God’s ways are… so often different from what we expect…
Different and puzzling… we are tempted to question them…
In fact… they question us!

The text of today’s 1st reading does precisely this (Number 11:25-29).
In the scene described, we see the Jewish leader, Moses, and we are told that, on him, God’s Spirit rests.
God then decides to share his Spirit also with 70 elders who start to prophesy.

Then, two more men who, even absent from the group, are also invested with God’s Spirit.
They, too, are given the gift of prophesy.

A young man wonders about this…
So does Joshua who has been Moses’ assistant from his youth.
How can this be?
Elders are usually recognized as wise people, but who are those two men, Eldad and Medad, who remained in the camp…?
How is it that they are also enjoying God’s special gift?

God does not limit his choice to people we think deserve his gifts.
Categories, grades, classes, ranks, parameters – these are all human inventions!
God does not restrict his blessings according to our concepts.
He does not conform himself to our judgements so limited and often prejudiced…

God is a God of abundant, immeasurable generosity who enjoys pouring his blessings on human beings.
And, let’s be honest: none of us deserves them!

Many years after Moses’ death, the prophets will tell the people of Israel about this God – their God.
Through one of them, Isaiah, God will say:

“My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

We must constantly remind ourselves of this…

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/26e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/

Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/numbers-11-26-web.php