Godly Leaders are not Jealous Leaders - Numbers 9-12

 Numbers 11:26-30 (ESV)

Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

Godly leaders are not threatened by the actions of others.  In the above passage we read about two men who were given the Spirit of God and demonstrated that Spirit by prophesying.   Moses had complained to God that he was all alone in his leadership position over Israel.  God directed him to find 70 men of leadership qualities to assist him in leadership.   Once the men were selected, God gave them a portion of the same Spirit that was upon Moses. All 70 of them began to give forth prophesy, which demonstrated their gift of the Spirit.   This is the way the Spirit of God worked in the Old Testament.  The Spirit came on men for the purpose of service.  These two men, in the above text, continued to prophesy after the other 68 at ceased to do so.  Joshua, still young in his leadership, took offense to this.  But, Moses was not offended.  In fact, Moses saw it as a powerful sign that he was being given help from God.  Those who are lead by God are not threatened or hindered by others who are lead by God.   There was no jealousy.  There was no envy.  Those who are called by God rest in God’s calling.  They don’t need to be the ONLY ones called by God.  They don’t view themselves as dependent upon themselves.  They recognize that God has many who are called to lead along side them.  We might want to remember Elijah who was afraid he was the only prophet left in the country in his fight against King Ahab (1 Kings 18).   When called to serve God we ought not be jealous of others called to do the same.