Joshua—the servant of Moses, &c.— See Exodus 33:11. Joshua, it should seem, thought that these men's prophesying, or teaching in the camp, tended to make those gifts common, and to disparage Moses in the eyes of the people: or, perhaps, he thought that it tended to breed a schism, by calling the people away from the tabernacle, the appointed place of meeting, where the rest of the seventy elders were regularly assembled. Thus the disciples forbad one who cast out devils in Christ's name, because he followed not with them; Luke 9:49-50 and it appears, from the answer both of Moses and of Christ, as if some degree of jealousy rested in the heart of Joshua, as well as of the disciples. Enviest thou for my sake? says Moses; or, rather, art thou jealous on my account? "art thou afraid that their exercise of these prophetic gifts should be a diminution of my honour?"—Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, &c.—"would to God that they were all inspired to sing the praises of Jehovah, to recommend holiness and religion one to another!"—How excellent an answer! How characteristic of the good man! who will not only set others an example of holiness, but will rejoice to see holiness and piety prevail in the world; who will not only wish that all the Lord's people were prophets, but will contribute, as much as he can, towards enabling them to be so: not envying the blessings which God bestows upon others; but, on the contrary, glad to see the glory of God promoted, either by himself, or any of his fellow-creatures.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses obeys the divine mandate, and having told the people the words of the Lord, he gathers the elders before the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord appears. God never fails to meet those who are found waiting upon him. As they were selected by his order, he furnishes them for their place, bestowing upon them a portion of that spirit which rested on Moses; not diminishing his gifts, but increasing theirs. Grace is an inexhaustible fountain; no man has the less, because of others who partake with him. Hereupon they prophesied. But Joshua, jealous for Moses's honour, is ready to condemn and silence them for irregularity. Note; (1.) The gifts and graces of others are too often the occasion of envy to us. (2.) What we may think irregular for ourselves, we should not be too hasty to condemn in others. (3.) If men prophesy in the name of Jesus, and souls are edified, we should therein rejoice, though they may not follow with us. (4.) If others increase in usefulness, and we decrease, yet so as the cause prospers, we should be willing to be the last and the least. If God be glorified, that is enough.