“When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all the people of Israel, he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’ But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised. “The Lord will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites. The Lord will hand over to you the people who live there, and you must deal with them as I have commanded you. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel. Then Moses gave them this command: “At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the Lord your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.””
Deuteronomy 31:1-13 NLT
Joshua may have been a freshly minted leader, but he was, by no means new. He was the expected leader of the people. He was already the skilled general of the Lords people in practice and one of the oldest living members of the Exodus. If the people had trust to give, they would’ve given it to Joshua easily. Yet, people do not give easy trust. Seeing a transfer of power is an important facet of good leadership. It ensures that a line of psychological attachment isn’t broken. It ensures a continuity in succession. Too many leaders are so reticent to lose authority, that they view this proper transfer as a necessary evil. But it is, in fact, a necessary good. Humans are meant to retain authority. It is a desire we have, but it is not in line with our creatureness. It is ontologically evil. We ought to take note that Moses not only transfers authority but also charges Joshua and the people with the same charge as he had. Though the execution of the authority will necessarily change, the purpose and outworking will not. The character of the nation must be intact in the transfer of power. In this is also an important insight. Discouragement and fear during these times is intuitive, but they are not inevitable. Reliance on God, and not a single leader, will help stave that from the transition.
Joshua’s Leadership: Joshua, a skilled general and experienced leader, was the expected successor to Moses.
Importance of Leadership Transition: A smooth transfer of power is crucial for maintaining trust, continuity, and preventing a break in psychological attachment to the group.
Moses’s Legacy: Moses transferred authority to Joshua, emphasizing the continuity of purpose and the importance of relying on God, not just a single leader.
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