When Moses Let Go of Control: The Lesson of Eldad and Medad

Leadership Part 2

In Numbers 11:26–30, we find a remarkable scene that reveals the heart of true spiritual leadership. Two men, Eldad and Medad, begin to prophesy in the camp—even though they had not gone out to the tent where the seventy elders were gathered. A young man rushes to tell Moses, and Joshua—Moses’ faithful assistant—immediately registers his objection:

“My lord Moses, stop them!” (v. 28)

Joshua’s reaction reflects a common misunderstanding about leadership, both then and now. He assumes that spiritual authority must be tightly controlled—that anything happening outside the official channels, outside the tent, is a threat to Moses’ position. In Joshua’s eyes, leadership is a pyramid, with Moses at the top and everyone else below him.

But Moses—called “the most humble man on all the earth” (Numbers 12:3)—sees things differently. His response is stunning:

“Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit on them!” (v. 29)

Moses doesn’t see Spirit-filled ministry as competition. He sees it as multiplication.

 Leadership that Shares the Spirit

Earlier in this same chapter, Moses admitted that he could not carry the burden of the people alone (Numbers 11:14). God’s answer was not to make Moses stronger, but to share His Spirit with others—seventy elders who would help bear the load. Moses understood something that many modern leaders have forgotten: true leadership doesn’t hoard power; it shares it.

This principle first appears in Exodus 18, when Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, wisely advised him to appoint capable men to lead groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Jethro saw that centralized leadership would crush Moses—and the people. Moses listened, and delegated authority so that every level of the community could flourish.

 The Modern Temptation to Centralize

Contrast this with much of modern church culture. Today, it’s common to see ministry modeled after celebrity culture—where everything revolves around one charismatic figure or a tiny inner circle. These “senior leaders” often become untouchable, and the Spirit’s movement is filtered through a narrow funnel of personality and control.

But Moses—the man who spoke with God face to face—had no desire to be the sole channel of divine activity. If he were leading a megachurch today, he wouldn’t build a massive stage to showcase himself; he would be working to decentralize authority into smaller, Spirit-filled communities. His dream wasn’t for more followers, but for more leaders—each one filled with the same Spirit that rested on him.

It is one of the things that I have admired about working with Asher Intrater over the years. He is always seeking to have others step up and take over what he has started. His example to me was to give away ministry, not protect for himself.

 The Heart of Humble Leadership

Moses’ humility allowed him to celebrate when others moved in the gifts of the Spirit. He didn’t see Eldad and Medad as rivals, but as partners in God’s mission. His prayer—“Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets”—points forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when the promise of Joel was fulfilled:

“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” (Joel 2:28)

That’s the ultimate vision of leadership in the Kingdom of God—not control, but empowerment; not jealousy, but joy when others rise up.

Also, in the book of Mark, we see where John takes offense at someone outside of their group casting out demons in Yeshua’s name. But Yeshua rebukes him telling John that he who is for them is not against them (Mark 9: 38-41). Yeshua is not threatened by more people doing his work, but encouraged.

 A Healthy Body Raises Up the Next Generation

In our last reflection from Numbers 8, we saw the Levites “retiring” from active service—not because they were being dismissed, but so they could make room for the next generation to serve. The goal was not to sideline older leaders, but to keep the Body healthy by allowing younger ones to step into their calling.

Here in Numbers 11, that same spirit continues. Moses models the kind of humility that delights to see others receive the anointing—even those younger, less experienced, or outside the inner circle. His leadership wasn’t about protecting a title but about multiplying God’s presence through people.

This is what healthy spiritual leadership looks like: seasoned leaders who pour out, not hold on; who create space for others to rise up in the Spirit. The Body of Messiah flourishes when every generation is empowered to serve, to prophesy, and to lead.

May we, like Moses, rejoice when God fills others with His Spirit—and may we raise up a new generation of leaders who will do the same.