Numbers 27:12-23

All right. Let us go back to the book of Numbers then, in chapter 27. A new generation requires a new leader.

As I said, as we are moving forward with this new generation, God decides that it needs a new leader. Of course, Moses had disqualified himself; he could not go any further. So there must needs be a new leader for the whole nation.

It is interesting to think of it in terms of these generations (the old leaders and new leaders) that God mentions here very specifically that Moses himself had disqualified himself in the same way as that other generation—that he had rebelled against God, rebelled against His command. And God did not want any rebels, even Moses, who you would not think as being a rebellious person (as a matter of fact, in Hebrews, it says that he was faithful in all God’s house).

But there was that one time that he rebelled and it was a big sin—because God consistently mentions the fact that at that time, when Moses rebelled, he did not hallow God before the people. If Moses had rebelled in private, let us say, it was not nearly as bad as him rebelling before all the congregation of Israel and seeing him do just as they did. He was supposed to lead them and be a better example, to show them the right way (the godly way), and to be a light to them. But he had failed in that and God said, “No, you can’t enter the land.” By the way, he also did it at the same place that Israel rebelled, which was Kadesh.

So you see that Moses was identified with that former generation at this point, which is sad to see, but we know that he will be there in the Kingdom of God. It just gives you pause to think what one sin can do to your future and your reputation.

The new leader, of course, is Joshua. And it is interesting, let us first understand this (we know this I think), ‘Joshua’ is the same essential name as ‘Jesus’ (Yeshuah). So there is obviously an identification, a parallel, between the two of them. Yeshuah (Joshua, Jesus) was appointed by God as the new leader of a new generation—a generation that He would make His own special people. He is the one (Jesus) who will go in and conquer and set up His Kingdom in this new Promised Land. Clearly, an obvious parallel there.

What was the thing about Joshua that set him apart? Not just the fact that he had been faithful to Moses all those years and he had been basically their war leader for many years, but one of the big factors, along with Caleb, is that Joshua brought a good report. Put in other words, he brought the gospel, the good news—the gospel of the Promised Land, you might say. That is exactly how Jesus is identified. In Mark chapter 1 verses 14 and 15, Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”

So we have three very clear parallels here: the name, the fact that he brought a good report, and that he will be the one to lead the new generation and conquer the land.

But there is another one that comes out of this and I think this is just as exciting as those others. That is the fact that Moses, in verse 17 here, says that he asked for a leader who will lead them out, bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd. So Joshua not only was the war leader and their new preacher and their new leader, but he was considered the shepherd of Israel at this point.

Numbers 27:18-23

While gifts come from God, He often confirms and recognizes them through mature spiritual leaders. The laying on of hands represents recognition, commissioning, blessing, identification with God's work. Pastors and church leaders may recognize teaching, leadership, evangelistic, or pastoral gifts before the individual fully recognizes them. We should receive godly counsel from mature believers who can help discern and affirm God's calling.