Bubbling Over with the Words of God 

by Kris Hevenor 

“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 on them!’” —Numbers 11:29, ESV 

When I encountered this verse a couple of months ago, I was dumbfounded. Why had I never noticed this before? It was like a lightning bolt cracked in my spirit—and it’s been there ever since. Would that … if only … what if? 

If you’ve never studied this passage, let me give you a brief synopsis. I suggest you go back and read Numbers 11 for yourself for the full story! God’s people, on their trek to the Promised Land, complained to Moses (surprise, surprise). They craved what they were missing from the past, all the wonderful things about Egypt. Moses, tired of listening to their whining, begged God for help with managing them. So, God brilliantly instructed Moses to choose 70 elders, leaders of the people, on whom He would place his Spirit, so that they could bear the burden of the people along with Moses, and he would not have to carry it alone. Moses did as he was instructed—he gathered the elders around the Tabernacle, the Spirit rested upon them, and they prophesied. 

For some unknown reason, two of the elders stayed behind in the camp and were not present during this installation at the Tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested on them, as well, and they prophesied right there in the camp. When this was reported to Joshua, he protested to Moses to make them stop. They couldn’t have prophesying in the camp! But Moses replied, “I wish … if only … would that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!” (My paraphrase.) 

What is a prophet? According to Merriam-Webster, a prophet is “one who utters divinely inspired revelations.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary notes that the word comes from a root meaning “to bubble forth, as from a fountain.” I love this! In other words, a prophet overflows with words from God. 

In my role as the (now retired) territorial sergeant-major, I spent the past five years listening to soldiers, being inspired by what’s happening in our corps, connecting ideas from one location to another, and envisioning an Army where all the Lord’s people are prophesying with the Spirit of the Lord. Mostly, I have been encouraged. Soldiers are being equipped and empowered to partner with their officers in “getting people saved, keeping people saved, and getting other people saved.” In the process, the ministry becomes less burdensome, negativity is minimized, and all Salvationists are leaning into their calling and covenant. 

One of the unique aspects of our denomination is our firm belief in “the priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9). This priesthood doesn’t end at evangelism. It extends to preaching, teaching, prophesying, imagining, envisioning! Will you join me in proclaiming, along with Moses, that we desire all Salvationists to be prophets, all Salvationists to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and all Salvationists to bubble over with the words God plants in their hearts? 

Just imagine what that could look like!

Kris Hevenor is a soldier in the Lowell Corps, Mass., and recently served the USA East as territorial sergeant-major.