All Authority Has Been Given

Numbers 27:15-21   -   Moses spoke to the Lord, saying,  "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over the congregation  who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep without a shepherd." So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him;  have him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and commission him in their sight.  You shall give him some of your authority, so that all the congregation of the Israelites may obey.  But he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the decision 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 Israelites with him, the whole congregation."

 

The love of God had manifested itself so deep in Moses…that even when his punishment for disobedience was pronounced...and God told him of his coming death….Moses prays to God.  His prayer was a simple request to God to pick a new leader …so that they will not be left alone…sheep without a shepherd. God answers his prayer by choosing Joshua…a man with a spirit for God….and he gives Moses directions for a simple transfer of authority …with the priest Eleazar present…in front of the whole nation of Israel.

 

I wonder how Joshua felt at that moment of transfer. What a great honor…and yet huge responsibility it would be ….to continue to lead this people so immature in the spirit of God. I wonder what he thought while he was standing in front of that priest…and the people….as Moses laid his hands on him to transfer the authority to lead to his shoulders. Did he do a quick inventory of his life with God up to this moment and wonder if he could handle such a hard job….or simply thank God for bringing him to this point and ask for the help he would need to be a great leader?

 

It must not be important what he thought…for God does not record the thoughts of Joshua. God just has Moses record this moment of transfer for all to see that God chooses leaders in different ways.  Some of us he speaks directly from a burning bush….and calls to specific tasks.  Others he brings up in the nearness of other leaders…to learn from them how…to pray …to be patient…to love the people we lead in spite of the mistakes they will make.  Joshua simply comes…stands before the crowd with Moses and Eleazar the priest… and allows God to charge him with a new job.

 

Just one more thought this morning. If we have accepted Christ into our lives we have received the same charge…the same authority to do God’s work. A string of leaders was chosen until God sent his own son to die on that cross for our sins….and after he rose and conquered even death….he called each one of us …and transferred his own authority to our believing hearts. The job he gave us all to do is recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, “ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Father…I thank you for Moses and his example of strength and courage in the face of death. I thank you for his model of prayer…and his unending love that always thought of the people he led before himself. I thank you for choosing a great leader to fill his job…and giving Joshua the charge and authority to lead the people of Israel.  I thank you that out of this great nation came your only son that died for my sins and saved me from my own demise. Help me to stand quiet and still as you transfer your power and authority to my shoulders…so I can be a strong…and complete the charge you laid upon my shoulders. Amen.