How often do we as pastors or do members of our congregations become jealous about
another's good ideas, about another's gifts, about anothers "successful"
ministry. How often do we say, "stop them!"
"Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his
spirit on them!"
No more competition, petty jealousy or insecurity, but the synergy of our ministries
may delight in the lord.
Kelly in Tacoma
Well said, Kelly, it seems a lot of times we focus on what is happening in other people's ministry. If we see the Spirit moving under their ministry, we either criticize or copy. We need some of the spirit of Moses in this respect.
I really think though that this text is excellent for small church mainline Christian folks who act like their minister is the one who's supposed to do prophesying, preaching, witnessing. Great proof text for the "priesthood of all believers."
Chuck in DC
Kelly and Chuck - We all seem to be on the same wavelength. I've told my congregation, "You called me to be your pastor, but you are the ministers. We are engaged in team ministry." The beautiful thing is, they've all followed that train of thought.
I'm in a strange situation - I don't have a day of college to my name, yet I pastor the church. One man in our church has an M.Div., yet doesn't preach; he says God hasn't called him to it. However, he teaches expertly and so he does Sunday evening teachings which I participate in.
As a Baptist (and in agreement with most Protestants), I believe in the priesthood of each believer. We have equal access to God, ideally, and if I, as a pastor, feel threatened by another's gift, then I'd better re-think my calling.
JG in WI
Yep, hmmm... has God been giving us all the same messages to preach this 40 day ascension period or what???? Me, Too WE are all Ministers peeps! Do the small Church people get it though? Hmmm I am leaning toward using this passing instead of the usual Acts 2. I used that last year. I pur red all over the place last year too, and made banners to wave, feel the pentecost wind...it's here! dont know if I'll do that this year...I was a first year preacher last year! Will do the red, but maybe just altar table. Thinking about getting some breath mints, not because my congregation has bad breath! LOL to remind them of God's breath breathed on them! LADYPREACHER IN OHIO
It seems to me to be convenient to identify this spirit of ecstasy that fell on the elders of Israel as the Holy Spirit. Is this a legitimate application of this text? Right now, I'm leaning that way, but would love to hear others' thoughts on this.
-Dale in Chattanooga
When I read this text for the first time, I immediately thought, "Hey, Moses eventually got his wish! The Spirit of God has fallen upon all God's people ... when Jesus breathed upon the disciples, when Pentecost happened, when the gentile believers received the Holy Spirit ... and continues to fall upon us to this day, when we modern day disciples believe, receive, perceive and ... uhhh looking for a "-eive" type word for the actual doing or performance of ministry ... maybe "achieve?" Early thoughts for me yet. I have been discussing in my sermon what it means to be a living stone in a spiritual temple [from the "royal priesthood" passages from several weeks ago]and Pentecost caps it off very nicely. RevRake in MI
LADYPREACHER IN OHIO
You asked, "Do the small Church people get it though?" I pastor a small church. We get it. :) We have to get it. You see, as a small church, they can't support me full time so they often have to fill in the gaps. God has blessed me with the most amazing team, and it's growing.
JG in WI
I've compared a few translations of this pericope, and like Peterson's paraphrase the best (in The Message).
Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn't leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, 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!"
Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' right-hand man since his youth, said, "Moses, master! Stop them!"
But Moses said, "Are you jealous for me? Would that all God's people were prophets. Would that God would put his Spirit on all of them."
MTSOfan
