Moses' Successor

Because of what happened at the waters of Meribah, when God said to him: "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." (Numbers 20:12). Moses went so far as to plead to be allowed to cross and see the good land beyond the Jordan, and God answered that it was enough and that he should speak no more of the matter: "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter." (Deuteronomy 3:25-26). It was discipline over his earthly mission, not rejection of his person. Hebrews places Moses among those who lived by faith: "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27). And centuries later, on the mount of transfiguration, "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." (Matthew 17:3). Moses did not lose his salvation; he lost the crossing of the Jordan.

It is the promise of presence that Moses made to the people and to Joshua on the same day: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6) and "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 31:8). Afterwards, God Himself repeated it to Joshua: "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Joshua 1:5). And Hebrews hands it to the church: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5). It is not a promise of a life without struggle; Joshua was going to war. It is the guarantee that God goes along, and goes ahead.

Not as a rule. Moses had sons, and the one chosen was none of them: it was Joshua the son of Nun, whom God Himself pointed out as a man in whom is the Spirit (Numbers 27:18). Spiritual leadership is not an inheritance of blood, and the Holy Spirit is not an object that one man passes on to whomever he wishes. A pastor's son may indeed be called by God, but by the same road as anyone else: God's call, proven character, a good testimony and the recognition of the church (1 Timothy 3:6; Acts 16:2). A surname is not a criterion; faithfulness is.

Deuteronomy 31 gives the way. Moses encouraged the people before encouraging the new leader (Deuteronomy 31:6-7), because the transition belongs to the whole household. The church supports the one who arrives with prayer and unity, without comparing the new with the old and without forming factions. The one who leaves encourages in public and does not keep governing from the outside. And everyone remembers whose the church is: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28). Peter asks the pastors to feed the flock "Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3). The pastor passes; the Owner of the church remains.

The name. Joshua, in Hebrew Yehoshua, means "the LORD saves", the same name given to Mary's Son: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21). Joshua led Israel into the land, but Hebrews shows that that was not the final rest: "For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." (Hebrews 4:8-9). Joshua is a shadow; Jesus is the Savior who brings His people into the true rest, and, unlike Moses and Joshua, He continues forever (Hebrews 7:24).

It is worth a great deal. Paul wrote: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). He did not say that planting and watering are useless; he said that the growth does not depend on the one who plants. Every servant of God is useful; none is indispensable. That does not diminish anyone; it sets them free. If the work depended on you, it would be hostage to your health and your mood. Since it depends on God, you can serve with everything you have and, at the right time, hand over the role in peace.