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Medad

Medad was one of seventy elders chosen by Moses to help judge Israel, who prophesied in the camp when the Spirit of God came upon him. His example demonstrates God's sovereign gifting of the Holy Spirit beyond institutional boundaries.

Overview

Medad was among the seventy elders appointed by Moses to share the burden of leadership over Israel (Numbers 11:24-25). When the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, Medad prophesied in the camp, though he had remained at the camp rather than going to the tabernacle with the other elders. His prophesying prompted concern from some observers, but Moses and Joshua responded differently to this manifestation of God's Spirit.

Key Scriptures

"So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied" (Numbers 11:24-25, ESV).

"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!'" (Numbers 11:28-29, ESV).

Application

Trust that God distributes His gifts sovereignly and rejoice when others receive spiritual abilities, even in unexpected ways.

Scripture References 4
Full Topical Reference List 4 total — Nave's Topical Bible

One of the seventy elders who did not go to the tabernacle with Moses, but prophesied in the camp.