Joshua Commissioned by Moses

Topic: Encouragement

Passage: Deuteronomy 31:1–13

January 1, 2020

Commentary

Moses reminds the people that he is now 120 years old (v. 2). However, he still has a very sharp mind and is physically strong (Duet. 34:7). Since he did not get to go into the promised land, because of an earlier act of unbelief (Num. 20:1-13), he could have closed his life under a dark cloud of discouragement. Instead, Moses gave encouragement to his people as they faced the challenge of a new life in a new land under a new leader. He tells the people that God’s program for the nation does not depend on any one human leader but is only dependent on God’s power. He promises that God will destroy the nations and help Israel to possess the land (vv. 1-6).

Next Moses commissioned Joshua as their new leader and challenged him to be courageous (vv. 7-9). It would not be easy for Joshua to take the place of a great leader like Moses. Then he handed over the Law to the priest and elders of Israel (vv. 10-13). The priests were instructed to read the law publicly at the Feast of Tabernacles every seven years. This was very important as it was rare when an individual possessed a copy of the Scriptures. This made the public reading of the Law of great significance. If Israel did not enjoy the Word, they could not enjoy the blessings of God in their inheritance.

In each generation God changes His workers, but His work must go on. No matter who our spiritual leaders are, we must love the Lord and live according to His Word. That is the secret of blessing and success. It is also the secret of being an encouragement to others.

Application

To fulfill God’s purpose in my life I need to constantly be refreshing my mind and heart in the Word of God and sharing it with others. One of my top priorities should be spending time encouraging new believers and younger Christians. This should be directed toward showing them how to follow the Lord in all of life’s situations.

Deuteronomy 31:1– 13 (NET)

¹ Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. ² He said to them, “Today I am 120 years old. I am no longer able to get about, and the Lord has said to me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan.’ ³ As for the Lord your God, he is about to cross over before you; he will destroy these nations before you, and you will dispossess them. As for Joshua, he is about to cross before you just as the Lord has said. ⁴ The Lord will do to them just what he did to Sihon and Og, the Amorite kings, and to their land, which he destroyed. ⁵ The Lord will deliver them over to you, and you will do to them according to the whole commandment I have given you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!” ⁷ Then Moses called out to Joshua in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will accompany these people to the land that the Lord promised to give their ancestors, and you will enable them to inherit it. ⁸ The Lord is indeed going before you—he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged!”

⁹ Then Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and to all Israel’s elders. ¹⁰ He commanded them: “At the end of seven years, at the appointed time of the cancellation of debts, at the Feast of Shelters, ¹¹ when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place he chooses, you must read this law before them within their hearing. ¹² Gather the people—men, women, and children, as well as the resident foreigners in your villages—so they may hear and thus learn about and fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the words of this law. ¹³ Then their children, who have not known this law, will also hear about and learn to fear the Lord your God for as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”