STUDY THEME: JOSHUA: A MODEL OF OBEDIENCE.

“FOLLOWING GODLY LEADERS.”

NUMBERS 27: 15-17, 18-20. JOSHUA 1:1-3, 5-9, 16-18.

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO NUMBERS 27.

In last Sunday’s lesson the people of God stand at the border of the promised land. It has been hundreds of years since this land was first promised to Abraham. It has been a whole generation wandering the desert on the other side of the border. But, now, finally, after so much promise, it is about to become reality. Joshua receives final instructions before going in and claiming the promise. We have been on a long journey through the O.T. already. But all of it, from the fall of Adam, to the promise to Abraham, to the salvation from slavery, through the giving of the law and the wandering and being sustained in the desert, all of it has been leading up to this point.

The Israelites had been existing as a people for hundreds of years for this moment. They are the people of the promise. They stand at the edge of that promise now. I hope you catch the drama of this passage. Everything has led up to them crossing the Jordan River and inhabiting the land God has promised them. But there is a problem.

Moses had served the Lord faithfully and long through many crises. He had provided human leadership for many years. He was the human leader whom God used to deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt. He led them through the Red Sea. He led them to Sinai and mediated God’s covenant at Mt. Sinai. He tried to lead them into the promised land at Kadesh Barnea. He was with them during the years in the wilderness. However God had told Moses that he would die before the people entered into Canaan.

After the Israelites rebelled against God at Kadesh-barnea, they wandered for forty years in the wilderness while that generation passed away. At the end of that time, Moses was nearing death also. He had led the people south of the Dead Sea upon the east side into what we today call the country of Jordan. Near the northern end of the dead Sea, Moses knew the time of change had come for leadership. It was crucial that the right person be selected to follow Moses. Numbers 27 records how God denied Moses entrance into Canaan and chose Joshua as Moses’s successor.

A transition in leadership is crucial in many areas of life. It is true also in a local church. When the faithful, loving pastor comes to the end of his tenure, it is crucial that the church find a godly successor. People have to have confidence in the character and integrity of a religious leader. It is as true today as it was true in Moses day.

The suggested “Biblical Truth” for today’s lesson is that God has established leadership for His people and He wants them to follow leaders who reflect His character. The suggested “Life Impact” is to help us to consistently follow leaders who reflect God’s character.

1. PLEASE READ NUMBERS 27: 15-17

The setting for this passage is after the Lord had told Moses that he would not be allowed to enter the promised land. Numbers 20:1-13 tells how Moses failed to obey the Lord completely when he was provoked once again by the people’s complaints.

At a time when the people needed water and there was none, they complained against Moses and Aaron, their leaders. In response, the Lord told Moses to gather the people and speak twice to a particular rock in the presence of the people. In his anger, Moses struck the rock with his rod and the water gushed forth. Thus Moses and Aaron had disqualified themselves by this action at Meribah. Now, Aaron had already died in Ch. 20, but the Lord now allowed Moses a glimpse of Canaan from afar. From the top of Mt. Nebo Moses beheld the view to the west. While he was allowed to view the promised land from a distance, he could not enter it.

Thus the narrative in Numbers 20: 15-20 occurred near the end of Moses’ life and shortly before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Moses had wanted to lead them on this final step, but he was told that someone else would do it. Moses’ disappointment about not being permitted to enter Canaan himself did not keep him from being interested in God’s choosing a new leader for the people.

The first thing Moses did was to ask God to show who the next leader would be. Moses did not choose his successor, nor did the people select him. Instead, God named him. This points up the first principle for seeking godly leaders. We must pray for the Lord to lead the people of God to a leader whom God wants for a specific task. In Baptist churches, the church approves a person as pastor. The pastor search committee and the church must bathe every step of the process with prayer.

Moses used a rare title for the Lord. He called Him the God of the spirits of all flesh. The title recognizes the sovereignty of God over all people. It emphasizes His concern for the spiritual welfare of His people. It refers to God’s omniscient understanding of everyone, which guaranteed the wisdom of His choice. In vs. 16 Moses asked God to appoint a man over the congregation.

Moses greatest concern was that Israel have a good leader who was like a shepherd. The Lord answered his request in the man Joshua. There is no record that Moses questioned God’s decision that he not enter the promised land.

The new leader needed to be able to go out before them and go in before them. He also needed to be able to lead them out and bring them in. The first pair probably is a reference to his leadership in battle. The other may reflect his role as shepherd of the flock. Supporting this view is the last part of vs. 17: that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd. Leaders often were compared to shepherds. They were to care for, lead, defend, and feed their flock. Ezekiel 34:1-6 compared the people of his day to sheep without a shepherd. Many claimed to be shepherds, but many were unworthy of the title. In Matt. 9:36 Jesus saw the multitudes as sheep without a shepherd. As in Ezekiel’s day there were many would-be shepherds, but they neglected true care for their people.

