DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PASSING THE BATON

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PASSING THE BATON

"So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." (Numbers 27:22-23)

Moses was coming to the end of his time here on earth, and his commission as leader of the nation of Israel was ending. God took Moses to Mount Abarim and showed him the land that God was giving to Israel. But sadly, Moses would not be alive to enter into that land, because he had disobeyed God's command to speak to the rock for water to come out, and instead, he smote the rock with his rod two times (see Numbers chapter 20).

God appointed Joshua, the son of Nun, to be his successor (vs. 18). Remember that when Moses sent 12 men to investigate the land that God had promised to them, Joshua was one of only two spies, along with Caleb, to bring a good report and a word of faith (Numbers 14:6-8). Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The rest of the nation who were twenty years and older died in the Wilderness. Now Joshua was appointed as the leader of the nation because of his faithfulness to God and because the Spirit of God rested upon him (vs. 18). The baton was being passed.

In a relay race, the passing of the baton is so crucial. It can mean the difference between winning the race and losing. A dropped baton essentially means that the race is over for that team. Getting to the finish line is the important thing.

I am getting up in years, and realize that my days are limited. By faith, I know that God is raising up younger people to do the work of ministry. He has His hand on them, and they will lead God's people. My prayer is the prayer of Moses recorded in verse 16: that God would anoint a leader for the nation to succeed him. May God raise up a younger generation of people of faith to take our places. Let the baton be passed.

Love, Dad