The Biblical Basis for Society and the Rule of Law.
(Part Two - Appointing a Successor)
(Numbers 27: 12-23)
Transcript.
Here's a question you probably haven't given much thought to, unless particular circumstances have forced you to: Who is your successor?
You might wonder what I'm talking about. One situation where you may be forced to consider this question is if you're a parent with young children and imagine that you and your spouse were in an accident and both of you were killed, but your children survived. Who would take care of your children? This is just one example of a situation that makes you think about succession. Who will take on the responsibility and care for the major responsibilities in your life.
There are other scenarios where you might need to think about this. For instance, if you're a business owner, you need to consider who will take over your business when you're no longer able to. I know of several cases where business owners had to think through their succession plans. One of the biggest most critically acclaimed shows in recent years has been about that very subject.
Another situation that involves succession is when a pastor leaves a church for one reason or another. The church then must figure out who will be the next pastor. I recently heard of a church that is currently without a pastor and is in the process of a pastoral search. In the church tradition I served in, when this happens, the congregation has to vote on the new pastor.
This raises an important question: What do you look for when you have to choose a successor? What qualifications or characteristics should a successor have? This applies across the board in all these situations. Does the bible have anything to say about choosing a successor?
Interestingly, the issue of succession is addressed in the Book of Numbers. In fact, it comes up here in the second half of Numbers chapter 27.
Last time, we discussed the first part of chapter 27, which talked about inheritance. This situation is similar but different.
So, let's look at this situation as depicted in Numbers chapter 27, in today’s episode of TBPDP.
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. 13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, 14 for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honour me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.) 15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.” 22 Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.
(Number 27: 12-26)
This passage of Scripture contains some fascinating details about Moses’ successor. It begins with the Lord instructing Moses to go up to a mountain. This isn't just any mountain; it's part of the Abarim range that includes Mount Nebo.
The Lord then tells Moses to look at the land of Israel from the top of this mountain. It is at this point that God explains to him that although Moses can see the land, he will not enter it due to his previous disobedience.
Understanding the geography here adds depth to the narrative. Israel is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and to the east, the Sea of Galilee, from which the Jordan River flows down to the Dead Sea. The land east of the Dead Sea, now modern-day Jordan, was known as Moab during Moses' time. Mount Nebo is situated on this eastern side.
The Lord is telling Moses that although he can see he Promised Land from Mount Nebo, but he will not enter it.
I've heard that on a clear day, you can see all the way from Mount Nebo across the dead see and the Land of Israel to the Mediterranean Sea over 60 miles away.
After viewing the land, the people were promised and confirming that they will still enter it, the Lord informs Moses that he will be gathered to his people, joining his brother Aaron who has already passed away.
This part of the passage, verses 12 through 14, addresses Moses' imminent death. Many people avoid such conversations, leading to unresolved issues when they pass away.
It's interesting that in the Victorian era's there was a reluctance to discuss sex but great openness about death, whereas today, the opposite is true.
Moses, however, addresses his death head-on and brings up the need for a successor. So, Moses speaks to the Lord, asking Him to appoint a man over the nation who can lead them, so they won't be like sheep without a shepherd.
What is intriguing here is that the Lord has not yet mentioned a successor, but Moses brings it up. This demonstrates Moses' awareness of his role and his concern for the people to be led after his death highlighting his great qualities as an exceptional leader.
Moses refers to God as " the God who gives breath to all living things," acknowledging that God knows everything about everyone. So, He asks God to select the next leader, ensuring that the choice will be wise and divinely guided.
This again emphasizes Moses' selflessness and his dedication to the welfare of the Israelites, seeking God's guidance in appointing his successor to ensure the continued well-being of the people.
You have to respect Moses for his amazing reaction when confronted with his own impending death. To put this in perspective, consider other biblical figures: In 1 Samuel 28, Saul panicked when faced with his death. Similarly, in 2 Kings 20, when Hezekiah was told about his death, he asked for a longer life. Unlike Saul and Hezekiah, Moses, upon learning about his death, immediately thought about his successor.
This shows Moses' unselfishness and concern for the continuity of leadership for the Israelites.
Moses wisely asks the Lord to choose his successor, recognizing that God knows everyone perfectly. The Lord's response is clear: He selects Joshua, the son of Nun.
In verse 18, the Lord tells Moses to take Joshua, a man described as being, “filled with the Spirit”, and present him before Eleazar the priest and the entire congregation to inaugurate him as the new leader.
Joshua's selection is not surprising given his history. He has worked closely with Moses, gaining valuable experience along the way. More importantly, Joshua was one of the two spies, along with Caleb, who believed in God's promise and wanted to enter the land of Canaan, demonstrating his faith.
Yet, the primary reason for his selection mentioned in this passage is that he is a man in whom the Spirit resides.
Joshua has shown it all in his journey alongside Moses. Courage in battle, humility, sincerity, and faith—all true characteristics needed by a great leader.
However, the distinguishing feature highlighted in Numbers 27 is that Joshua is “filled with the Spirit”. To widen our understanding of this better, listen to what Deuteronomy tells us:
"Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him and did as the Lord commanded Moses."
(Deut 34: 9)
This verse is referencing the events in Numbers 27, reinforcing that Joshua's selection was divinely inspired and based on his spiritual qualifications. His being filled with the Spirit of wisdom made him the ideal successor to Moses, ensuring that the leadership of the Israelites would continue under God's guidance.