2. PLEASE READ NUMBERS 27: 18-20

For a generation the Israelites lived the lives of desert nomads, with the Oasis of Kadesh-barnea as their tribal center. They then moved round the southern end of the Dead Sea, and occupied most of the territory east of the Jordan River. It was here that Moses handed over the leadership to Joshua, who had been selected by the Lord as a man, according to Deut. 34:9, “Full of the spirit of wisdom.”

Joshua had spiritual authority for leadership. The reference to his having the spirit means that he was endowed with a special capacity to do a task assigned by the Lord. Israel’s new leader would need God’s power operating in and through him as he guided Israel to take possession of Canaan. The Lord always enables people to do the tasks that He calls them to do. His calling is His enabling. I

In vs. 18 God instructed Moses to set apart the new leader by laying his hand on Joshua. Laying hands on an individual was a public recognition of appointment to a special role in the community. In this case, it also symbolized the transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua and illustrated the reception of God’s anointing for Joshua’s special task. The person on whom hands were laid became the substitute or representative of the one laying hands on him.

In vs. 19-20 God wanted the appointment of Joshua to be done publicly before the religious leaders and the people. So He instructed Moses, “Have him stand before Eleazar, the priest and the entire assembly.” Eleazar had taken Moses’ brother Aaron’s place as the priest when Aaron died. Setting Joshua before the high priest was another way of declaring him to be God’s chosen leader.

During his lifetime, Moses himself was a priest who stood before God. Joshua, who was not from the tribe of Levi, would count on Eleazar to perform the priestly roles. This does not mean that Joshua was not a deeply spiritual leader, for he was; however, he never had the face-to-face-relation with God that Moses had. The laying on of hands probably was the commissioning service for Joshua.

In the congregation’s presence, Moses was to demonstrate the transfer of his authority to Joshua. Give him some of your authority indicates Israel would know they were to obey Joshua as they had followed Moses. “Authority” also can be rendered “respect.” Receiving some of Moses’ authority gave Joshua a measure of respect needed to inspire Israel to follow his leadership even while Moses was still alive. To maintain the congregation’s confidence, Joshua would need to demonstrate spiritual authority consistently. In fact, Joshua’s other leadership qualities would flow from this foundation of spiritual strength.

A new leader will not be like the old leader. No two people are just alike. Thus a new leader is not called to replace the former leader but to use his own talents in fulfilling God’s call. When Thomas Jefferson presented his credentials as the U.S. Minister to France, the French premier said, “I see that you have come to replace Benjamin Franklin,” who had been very popular with the French. Jefferson wisely replied, “I have come to succeed him. No one can replace him.” Joshua was not called to be Moses but to be himself and to do what he had been called to do. He was now about 80 years old. The same age Moses was when he became the leader of Israel from Egypt.

PLEASE TURN NOW TO THE BOOK OF JOSHUA CHAPTER 1.

3. PLEASE READ JOSHUA 1: 1-3

Joshua is one of the 12 historical books of the O.T. including all those from Joshua to Esther. Moses’ death and burial are recorded in Deut. 34:1-8. The events in the Book of Joshua begin after the 30 days of mourning following Moses’ death.

Moses’ death was especially traumatic for Israel, for Moses was the only leader they ever had followed. Fortunately, Moses had made careful preparations for the transition to go smoothly. God had led Moses to select Joshua before his death. Moses also made a point of presenting Joshua to the people and stressing that Joshua was his successor. Joshua was well qualified to be the leader at this particular time in the life of Israel. He had had experience in warfare. He had been assistant to Moses for many years. He and Caleb had proved their faith and courage at Kadesh Barnea.

Just as Moses had the qualities to lead Israel out of Egypt, so did Joshua have the qualities needed as they prepared to cross the Jordan and conquer Canaan. Moses’ death is described in Deut 34: 1-8. Joshua 1:1-3 picks up where Deuteronomy leaves off. God spoke to Joshua and said, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people. The Jordan River was the eastern border of Canaan and provided a first barrier to be crossed.

God used the word give to describe what He promised to do with the promised land. However, this giving was conditioned on their trusting and obeying the Lord. Vs.3 is both a promise and a challenge. The promise was that they would receive every place on which Joshua’s foot trod. This was just as God had promised to Moses. Although Joshua was not Moses, he was able to build on Moses’ work to do something that he was better equipped to do than Moses—conquer Canaan.

