transferring leadership - a biblical model

• Numbers 27:15 (HCSB)
• Joshua 4:14 (HCSB)

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The transference of leadership from Moses to Joshua has to be one of the best of its kind ever. In Joshua 4, God puts his public stamp of approval on Joshua when the Israelites cross the Jordan on dry ground.

This is the divine approval that people need to see. But first they had to see the approval of the previous leader, Moses.

Moses was concerned about the next leader. He talked to God and asked the Lord for someone who would be a shepherd. God then gave him instructions as to how to transfer authority to Joshua.

He was to be commissioned by Moses in front of everyone. Moses was also instructed to confer sone of his authority to Joshua then and there. God approved of him there.

So Moses actually had to give away some of his authority while he was still in charge.

Rewind a few years and you see Joshua at the entrance of the tent of meeting while Moses pleads and argues with God. Moses kept Joshua close and gave him the backstage pass, allowing him to see not just the good, but also the struggle.

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