June 14, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

To the Future with Christ

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Good Shepherd, You are the One who has given all to open the way, who leads me, who teaches me and who is forever faithful.

Read Deuteronomy 31:1-13

[1] Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: [2] “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ [3] The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. [4] And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. [5] The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. [6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” [7] Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. [8] The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” [9] So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. [10] Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, [11] when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. [12] Assemble the people-men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns-so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. [13] Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“God gives us mentors, as Moses was to Joshua, as Paul was to Timothy, and he calls us to be this to others, but all that comes that is of worth ultimately comes from Christ” (William Arthur Ward).

It was a historic moment for Israel. Leadership was being passed on from Moses to Joshua. Moses had served God and led Israel for 40 difficult years. He knew his age (120 years), his limitations (“I am no longer able to lead you”) and God’s prohibition of him entering the Promised Land (2). We can understand the need to pass on leadership, but why did God treat his friend Moses with what appears to be a harsh no-entry ban? It is because Moses had disobeyed God, striking the rock to which he should only have spoken (Num. 20:7-12). Much later, Paul associated that rock with Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). Moses had acted angrily and rashly, and God has high standards for his servants. Nevertheless, centuries later, Moses stood in the Promised Land with the transfigured Christ (Matt. 17:1-3). God does not abandon his friends.

 

The new leader, Joshua, was chosen by God and trained by Moses. Starting as Moses’ servant, he became his student and successor. Moses told him what he must be and what he must do (7). God’s plan (to bring Israel to the Promised Land), promise (“The Lord himself goes before you”) and presence (the Lord “will be with you”) would ensure Joshua’s success (7,8).

 

However, the text mentions another leader–the best one! The Lord himself would cross the Jordan ahead of Joshua (3), teaching him that, as leader, he must himself be led by God. God will be the advance guard (3), victor (4) and constant companion (6,8). The New Testament portrays Jesus as our leader, the Shepherd who lays down his life for us and heads the triumphant procession (John 10:11; 2 Cor. 2:14). To be a leader, one must first be a follower of Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1).

Apply

Who have you allowed to lead you? How can you ensure that you follow Christ rather than the crowd? What does God promise you when he leads you?

Closing prayer

Faithful God, You go before me, You fill me with Your good Spirit, You make me courageous and strong, so I will follow You wherever You lead.

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