22
Granting The Wish of Moses
Jon BurgessThe Spirit of God that was upon Moses had now come upon the 70 elders and they all prophesied. This was a sign from God that the people could look to the elders as well as Moses for guidance and leadership. Then we read of this interesting account where two elders were missing from around the Tent of Meeting. Were Eldad and Medad sleeping in? Did they miss the memo? Were they trying to catch the rest of the big game? Who knows? What we do know is that the same Holy Spirit that came upon Moses and the 68 elders outside the camp had also come upon the ones inside the camp. When this was brought to the attention of Moses he wished that all people were prophets everywhere. His heart was a beautiful reflection of the heart of God. It was a foreshadowing of Acts 2 when the wish of Moses was granted and God's Spirit was poured out on 120. They didn't stay in the upper room but went to the streets. Just like Eldad and Medad in the camp, the Holy Spirit began to pour out everywhere. Then, in Acts 10, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentile nations. What was a one-time occurrence in Numbers 11 was now an everyday occurrence in Acts 11.God was talking to His people everywhere and all the time.
There's not a single person sitting at this table journaling with me this morning that can't hear God's voice. We start with His written word and then follow the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit as we go from this place. Just as was hinted at Numbers 11 and then fulfilled in Acts, it's clear that there is no hierarchy for who can hear the voice of God. The Holy Spirit is speaking all the time, the truth is that most of us aren't paying much attention. The Holy Spirit's voice is not limited to the "Tent of Meeting", our weekend services. He wants to speak to people right where they live, "in the camp". The Holy Spirit is not limited to the guy behind the pulpit, the Moses or Joshua. He wants to speak to everyone who follows Him, the Eldads and Medadsof New Hope. The Holy voice in the common place is a powerful way to show people our God is real. It can be as simple as seeing someone sick in the office and asking if we can pray for them. When we come upon a tense situation we can stop and ask God for peace and direction instead of ignoring it or walking on by. In order to grant the wish of Moses we have to get out of the Moses mindset that says only the man on the mountain can hear from God. That may have been true in the Old Testament, but now its no longer the case. Jesus said, "my sheep will hear my voice". All we have to do is listen.
Lord, thank You for this powerful reminder this morning. What an amazing truth it is to know that You want to speak to us and through us to everyone around us! I pray that we would take what You whisper to our hearts today at our Life Group and help us to live out everywhere we go today. Your plan is ingenious. How can we make sure everyone on this island gets a chance to meet You? Everyone who knows You tells someone about You! Boom! Instant revival in our time! Instantly the wish of Moses is fulfilled.
