Numbers 27: 15-23
Since Moses will not be leading the people into the Promised Land, he asks God for someone to do this, so they won't be like sheep without a shepherd (vs. 15-17).
So God tells him to, take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence (vs. 18-19).
(V. 20) Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Moses is only to give him some of his authority, but they were to all obey him.
(V. 21) He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord...
Joshua didn't have the Lord speak to him face-to-face, as He did Moses; he was to go to the priest who would ask God by the Urim (like dice) that the High Priest kept in the pocket of the breastplate he wore. This is the pattern for all the other leaders after Joshua.
(Vs. 22-23) Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.
God had told Moses and Aaron that neither of them would be entering the Promised Land with the Israelites, and Aaron died and was buried on Mount Horeb. So Moses shows his care for the people in not wanting them to be as sheep without a shepherd, and asks God for a replacement.
So God gives him Joshua, who had been Moses' protege. And He makes sure that all the people know that he will have the authority and leadership over them as they enter this Land and begin to conquer the native tribes who occupy the Land now.
O Father, thank You for Your wisdom and Your lovingkindness toward Your people. Thank You for telling us all these stories of how Your people followed You and were blessed, or disobeyed or wandered from You and suffered the consequences. Help us to learn from these ancient people to apply these principles in our own lives today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
