The Next Leader

The Next Leader

Q: Who succeeded Moses as leader after his death?

• a. David
• b. Aaron
• c. Joshua

Moses was standing on the brink of the Promised Land, but he wasn’t allowed to cross the Jordan River and enter it. He was 120 years old, and he knew he was about to die. Moses told Joshua, his successor, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Moses spoke those words, but it was really God who commissioned Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:23 says, “Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.’”

Both Moses and God told Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord was with him. In his own strength, he might have failed at the difficult task of getting millions of Israelites settled in their new home. But with God, he could do it.

For the second time, the Israelites were standing at the doorway of their new home. For the second time they had to decide whether to trust God and take the land, or refuse like they had the first time (see the March 12 devotion). Of all the adults who had made the journey from Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land.

This time the people chose to trust God, but there were still battles ahead.

For You

Joshua had a big job ahead, but God had called him to it and would be with him every step of the way. When God gives you a job to do, he’ll be with you, giving you the strength and wisdom to complete it.

Answer: c

[Moses said to Joshua,] “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land.”   Deuteronomy 31:7

(The Whole Story: Deuteronomy 31:1-8, 23)