Numbers 11:26

Eldad, and—Medad: and the spirit rested upon them, &c.— Mr. Saurin observes, that this prophecy of Eldad and Medad has given handle to an impostor to forge a work under the name of the former: the author of the Book of Hermes says, he borrowed an oracle from thence. Witsius is of opinion, that St. James had the answer of Moses, Numbers 11:29 in view, when he made use of those difficult expressions in his epistle, ch. Numbers 4:5. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? but he giveth more grace. Witsius cannot find, in any part of the Scripture, these words, unless in the case we are now upon; and he thus paraphrases St. James's words: "Do you imagine that the Spirit, which regenerates us, stirs us up to envy, or other passions of the like nature?—On the contrary, it affords us fresh occasion of thankfulness, and inspires us with new pleasure, when our neighbours receive its gifts as well as we: of this Moses is an instance, when he said, Art thou jealous on my account? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets."