, my lord, stop them!” captures Joshua’s protective instinct and his sense of alarm. This direct speech brings the reader into the scene, highlighting Joshua’s loyalty and his immediate reaction to something he sees as out of the ordinary.
The structure of this verse contrasts Joshua’s human perspective with the divine perspective that follows in Moses’ response. Joshua’s desire to control the situation is set against God’s broader plan to empower others through His Spirit. This literary tension between human control and divine action serves to remind readers that God’s ways often transcend our understanding.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Mark 9:38-40 – The disciples tell Jesus that they saw someone casting out demons in His name and tried to stop him because he wasn’t one of them. Jesus tells them not to stop him, reflecting a similar theme of God’s work happening outside expected boundaries.
- Acts 2:17-18 – The prophecy of Joel is fulfilled as the Holy Spirit is poured out on all people, showing that God’s Spirit is not limited to a specific group but is available to all who believe.
- Luke 9:49-50 – Jesus’ disciples try to stop someone from driving out demons in His name because he was not one of them. Jesus corrects them, saying, “Whoever is not against you is for you,” emphasizing the broader reach of God’s work.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Numbers 11:28 is a reminder to be open to the ways God may work outside of our expectations. Joshua’s reaction teaches us about the dangers of trying to control how God’s Spirit moves. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that God’s work must fit into our familiar structures or that leadership must always look the way we expect. This verse challenges us to let go of that need for control and to trust that God’s Spirit will move as He sees fit.
This passage also encourages us to recognize that God can work through many different people and circumstances. We should be careful not to dismiss or discourage the work of God’s Spirit just because it doesn’t happen in the way we are used to. God’s reach is broad, and He often uses unexpected people and places to accomplish His purposes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Numbers 11:28 reflects a loving God who involves His people in His work, even in ways that surprise us. God’s decision to put His Spirit on Eldad and Medad, despite their absence from the tent, shows that He values participation over formality. God’s love extends beyond human expectations and embraces all who are willing to be used by Him.
God’s inclusive action demonstrates that He is not restricted by our boundaries. His love is expansive, reaching beyond what we might consider proper or expected. This verse reminds us that God delights in empowering His people, not because they fit a certain mold, but because of His grace and purpose.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Numbers 11:28 connects to Jesus Christ, who repeatedly showed that God’s work often happens outside of traditional expectations. Jesus Himself often broke social and religious norms, reaching out to those on the margins and empowering those who were not seen as leaders. Just as Eldad and Medad were empowered to prophesy, Jesus empowered His disciples, and later all believers, to continue His work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Mark 9:38-40, the disciples try to stop someone who is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, but Jesus tells them not to. This incident parallels Joshua’s reaction, showing that the work of God’s Spirit is broader than our human understanding. Jesus teaches that anyone who is working in His name is part of God’s kingdom work, reminding us that God’s mission is bigger than any one person or group.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever felt uncomfortable when God’s work happened in unexpected ways or through unexpected people? How did you respond?
- What does Joshua’s reaction teach you about your own tendencies to control or limit how you think God should work?
- How can you be more open to recognizing and embracing the work of God’s Spirit, even when it happens outside of your expectations?
- How does Jesus’ teaching about the inclusivity of God’s work encourage you to trust that God’s Spirit moves in ways beyond your understanding?
This article encourages believers to trust in the boundless movement of God’s Spirit, to remain open to how He might work through unexpected people and circumstances, and to follow Jesus Christ, who shows us that God’s kingdom is broader and more inclusive than we might imagine.