Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 11:26 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Numbers 11:26 is a fascinating and meaningful verse in the Bible that touches on God‘s plan for leadership, His empowerment, and the concept of spiritual gifting. To fully appreciate the meaning of this verse, it is essential to understand its context, the specific message of the verse itself, and how it can be applied to our lives today. In this article, we will explore Numbers 11:26 and break it down for a deeper understanding.
The Context of Numbers 11:26 KJV
The Background of the Israelites’ Journey
The book of Numbers is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and it details the history of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness after escaping slavery in Egypt. Numbers primarily focuses on the time when the Israelites wandered in the desert, following God’s direction to the Promised Land. These events took place after the Israelites had been freed from Egypt, after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, and after the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.
However, during this time in the wilderness, the people were far from perfect. They struggled with discontentment, rebellion, and frequent complaints. Time and time again, the Israelites grumbled about their circumstances, including the manna they were provided to eat and the leadership of Moses.
In Numbers 11, we see a pattern of the Israelites complaining about the manna that God had provided for them, longing for the food they had eaten in Egypt. God’s patience was tested, and He responded by sending quail to the people, but also warning them of the consequences of their ingratitude. Moses, burdened with the complaints of the people and the weight of leadership, felt overwhelmed.
Moses’ Burden and God’s Response
In response to Moses’ plea for help in managing the people, God instructed Moses to gather seventy elders from the people to assist in leadership. These men would receive the spirit of God to help bear the responsibility of leadership. This is where Numbers 11:24 and 11:25 come in, showing how God empowered the elders to help Moses lead.
Numbers 11:26 takes this story further by describing two individuals, Eldad and Medad, who did not come to the meeting with the other seventy elders but still received the spirit of God and began prophesying. This event caused some confusion and concern among the people, and Joshua, Moses’ assistant, was troubled by it. However, Moses responded with a profound statement about God’s desire for all of His people to be filled with His spirit.
Numbers 11:26 (KJV)
The verse reads:
“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 (KJV)
Breaking Down the Verse
“But there remained two of the men in the camp”
This phrase introduces two men—Eldad and Medad. While the other seventy elders gathered at the appointed place, these two men did not go. This was significant, as it might have been expected that they would have participated with the others in the tabernacle. Their decision to stay in the camp raised questions among the people.
“The name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad”
The names of these two men are given, highlighting their individual identities. Eldad and Medad are not given much attention elsewhere in the Bible, but in this instance, they play a key role in God’s plan. Their names here serve to show that God was not limited by human expectations or the actions of others. Eldad and Medad were part of the group chosen to help Moses, but they had a different experience in receiving God’s spirit.
“And the spirit rested upon them”
This is the key moment in the verse. The spirit of God, which had been given to the other elders, also rested on Eldad and Medad. The Holy Spirit’s presence signifies God’s empowerment, His anointing, and His approval for their roles in leadership. The fact that the spirit rested upon them, even though they did not follow the expected pattern, shows that God’s will cannot be confined to human understanding or rituals. The Spirit is sovereign and chooses whom He empowers for His purposes.
“And they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle”
This phrase tells us that Eldad and Medad were supposed to be among the seventy elders who were chosen for this special role, but for some reason, they did not follow the usual procedure of gathering at the tabernacle. Despite this, God still chose to pour out His spirit on them, indicating that God’s plans are not limited by human actions or traditions.
“And they prophesied in the camp”
The two men, Eldad and Medad, began prophesying in the camp, despite not being in the tabernacle. Prophesying was a sign of God’s presence and authority, and it indicated that Eldad and Medad had been empowered to speak on God’s behalf. The people may have been confused by this, as it did not fit the usual expectations of how God would work, but it was clear that God was still using them for His purpose.
Numbers 11:26 Meaning
The Sovereignty of God’s Spirit
One of the main takeaways from this verse is the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. God can choose to empower whom He wills, regardless of human expectations or norms. The fact that Eldad and Medad received the spirit and prophesied, despite not being present at the tabernacle, shows that God’s spirit is not limited to a specific place or group. This is a reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and He can work through anyone He chooses to accomplish His purposes.
God Uses Ordinary People
Eldad and Medad were not prominent leaders like Moses, yet God chose to empower them with His spirit and allow them to prophesy. This teaches us that God is not limited by our position, status, or title. He can use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Just because someone does not fit the expected mold does not mean they are outside of God’s plan. God has the power to work through anyone who is willing to be used by Him.
The Power of Prophecy
The act of prophesying was significant. It was a way for God to communicate directly with His people, revealing His will and His presence. The fact that Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp demonstrated that God could work wherever His people were. His spirit was not confined to the tabernacle but could rest upon anyone, anywhere, as He chose. This speaks to the universal nature of God’s work and His desire to communicate with His people, no matter where they are.
Breaking Human Expectations
The people were surprised by Eldad and Medad’s actions because it was unexpected. They did not follow the prescribed pattern of meeting at the tabernacle. Yet, God was still with them. This is a powerful lesson about breaking human expectations. Sometimes, God will move in ways that defy our understanding or what we think should happen. We must be open to the idea that God can work in unexpected ways, through unexpected people, and in unexpected places.
Numbers 11:26 Application in Life
God Can Use Anyone
The story of Eldad and Medad serves as a powerful reminder that God can use anyone. Whether we are in a position of leadership or not, God can empower us with His spirit to fulfill His purpose. This should encourage all believers, regardless of their background or status. If God can use two men who did not even follow the prescribed rules, He can certainly use anyone who is willing to serve Him.
Be Open to God’s Leading
God’s leading may not always fit our expectations. Eldad and Medad did not follow the usual path of gathering at the tabernacle, yet they were still used by God. This teaches us to be open to God’s leading, even when it does not align with our traditional understanding. God’s plan is always better than ours, and He may have a purpose for us that we do not fully understand at the moment. Trusting God means being open to His guidance, even when it challenges our expectations.
Embrace the Power of the Holy Spirit
As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit to empower us for service. Eldad and Medad were filled with the spirit, enabling them to prophesy. Similarly, we are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must seek the Holy Spirit daily, asking God to fill us and equip us for the tasks He has for us. The Holy Spirit is not just for a select few; He is available to all believers who are willing to receive Him.
Conclusion
Numbers 11:26 teaches us valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and how God can use anyone for His purposes. Eldad and Medad were unexpected instruments of God’s will, showing that God’s power is not limited by human expectations. We are reminded that God can empower anyone He chooses to fulfill His purposes and that we must remain open to His leading, even when it challenges our understanding. By embracing the Holy Spirit, we can be equipped to serve God and fulfill the tasks He has prepared for us.
You Might Be Interested In: