Would that all were prophets
Moses' generous wish
When two men, Eldad and Medad, began prophesying in the camp outside the official gathering, Joshua was alarmed and urged Moses to stop them. Moses' reply is one of the most generous lines any leader ever spoke: are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them all! Where Joshua saw a threat to Moses' unique standing, Moses saw a hope to be celebrated.
Insecure leaders guard their gift jealously, threatened when others rise, eager to keep the anointing scarce and centered on themselves. Moses wanted the opposite — for the gift to spread to everyone, for leaders to multiply beyond counting, even at the cost of his own uniqueness. A leader's security is tested by how he responds when others share or even exceed his gift. The great ones wish it on everybody. They are not protecting their own indispensability; they are multiplying leaders.
“Don't forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.”
— Jesus, on the outsider doing good — Mark 9:39 (WEB)
A leader's security is tested by how he responds when others share or exceed his gift. The great ones multiply leaders and wish the gift on everyone.
“Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”
Moses celebrated others’ anointing where Joshua felt threatened. A leader formed here roots his security deep enough to rejoice when others rise. The inner work is wanting the gift multiplied more than wanting to be unique.
Actively multiply leaders and celebrate when others share or exceed your gift. Refuse to keep the anointing scarce and centered on yourself. Build others’ indispensability, not your own.
Insecure leaders guard their gift and subtly suppress rising others. The blind spot is mistaking the protection of their own uniqueness for stewardship.
Notice where someone rising makes you uneasy. This week, deliberately celebrate and multiply their gift instead of guarding your own.
Insecure leaders guard their gift jealously, threatened when others rise. Moses wished his anointing on everyone, even at the cost of his own uniqueness.
When someone else rises, shares, or exceeds your gift, are you threatened — or do you wish it on everybody?