Training for Transition

Close reading reveals that the biblical narrative portrays Joshua as more than just a successor to Moses. Numerous passages seem consciously to portray him as an antitype of Moses (cf. Wenham 1971: 145–46; Childs IOTS, 245). The Lord assures Joshua that the divine presence will accompany him as it did Moses (Josh 1:5; 3:7; cf. 4:14). The crossing of the Jordan, led by Joshua, is described as analogous to the crossing of the Red Sea (Josh 4:23). Joshua’s encounter with the commander of the army of Yahweh (Josh 5:13–15) exhibits a striking resemblance to Moses’ encounter with the angel of Yahweh at the burning bush (Exod 3:2–5).

New Kid on the Block? Not so fast...

To say that Joshua was stepping into some big shoes was the understatement of the century. Moses was a larger than life leader. He had seen the Israelites out of Egypt, he had lead them through the dessert; he had lead them to numerous victories in battle; delivered the Law of God- he had done it all.

In Numbers 27 we are told that God spoke to Moses and commanded him to turn leadership of Israel to Joshua. This is a big moment in both the life of Joshua, and the life in the nation of Israel- because this is the first major transition that is going to take place in their history.

We all have times of major transition and change in our lives. Sometimes its a job change, buying a new home, changing schools with kids; getting married; having a new baby.... the list goes on.

We have transitions in church too. New people come, long time members pass away or transition out of the church; leaders like deacons and board chairs change, pastors and staff transition. The church is a living, breathing organism, and like people it changes as well.

What can we learn from this season in Joshua’s life? What can we take away as a people, both individuals and a congregation? Because as we will see in the coming weeks God will use Joshua in a mighty way and bless him with a long and fruitful ministry, but so much of that can be traced back to the ways that this transition was handled.

God’s transitions are always planned

Here’s one of the things I have always held close as a pastor- a kind of a leader- God is never surprised in times of transition. Some of the times we are forced to transition catch us off-guard or surprise us, we do not see them coming. But God is not surprised, not one bit.

Look at Joshua- God did not pluck him randomly from the people. There was no inny-miney-mo or casting lots; there was a plan, and that plan had been set in motion many years before.

God had been carving out and molding Joshua for years by having him serve under Moses; he had developed his faith as a spy in a strange land; he had seen God’s glory on Siani- God had been putting Joshua in a place to learn and be prepared for a long time.

The same is true for us. God does not move us on accident. If he has called you, then he has been working to prepare you.

I think about Jessica and I when we began to think about foster care....

Sometimes you are the Moses...

There are times you are Moses. We do not all live or lead forever. All the things that you see yourself leading- your family, your business, your church, your class, your football team- one day someone else will lead- either because you step away or you pass away. Jesus is the only eternal.

The sooner we realize that the world does not revolve around us the better off we will be.

Listen to what God says to Moses when he called Joshua in Numbers 27 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

God asked Moses to be part of Joshua’s calling- to invest in him, to call him out, to affirm his leadership. Godly leadership is about affirming the gifts of others and inviting them to serve alongside you.

Too often we throw up our hands and walk away without being available to invest and call the next person. We do our time and walk away, but this is ministry, there are lives at steak here. We are called to steward over the Spiritual growth and development of people- we should never just walk away. If God is calling you away, then God is calling someone else in, and we should invest in that person and the process.

Hey Parents- be a Moses to your kids. One day they will be a Moses to their own family. I am always a little perplexed at the time dads will spend teaching their sons to cast a fishing line, throw a football, drive a car, and then the seemingly little time some of those dads spend teaching them to respect women; how to communicate and handle conflict in healthy ways; how to live with integrity and discipline.

Sometimes you are the Joshua...

We all have seasons when we need to sit back and learn. We cannot always be in the lead role.

Joshua had to learn how to lead, and learn how to obey God. Too often we find ourselves in precarious situations and all we ask is “what did I do?” when what we should ask is “what can I learn?” What can I learn about God, or about following God? What can I learn about myself and areas I might need to grow in?

Joshua was being prepared. Maybe you are not being punished, you are being prepared. Maybe you are not being looked overlooked, you are being trained.

When we focus on the what over the why we can more easily see God at work in our situation.

You see, asking why really puts the focus on us. It’s about our need to understand.

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