This connection between the Holy Spirit and wisdom is significant and often overlooked. In my early Christian experience, I often heard about the filling of the Holy Spirit, but it was a confusing topic at times.
Over the years I think that as I developed a deeper understanding of the Christian spiritual life, I came to understand that there is a repeated biblical connection between the Holy Spirit and wisdom.
Lets look for a moment at some passages that highlight this relationship.
The Spirit of Wisdom in Scripture
1. Isaiah 11:1-2
In Isaiah 11:1-2 it speaks of the coming Messiah, describing Him as a rod from the stem of Jesse. It says, "The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." Here, the Spirit of the Lord is directly associated with wisdom and understanding, which are crucial attributes for godly leadership.
2. Luke 2:40 and 4:1
In the New Testament in Luke it described Jesus as a child growing strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. Later, in Luke 4:1, we see Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, being led into the wilderness. These passages highlight that Jesus, even as a child, was filled with both the Spirit and wisdom, emphasizing the connection between the two.
3. Acts 6:1-10
Acts 6 provides another fascinating example of this connection. When the early church faced a dispute over the distribution of food to widows, the apostles instructed the disciples to select seven men of good reputation, saying they must be "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). This criteria was not just for spiritual leadership but for practical service, indicating the importance of wisdom in all aspects of ministry. Later, when Stephen, one of the chosen men, faced opposition, it says, “his wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke were undeniable”. (Acts 6:10).
4. The writings of Paul
Ephesians 5:17, emphasizes understanding the will of the Lord and walking wisely. The introduction to the filling of the Spirit in Ephesians is wisdom. Similarly, Colossians 3:15-16 links the peace of God and the word of Christ with wisdom. Both passages highlight that being filled with the Spirit leads to wisdom and a life characterized by spiritual songs and thanksgiving.
So, whilst the filling of the Holy Spirit is often discussed in evangelical circles, its connection to wisdom is sometimes overlooked. Joshua's example here in Numbers, along with other scriptural references, shows that the Holy Spirit imparts wisdom necessary for leadership and service.
Understanding this connection helps clarify what it means to be filled with the Spirit and highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our lives and seeing that wisdom expressed as part of the evidence we can expect to see when God moves by His Spirit.
The connection between being filled with the Spirit and being filled with the word of God is evident. When one is filled with the Spirit, it produces wisdom and spiritual understanding, just as being filled with the word does. This correlation suggests a deeper relationship between the Spirit and the word than some seem to recognise these days.
However, let me add, wisdom goes beyond mere knowledge of the Bible; it involves a dependence on God and a discernment of His will through these two things together.
Joshua here is described as a man filled with the Spirit and wisdom. God commands Moses to share some of his authority with Joshua so that he can lead the Israelites. Additionally, Joshua is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire before the Lord for him using the breastplate of judgement.
The reference to Eleazar the priest and the use of this breastplate of judgement harks back to Exodus 28. In that passage, the high priest wore a breastplate containing the Urim and Thummim, as an additional way of discerning God's will. This breastplate symbolized the priest's role in seeking God's guidance and making decisions for the people.
This appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor highlights the importance of both the Holy Spirit and wisdom in leadership. The filling of the Spirit is closely linked to having a Godly form wisdom enabling those filled with the Spirit to demonstrate discernment and understanding of God's will in the everyday decisions they will make.
Joshua's example serves as a model for all believers, emphasizing the significance of seeking God's guidance and relying on His wisdom in all endeavours.
We see here in the process of selecting Joshua as his successor, Moses relied heavily on divine guidance. All of what we see here underscores the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty rather than relying solely on human judgment.
By the visible laying on of hands upon Joshua, Moses signified his endorsement of God's chosen successor. This act of obedience ensured a smooth transition of leadership and prevented potential discord among the people.
The key takeaway from this passage is the importance of seeking God's guidance when choosing leaders or making significant decisions. While human wisdom is valuable, it should always be coupled with a reliance on the Holy Spirit's leading.
Practical Application:
Beyond spiritual matters, there are practical steps individuals can take to prepare for the future, including planning for our eventual passing away. Particularly if we have a public ministry role that perhaps should d be continued.
In summary, the narrative of Joshua's appointment underscores the significance of divine guidance and spiritual discernment in those occasion where leadership transitions are needed.
By aligning with God's will and seeking successors who are filled with the Spirit, families and communities can navigate changes with confidence and unity of purpose.
In various spheres of life, from familial to professional to religious, the task of choosing a successor can be daunting. However, I believe the narrative of Joshua's appointment provides valuable insights into this process. The central principle, as elucidated in Numbers 27, is the selection of successors who are filled with the Spirit and wisdom.
Whether it's a parent selecting a guardian for their children, a business owner choosing a successor, or a congregation voting on a new pastor, the guiding principle remains the same: seek out individuals who exemplify spiritual maturity and discernment.
While discerning the presence of the Spirit may not be straightforward, observing the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in the form of Wisdom is probably the most straightforward way to provide clarity that you are making the best choice.
So, by way of a final reflection. In conclusion, the task of choosing a successor should not be taken lightly. Whether entrusted with the care of children, the stewardship of a business, or the leadership of a congregation of people, individuals selected for these roles must possess spiritual maturity and discernment.
By the fruits of the Spirit being evident, but I would suggest by prioritizing the presence of the Spirit of wisdom in candidates, families, businesses but most importantly Christian communities can ensure continuity, effectiveness, and harmony in their transitions of leadership.