Nu 27: Who's next?

       Numbers 27 opens with the Zelophehad’s daughters. Their compelling status and request move the LORD to clarify directions regarding inheritance when there is no male heir.

       Next, the LORD instructs Moses to ascend Mount Abarim {= “regions beyond”}. There he will see {har ra'ah} the land which the LORD has given {Ntn nathan} to the children of Israel. After he has seen, looked at, perceived, considered it, Moses will be gathered unto his people as Aaron was.

       It is probably no surprise to Moses why the LORD is doing this.

       12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

       Moses responds akin to that wonderful way he did in Exodus 33. In that amazing (to me) account, Moses dares to tell the LORD that if He doesn’t go with Moses, Moses doesn’t want to go.

       [If you want to have your socks blessed off and if you want to grasp a deeper perspective of the LORD, spend some time in Exodus 33 and 34. I’ve spent days, perhaps weeks, meditating on this passage.]

       Back to Mount Abarim. Like Solomon years later, Moses is concerned for the well being of his people, of God’s people.

       15 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,

 16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

       Even as Moses goes to face his own judgment, he thinks about the children of Israel. The LORD responds with His choice.

       This man was known for his confidence in God’s ability. In the same chapter of Exodus, Exodus 33, we see that this man didn’t leave the tabernacle. The LORD notes his spiritual state, too. Who is he?

       Joshua.

       18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

         22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.