We next see Joshua in Numbers 27:18-23 as God is preparing Moses to pass on leadership.
18 The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. 21 When direction from the Lord is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the Lord—to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.”
22 So Moses did as the Lord commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. 23 Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses.
I remember when I first started in ministry, I wanted to do all the leading and teaching myself. I got to the point that I only trusted myself. I really did not know how to pass leadership on.
Things to notice about Joshua
- He had the Spirit in Him. Spirit led leadership is the best kind. As Brother Jim Wideman says, “Thus saith the Lord works every time.” I have missed in my leadership only when I do what I want and miss God.
- He had been being groomed by God through Moses for years. He didn’t just one day decide to make him a leader. He had been training him. Who am I training?
- Moses transferred some authority to him before he died. He had some responsibility even while Moses was still alive. What things can I transfer on to someone else while I am still alive?