Numbers 11:26
But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
Numbers 11:26
In Numbers 11:26, the Spirit of the Lord rests on Eldad and Medad even though they stay in the camp instead of joining the tabernacle community leaders at the tent of meeting. This moment occurs within the wilderness journey after Israel’s grumbling about manna and God’s provision. God’s Spirit resting on Eldad and Medad signals divine authorization of prophetic activity beyond the formal line of appointed prophets. The camp-bound two are “written” (in God’s book) yet they did not go out to the tabernacle, underscoring that prophetic gifting and divine enabling are not confined to the official channels or the institution alone. Their prophesying in the camp reveals the democratizing potential of God’s Spirit: when God chooses to move, human boundaries and hierarchies cannot fully contain Him. The scene also anticipates the expanding scope of Israel’s prophetic life culminating later in the ability for the Spirit to rest on all of God’s people (see Joel 2; Acts 2).
This verse challenges any rigid view of spiritual authority. Prophecy here is not the monopoly of Moses, Aaron, or the elder council; God’s Spirit can rest on ordinary tent-dwellers. It foreshadows a more inclusive future where God’s people, not just a select few, participate in revealing God’s will. It also tests the community’s sense of boundary and control—Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp, which prompts concern about order. Moses’ response (seen later) models a generous, God-centered posture: genuine leadership does not envy or police the Spirit’s work but celebrates God’s gracious distribution of gifts. Theologically, the passage reinforces the Spirit’s initiative over human design and highlights the communal nature of discernment and obedience in Israel’s life.
Today, this text invites us to welcome diverse forms of spiritual expression within the church. God’s Spirit may move in unexpected people and places—small groups, families, neighbors—so we should avoid erecting gatekeeping barriers to authentic encounters with God. Practical takeaways:
- Encourage lay-led prayer and discernment, recognizing gifts in “ordinary” believers.
- Celebrate examples of faithful service outside traditional leadership structures.
- Guard against rivalries that quench the Spirit; leadership should foster cooperation, not control.
- Test teachings against Scripture, but give room for the Spirit to empower and speak through various voices.
Example: in a church planning meeting, a mom who prays over her children offers a prophetic insight for outreach; the community weighs it humbly, testing it against Scripture and aligning with God’s mission.
Cross-References: Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Numbers 11:29; Numbers 12:6-8