When the LORD told Moses that he would not enter the promised land, Moses asked Him to appoint a new leader so that the people would not be like sheep without a shepherd (Num. 28:15-17).
In response, the LORD told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua and to commission him before the high priest and the entire assembly. Moses was told to give him some of his authority so the whole community would obey him. And Moses did as the LORD instructed him.
Have you ever wondered why God called Joshua and not Caleb to lead the Israelites into the promised land. Both Joshua and Caleb had been sent into Canaan to explore the land. It was Caleb who had first “silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Num. 13:30). The Bible says repeatedly that Caleb “wholeheartedly served the LORD.” Moreover, he was a leader from the tribe of Judah. (Num. 13:6) He was not only a strong spiritual leader, but a warrior, as well. Caleb was forty when Moses sent him into Canaan. Forty-five years later he told Joshua: “Here I am today, eight-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (14:7:12). And off he went to drive the Anakites out of their large and fortified cities. Sounds like he would have been a good choice to me!
Sure, Joshua had served as Moses’ aide since he was a youth (Num. 11:28). But, there is nothing to suggest that Moses presumed that Joshua should succeed him in leading the people, or that Joshua was even equipped to lead them. Nevertheless, it was Joshua and not Caleb that God chose as Moses’ successor, and He told Moses how to facilitate the transition in leadership by preparing the Israelites to accept him as their leader when the time came.
Later, when he assumed command of the Israelites, the people responded to Joshua saying: "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.” (Jos. 16-17).
In response, the LORD told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua and to commission him before the high priest and the entire assembly. Moses was told to give him some of his authority so the whole community would obey him. And Moses did as the LORD instructed him.
Have you ever wondered why God called Joshua and not Caleb to lead the Israelites into the promised land. Both Joshua and Caleb had been sent into Canaan to explore the land. It was Caleb who had first “silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Num. 13:30). The Bible says repeatedly that Caleb “wholeheartedly served the LORD.” Moreover, he was a leader from the tribe of Judah. (Num. 13:6) He was not only a strong spiritual leader, but a warrior, as well. Caleb was forty when Moses sent him into Canaan. Forty-five years later he told Joshua: “Here I am today, eight-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (14:7:12). And off he went to drive the Anakites out of their large and fortified cities. Sounds like he would have been a good choice to me!
Sure, Joshua had served as Moses’ aide since he was a youth (Num. 11:28). But, there is nothing to suggest that Moses presumed that Joshua should succeed him in leading the people, or that Joshua was even equipped to lead them. Nevertheless, it was Joshua and not Caleb that God chose as Moses’ successor, and He told Moses how to facilitate the transition in leadership by preparing the Israelites to accept him as their leader when the time came.
Later, when he assumed command of the Israelites, the people responded to Joshua saying: "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.” (Jos. 16-17).
And they did. In Joshua 24, we’re told that “Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel.”
The Israelites’ response to this transition in leadership was not to tell Joshua “you’re no Moses.” No one asked why he thought he was any better suited to lead them than anyone else. Nor did Caleb or those who undoubtedly supported him complain that he wasn’t chosen.
I am hopeful that when we call our new pastor, we too will unite behind him, just as the Israelites united behind Joshua. Let’s acknowledge his calling by the Lord, even if he isn’t the “Moses” who came before him or the “Caleb” who was available and looked good, but wasn't called.
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