15Moses said to the Lord,
16"May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community
17to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
18So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.
- P122
19Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence.
20Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
21He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in."
- P123
22Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly.
23Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.
- P123
Israel is preparing to enter Canaan, but Moses’s task is coming to an end. The responsibility of leading the next generation of God’s people will belong to another. From the top of a high mountain, Moses is blessed to see the land his people will inherit. It is, for God’s servant, a time of reflection. - P124
Moses may have considered the successes and failures of the past, but he is also aware of the future. Because Moses cares deeply about the people he has led for many years, he asks God to provide a new leader for the people so that they will not be like sheep without a shepherd. - P124
Despite his failures, he looks to the future, seeking God’s blessings on His people. - P124
Joshua is God’s chosen servant to lead His people. In a public ceremony, Joshua stands before the congregation and Eleazar the priest as Moses lays his hand on him. - P124
Two aspects of leadership stand out here. First, the former leader bestows some of his authority upon the new one. Second, God’s people witness the passing of the mantle. - P124
They see Moses acknowledge that his task is complete, and the new leader is blessed to take up God-given authority. However, Joshua will not operate alone. He will have the support of Eleazar the priest who will assist him in his new role. - P124
We see an example of a godly change in leadership that is marked by humility, openness, and support. - P124
"The fruits of your life are born often in your pain and in your vulnerability and inyour losses. The fruits of your life come only after the plow has carved through yourland. God wants you to be fruitful."- Henri Nouwen - P124
Dear God, grant me the wisdom to recognize the successes and learn from the failures in my life. May I keep in step with Your Holy Spirit through every change. - P125
In every season, help me reflect Your humility and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P125
God commands Moses to instruct Israel on regular offerings. Each day, aburnt offering of two lambs, one in the morning and one at twilight, is tobe made, along with a grain offering. On the Sabbath, two lambs are to beoffered together with a drink offering and grain offering. God gives additionalinstructions for monthly offerings. - P127
God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture. We can also use His words to respond to Him. Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse. "May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone overthis community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them outand bring them in." - Numbers 27:16-17a - P129
|