The Israelites had only known Moses as their leader from the Exodus through their wandering in the wilderness and up to their entry into the Promised Land.
Now, it was time for a change. Moses prepared his successor, Joshua, to start leading the people.
When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them,
“I am now one hundred twenty years old. I am no longer able to get about, and the Lord has told me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan'” (Deuteronomy 31:1-2).
Joshua is the human leader, but more importantly, God will lead the people across the Jordan River into the promised land.
The Lord your God himself will cross over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua also will cross over before you, as the Lord promised (Deuteronomy 31:3).
The Israelites are entering a new land that is filled with hostile inhabitants. God reminds them that He is going with them and will ensure their victory as He did over the Egyptians.
“Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
I’ve often been asked to do things way beyond my abilities. I had to do them because they were part of the mission God called me to, but that didn’t make me any less scared.
What I learned is that when I trusted God, things usually turned out better than I could have imagined. When they didn’t go well, it was certainly my fault, not God’s.
Let’s not let fear keep us from experiencing God’s purpose for our lives.
God’s Succession Plan
I’m sure Joshua felt a heavy burden when he had to follow Moses. How would he handle the issues Moses faced?
Moses dealt with hostile armies and also had to manage the Israelites, who were constantly in conflict among themselves.
Moses told Joshua to be brave as he faced the tough job of being a leader. He reminded him that the Lord would be with him and provide everything needed for the task.
As we study the Book of Joshua, we will see that the call for boldness and confidence in the Lord will be frequently repeated.
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them, and you will put them in possession of it.
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).
Henry Blackaby often refers to scriptures like the one we’re studying today. He reminds us that God is active in the world and has a relationship with people. In this relationship, God calls us to big tasks that only He can accomplish.
This creates a crisis of faith. Do we trust God, or do we rely only on our human resources and shrink back?
Time and again, God urges us to trust Him. He will fulfill what He leads us to do.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 