Numbers 27:18-23: a reflection

18The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight. 20You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. 21He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” 22Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD spoke by Moses.

As Moses nears the end of his life, God provides for the continuation of his work by appointing a successor. Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, God says, and lay your hand on him; commission him in the sight of all the people, and invest him with some of your authority. Moses does so, publicly commissioning Joshua to lead Israel after him. The great leader would pass, but the work would not; God had already prepared and equipped the one who would carry it forward.

Notice God's provision for continuity. Moses' leadership was singular, and his death might have seemed like the end of an era with no clear future. But God had already raised up and equipped Joshua, a man in whom was the Spirit, and arranged for an orderly handoff, so that the work would continue beyond Moses. The mission did not depend on any one person, however great; God provided for what came next.

That is a reassuring truth about God's work. It does not rest finally on any single person, however important they seem; God provides for its continuation, raising up and equipping those who will carry it forward. This frees us from two errors: the pride of thinking the work depends on us, and the fear that it will collapse when we, or some key leader, are gone. God is able to raise up successors, to equip the next generation, to carry his work beyond any one life. Do your part faithfully, and trust God for what comes after you. The work is his, not yours; he who equipped Joshua to follow Moses will provide for what comes next.

Lord, as Moses neared the end, you provided for the continuation of his work by raising up and equipping Joshua, a man in whom was your Spirit, and arranging an orderly handoff, so that the mission would continue beyond Moses. Free me by that truth from two errors: the pride of thinking your work depends on me, and the fear that it will collapse when I, or some key leader, am gone. Your work rests finally on you, not on any one person; you provide for its continuation, raising up and equipping those who will carry it forward. Help me do my part faithfully, and trust you for what comes after me. You who equipped Joshua to follow Moses will provide for what comes next; help me rest in that.