Moses also did not argue with YHWH concerning his pending death. He was 120 years old and ready to join the 'fathers' who had died before him. He had the hope of the heavenly promised land, as Hebrews 11-12 speak of. He did not fight death, but would go the way of all men into death. But he had the hope of eternal life to come. I wonder if it better to not know when you will die or to know. Moses knew that YHWH's will was always true and best. He had spent the last 40 years seeking to know YHWH's will in what he did concerning this time of deliverance from Egypt and sojourning to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was a faithful servant and thought that God's way was much higher and better than anything he could decide. He desired to do God's will, but like all men, he did fail at times. Meribah was certainly not his only sin in the wilderness, but as the leader God chose to be over these people, he dishonored God whom he was to be a representative for in his anger. God takes this type of sin seriously because it lessons the view of Him before the people he was delivering. How closely we need to watch our example before those who are younger in life and/or faith in our lives. We are to be an example of Christ, imitating Him in our conduct, words, motives, etc. Can we be perfect? No, Moses was not either. But Christ was. So, in this instance, Moses represented all men-we all have sinned. And God will always be God-merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth ( Ex. 34:6) Moses knew first hand of these things God demonstrated to him and the nation that Moses often pleaded for so strongly before Him. God heard Moses and extended mercy each time because Moses was a friend of God.
The third section of this chapter is the appointing of Joshua as Moses' successor when Moses would die. God told Moses to do this and to appoint Joshua. ...cont.
Pondering your posting today. I wonder how many are purposely handing the baton so to speak to future leaders in the next generation today? First off there aren't that many who are great examples today; a few but of course many who have large ministries have slid off the doctrinal rails a while ago. So much is done today as well with those who are trained a certain way or sometimes those in families that have attended church for a long time as members which can be perfectly fine. Seeking those God has called for the job first of all means weeding out those who AREN'T qualified for the job despite how popular they may be in social circles. Also God in scripture chooses who He will; oftentimes not the biggest; badest and boldest as the world likes to choose. To find someone with a real heart for the Lord I can't help but wonder how rare that is today.
Of course some want to have an attitude that they are larger than life; or just won't think about the inevitable; in terms of their inheritance much as Paul chose Timothy. It is certainly rare for established Pastors to be humble enough to admit when the Lord has chastised them or in fact have the same transparency and accountability as they ask from other members of a church. This in fact makes them like the Pope or some other person with an exalted title or position who doesn't have anyone they can confess to above them (except God of course). It certainly helps future leaders to learn of mistakes made much as David taught Solomon. He eventually; of course wrote Ecclesiastes but had to learn many hard lessons after failing to be obedient to God as well as the advice from his parents.
Prayer of course is important; perhaps some of this occurs with Pastors and Deacons or elders under them as for future missions although I haven't seen much of it personally. Such things seem hidden from the rest of the laypersons in congregations.
Godly, God chosen leaders are a real need in the body of Christ today. As you say, so many who are popular today are not truly as "anointed" as most people perceive. There is so much false doctrine being fed to so many believers and so much extravagance in lifestyle of so many leaders. They have become weakened by their acquisition of wealth and prestige which compromises the very purpose for which they are appointed to be a leader.
We must continue to pray for God to raise up leaders along the lines of Moses and Joshua.
CONTINUED.
Moses also did not argue with YHWH concerning his pending death. He was 120 years old and ready to join the 'fathers' who had died before him. He had the hope of the heavenly promised land, as Hebrews 11-12 speak of. He did not fight death, but would go the way of all men into death. But he had the hope of eternal life to come. I wonder if it better to not know when you will die or to know. Moses knew that YHWH's will was always true and best. He had spent the last 40 years seeking to know YHWH's will in what he did concerning this time of deliverance from Egypt and sojourning to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was a faithful servant and thought that God's way was much higher and better than anything he could decide. He desired to do God's will, but like all men, he did fail at times. Meribah was certainly not his only sin in the wilderness, but as the leader God chose to be over these people, he dishonored God whom he was to be a representative for in his anger. God takes this type of sin seriously because it lessons the view of Him before the people he was delivering. How closely we need to watch our example before those who are younger in life and/or faith in our lives. We are to be an example of Christ, imitating Him in our conduct, words, motives, etc. Can we be perfect? No, Moses was not either. But Christ was. So, in this instance, Moses represented all men-we all have sinned. And God will always be God-merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth ( Ex. 34:6) Moses knew first hand of these things God demonstrated to him and the nation that Moses often pleaded for so strongly before Him. God heard Moses and extended mercy each time because Moses was a friend of God.
The third section of this chapter is the appointing of Joshua as Moses' successor when Moses would die. God told Moses to do this and to appoint Joshua. ...cont.
Of course some want to have an attitude that they are larger than life; or just won't think about the inevitable; in terms of their inheritance much as Paul chose Timothy. It is certainly rare for established Pastors to be humble enough to admit when the Lord has chastised them or in fact have the same transparency and accountability as they ask from other members of a church. This in fact makes them like the Pope or some other person with an exalted title or position who doesn't have anyone they can confess to above them (except God of course). It certainly helps future leaders to learn of mistakes made much as David taught Solomon. He eventually; of course wrote Ecclesiastes but had to learn many hard lessons after failing to be obedient to God as well as the advice from his parents.
Prayer of course is important; perhaps some of this occurs with Pastors and Deacons or elders under them as for future missions although I haven't seen much of it personally. Such things seem hidden from the rest of the laypersons in congregations.
Anyway as always I appreciate your commentary.
Agape; Rich P
Godly, God chosen leaders are a real need in the body of Christ today. As you say, so many who are popular today are not truly as "anointed" as most people perceive. There is so much false doctrine being fed to so many believers and so much extravagance in lifestyle of so many leaders. They have become weakened by their acquisition of wealth and prestige which compromises the very purpose for which they are appointed to be a leader.
We must continue to pray for God to raise up leaders along the lines of Moses and Joshua.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?