Numbers 11:27-29 ‘So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain 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 upon them!”’ Jealousy can be an easy emotion to come by. It’s triggered when we want something that another person has or we may feel threaten by someone. It’s a mixture of craving and feeling threatened. It does not involve our rational mind. Our insecurity may get triggered and jealousy kicks in and takes over. I think of the fight, flight response. It’s almost like the brain chemicals kick in and our frontal lobe shuts down. Others can spur on the jealousy. In this passage, the young man ran urgently to report the news. He was overtaken with the story. He could have easily have transmitted this energy to Moses. Then Joshua felt threatened by the news. To the point that he encouraged restraining them. Joshua went from calm to alarm quickly. Fortunately, Moses wasn’t bothered. We may succumb to jealousy because we like the pity/attention upon ourselves. The messager and Joshua were pouring it on thick. It’s almost like they were saying, “Moses, prophesying is your job. They are trying to take it from you.” Our insecurity can be lured in with the attention/ pity. Jealousy goes to bad places in us. We begin to despise those that threaten us. The rational part of us is gone. Panic sets in. We feel the need to cling to, which drives people away. That which we are trying to secure is being lost. We panic further and try harder. The further it drifts. The key is being secure in the Lord’s provision and protection of us. He will provide our needs. We don’t need to fight for it. Jesus told the story of taking the lower seat at the banguet. Jealousy attempts to fight for the right seat. Jesus says to avoid that. Don’t even engage the jealous emotion. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” How do we do that? Collosians 3: says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” God’s peace is that wonderful, palpable presence in our hearts. Anything that causes that peace to subside needs to be removed or monitored. Jealousy and peace can’t abide together. If getting the right seat stresses us out, take the ones no one’s fighting over. Don’t play that game. Moses was not only not threatened, he wanted more of it. “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets.” Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.” Moses wasn’t hourding what was his. He was casting the blessings to everyone. He knew from long ago that God would care for what’s his. Lord, help us to let Your peace guide us. Help us not to let jealousy in. Thank You that You will provide what we need.