Commissioning a New Leader
How could anyone ever fill the shoes of Moses? Moses had probably been the greatest leader for God's people up to that time, and he could have been the greatest leader ever. Just think about leading over 2 million people across the Red Sea, to Sinai to meet with God and receive the law, and through the wilderness for 40 years. That was a huge task. However, because of his failure to speak to the rock for water, he was not permitted to lead the people into the land of Canaan. For this God told Him to commission Joshua. (Numbers 27:18,19) Let's see what was involved in this transition.
A new leader had to be wise. Joshua had the Spirit in him to guide him in the ways of the Lord. That was an absolute necessity. Then, Moses was to lay his hand on him, symbolizing the transfer of his authority to Joshua, and he was to do this in front of the people. Also, all of this was done before Eleazar the priest. This way all of the people would have confidence that they could follow Him, as they had followed Moses, and that Joshua was God's choice to lead with God's blessing. A new leader needs all of these things, when he is following a great leader like Moses. I know this does not apply to our nation in our situation today, but it applies to any church or any organization of the Lord. We need godly wise leaders, who have been chosen and commissioned by God and their predecessors.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 28-30.
A new leader had to be wise. Joshua had the Spirit in him to guide him in the ways of the Lord. That was an absolute necessity. Then, Moses was to lay his hand on him, symbolizing the transfer of his authority to Joshua, and he was to do this in front of the people. Also, all of this was done before Eleazar the priest. This way all of the people would have confidence that they could follow Him, as they had followed Moses, and that Joshua was God's choice to lead with God's blessing. A new leader needs all of these things, when he is following a great leader like Moses. I know this does not apply to our nation in our situation today, but it applies to any church or any organization of the Lord. We need godly wise leaders, who have been chosen and commissioned by God and their predecessors.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 28-30.