Numbers 27:22-23

²² And Moses did as the Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

²³ And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 27:22-23

Explanation:

God had told Moses to do three things regarding setting up a new leader:

1. Set Joshua before Eleazar the priest in front of the people.
2. Lay hands on Joshua.
3. Give Joshua charge.

And we see that this is exactly what Moses did in this scripture. Moses had been disobedient in the Desert of Zin, but here is was obedient to God even though he was bearing, at some level, the consequences of his own sin.

In the book of Deuteronomy 31 we find written the charge that Moses gave to the Children of Israel concerning Joshua.

31 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.

² And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

³ The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath said.

Deuteronomy 31:2-3

We also find what he told Joshua himself.

⁷ And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

⁸ And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8

Moses was affirming God’s choice of Joshua in front of the people. This is interesting because the whole reason He wasn’t going to the promised land was because he had not sanctified the Lord God in front of the people. He was also encouraging Joshua himself about the success that he would have because of God’s presence with him.

Application

I see several points of application here:

1. Never stop growing in obedience. Moses obeyed God. It was the pattern of his life. Even though he was bearing the consequences of his disobedience, he continued to obey God. He didn’t let his consequences keep him from what was doing right in the sight of GOd and for the nation that he loved.
2. Never stop investing in the next generation. Moses was intentionally investing in Joshua by obeying God in setting him before Eliazar and the people. He gave Joshua credibility and authority. This was critical for their success. He told them key truths that would help them in the future.
3. Never stop believing that God has a plan. God’s plan isn’t thwarted or hindered by any one person. Even though Moses would not be with the children of Israel in the promised land, God’s promises would be realized by the children of Israel. They would go in and conquer. God’s plans are way bigger than any one man.

Response:

1. Where do you need to grow in obedience today?
2. Who do you need to invest in today? How will you do it?
3. How do you need to trust God today for your future?