Numbers 11:24-30
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the Jewish people have regarded Moses as the prophet par excellence since he walked the earth. Of course this is reinforced by his epitaph written as the last words of the Torah: “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”
He was the prophet through whom the Lord liberated his people and brought them to the Promised Land. Unlike other prophets and people who encountered the Almighty, Moses spoke with God face-to-face. Through him, the Lord gave Israel the Law, by which he revealed his will and provided a national charter and constitution, by which the people were to be governed. This included instructions concerning the Tabernacle, proper worship, the Aaronic priesthood, the sacrifices, and the host of laws which—if followed—would keep the people healthy, prosperous, happy, and in a right relationship with their Redeemer.
So Moses is considered to be the model and standard by which all later prophets were to be measured and were expected to follow. And there was one essential requirement which a prophet had to have. He had to be led by and filled by the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit doing his work, a prophet was just a man with opinions. With the Spirit moving him to speak, however, the prophet could proclaim what was on God’s mind, straight from the Throne of Heaven itself. The Spirit made all the difference.
Why am I making such a big deal over this, and what does it have to do with today’s passage? Because this story opens a window into the heart of Moses, yes. It shows his humble spirit in that he graciously was willing to share authority and the Spirit’s power. He didn’t see the Spirit of the Lord as something to hoard to himself, but something to be shared with as many people as possible.
But even more than that, it’s a picture of the future Church. He knew that it would be best if the Spirit was shared with not just himself, not just a few elders, but all of God’s people. He wanted the blessings that he got from the Spirit—the power, the changing of his character, the closeness to the Lord—to be available to all the redeemed. The Spirit within him enabled him to speak the very words of God, and he wanted all God’s people to be able to do that.
How is this relevant to today? If you’re asking that question, then you haven’t been reading the Blog for very long. I spoke of this before, but it’s worth repeating: Moses’ dream came true on Pentecost and with the birth of the Church. Now every believer has full access to the Holy Spirit, just as Moses did. Now, I believe that the canon is closed—we aren’t going to write Scripture. But we have full access to the Lord’s abiding presence in our lives. Right now. The division of “haves” and “have-nots” in this regard is gone.
And in a sense you can reveal his word to others in a way that even Moses couldn’t. When you share with a lost soul that the Savior loves them and wants them in his family, you’re doing something extraordinary. When you see a sibling in Christ who desperately needs a word of hope from God's truth, you can be a “prophet” to that person. Remember, a prophet is just a mouthpiece. When you share God’s truth in the power and by the leadership of the Spirit, you’re all the prophet that person needs.
Will you do it?
Yes, Lord, I’ll be your mouthpiece. Whatever you want me to tell that certain someone, I’ll do it. Just give me the words to speak and a heart of compassion.
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