In the Book of Numbers, two men named Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp of the Israelites. Certainly usurping authority was a serious offense, and Joshua was concerned about these men prophesying. Moses replied saying:
"Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)
The response is profound considering some of the things that also occurred during Moses's leadership. Korah seemed to use this same idea to justify his own usurpation:
"Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?" (Numbers 16:3)
The result of Korah's desire to assert his authority was the earth opening up and swallowing him and his followers. (Numbers 16:31-33)
Additionally, Moses's sister Miriam used a similar idea to reprove Moses:
"Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?" (Numbers 12:2)
The result of this reprimand was that Miriam became leprous for seven days and had to wait outside the camp.
These events seem to portray a discrepancy. In one case, the ability of others to prophesy and that they had the ability to receive counsel and instruction directly from the Lord was affirmed. In the others, the ability of individuals to receive counsel directly from the Lord was met with swift and severe punishment.
A similar discrepancy is seen in the New Testament as well. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus says "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." In Luke 9:49-50, it reads "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."
On the one hand, God desires people to communicate with him directly. On the other hand, people who claim that God communicates them may be severely punished. In one case, if we are not with Christ, we are against him. In another case, those that are not against Christ are for him. What is right?
Ultimately, God does seek to communicate with individuals. As James said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) Jesus also affirmed that "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:8-11)
On the other hand, a person ought not believe that the ability to communicate with God negates the need for prophetic guidance. Moses was given an assignment of leadership by God, and no ability to prophesy or to communicate with heaven negated the importance of what God gave to Moses. He said this to Miriam and Aaron after they reprimanded Moses:
"If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:6-8)
In New Testament times, God gave similar leadership assignments to his Apostles, and he expected people within his kingdom to give them respect in their office. Jesus gave this instruction to his apostles:
"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." (Matthew 10:14-15)
Additionally, when people attempted to deceive them under the guise of well doing, it ended no better for them than those who had fought against Moses in the Old Testament. Consider the story of Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 5:1-11)
The lesson is clear. Seeking individual communication with the Lord is good. He seeks to bless and help his children. He does not intend for people to take their personal feelings or motivations and go separate paths however. One of the most important communications that a person can obtain from God is to recognize his authorized servants. Jesus said to his chosen Apostles:
"He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward." (Matthew 10:40-41)
Perhaps this was the unspoken sentiment of Moses when he answered Joshua the son of Nun:
"Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)
Making all the people prophets does not remove the authority or assignments that God gives to his messengers... it helps people able to recognize them. Prophecy is the ability to see the truth of things as they were, as they are, and as they are to come. In this sense, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)
Would God that all people had the power to see the Apostles and Prophets for who they are... servants of the living Christ.
