May the mumbling commence!
When we are about to move on, it is important to pass the torch of faith. It is essential that we ask the Lord whom to pass the torch of leadership… the torch of faith to. Though we may want that torch passed to our children or close relatives that may not be the way of the Lord. Read from Numbers chapter twenty-seven:
One day the Lord said to Moses, "Climb to the top of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. After you have seen it, you will die as Aaron your brother did, for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters." (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Then Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, the God of the spirits of all living things, please appoint a new leader for the community. Give them someone who will lead them into battle, so the people of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
The Lord replied, "Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him with the responsibility of leading the people. Transfer your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. When direction from the Lord is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will determine the Lord's will by means of sacred lots. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will discover what they should do."
So Moses did as the Lord commanded and presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to his responsibilities, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses. (Verses 12-23)
The human element of leadership did not pass to a son of Moses. Indeed, the torch was not even passed to a close relative, Joshua son of Nun was of a different tribe – the tribe of Ephraim.
The Lord uses different methods to define a close kinship. He looks at the heart of humanity. God looks at our obedience. Read from Luke chapter eight:
Once when Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, they couldn't get to him because of the crowds. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you."
Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear the message of God and obey it." (Verses 19-21)
May we hear the Word of God and obey it. That will show our heart is set on the Lord. That will show our obedience. That will show our readiness for serving the Lord in the role of leadership amongst the Body of Christ. Such obedience will be a sure sign of whom the torch of faith should be passed to.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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