Moses and Joshua were first of all servants of God, but this made them also servant-leaders of God’s people. Jesus repeatedly taught and showed that humble service to others and to God are the marks of true greatness in God’s sight. Moses and Joshua are the O.T. examples of servant leaders.

A servant-leader points people not to himself but to the Lord. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 3:1-9 who were arguing which leader was the best. Paul said one leader sowed the seed and another watered it, but only God makes it grow. Paul said in 2 Cor. 4:5 that he preached Christ, not himself. Servant leaders point people to the Lord. Human leaders come and go but Heb. 13:7-8 says, “Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

4. PLEASE READ JOSHUA 1: 5-9

Moses had used these same words in his charge to Joshua In Deut 31:7-8 God sought to encourage as well as challenge His servant Joshua. Three themes run through these verses. One is the challenge for Joshua to be strong and of good courage. This challenge is fund in Joshua 1:Vs. 6, 7a, and 9.

Joshua’s courage would arise at least partly from promises God made to His new leader. Promise number one in vs. 5: “no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. Wow! Can you imagine how such a promise must have encouraged Joshua? Essentially, the Lord guaranteed lifetime victory for Joshua. But there is more.

Promise number two: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” The Lord’s presence with Moses had meant protection, provision, guidance, and spiritual authority. The Lord’s presence had been real to Moses every step of the way; and so it would be for Joshua. The Lord never abandoned Moses; He wouldn’t abandon Joshua either. But there is more still.

Promise number three: “you will lead these people to inherit the land.” The Lord’s promises to His leader were tied to a greater promise to His people. Joshua was called to participate in the Lord’s redemptive plan. He could act courageously because He was involved in something greater than his personal agenda and greater than any opposition he might encounter from the Lord’s enemies.

A fourth characteristic of godly leaders might be described as “a high view of Scripture.” The basic message of vs. 7b-8 is “observe to do according to all the law.” The Law refers to the commands God gave to Israel when He made the covenant with them. In Vs. 8, this book of he law is mentioned. This may refer to the books of the Pentateuch, the five books written by Moses. Gen., Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. For us today the Law represents the scriptures, which means the Old and New Testaments.

In vs.7b Joshua was commanded not to turn either to the right hand or to the left. In other words, he was to move straight ahead in obeying the law. Imagine God’s Law as being similar to the center line on a highway. He was not to deviate from that course. God’s law shall not depart out of his mouth. He should live it and share it with others. He was to mediate therein day and night.

Vs. 8 repeats two things from Vs. 7. One is the importance of obeying the law. The other is a promise of success and prosperity if he did these things. The point of these verses in this lesson n is that godly leaders know and do what God says in His Word. They mediate on God’s Word day and night. They live by it and teach others to do so. Living a Christian life is not easy in a sinful world. Leaders must set the right examples. To do that, they must live in the Word of God. All Christians should do the same. In this way, the people follow God as He reveals Himself in His Word.

5. PLEASE READ JOSHUA 1: 16-18

After receiving God’s instructions and encouragement, Joshua ordered the People in Vs. 10-15 to prepare for entering the promised land. They were to gather supplies for the journey. Joshua instructed the men of the tribes who had been given land east of the Jordan River to prepare to lead the way. The Lord had spoken to Joshua, and the new leader had responded in obedience. Now the question was whether the people would commit themselves to follow Joshua.

The context of Vs. 12-15 shows that the speakers in Vs. 16-17 were those Israelites who had chosen to settle on the east side of the Jordan River. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh had made a special request of Moses. They asked to be allowed to settle on the east side of the Jordan. Moses spoke plainly to them. He allowed them to settle their families there on one condition—that the fighting men of these tribes cross the river and help the other tribes conquer Canaan. They promised to do this.

Now that Moses was dead, these Israelites repeated their promise to the new leader Joshua. They promised to do whatever Joshua commanded and to go wherever he sent them. They showed their trust in Joshua by saying they would obey Joshua just as they had Moses. Their prayer and trust was that the Lord would be with Joshua as He had been with Moses.

The three tribes would trust and follow Joshua if he would trust and follow the Lord. Joshua’s trustworthiness as the tribes’ new leader would not rest in Joshua the man but in Joshua the man of God. The leadership of Moses had convinced the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that their leader must have the presence of the Lord with him.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL SKIP CH. 2 OF JOSHUA AND FROM JOSHUA 3 & 4 WE WILL SEE THE VALUE OF LEAVING A LEGACY OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD. THE KEY VERSE IS JOSHUA 4:24 “He did this so that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord our God forever.”

A.V. DAUGHERTY 9-9-01.

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