A change of leadership is often difficult for some people to handle. Whether it is a new leader of your country, a new boss, a new pastor, or new leader of a large family with the passing of the former patriarch, if the former leader had been well-loved, and had been in his position for a long time, it will be difficult for the new leader to step into his role, and people may not be too welcoming. This is the scenario we find in our Scripture passage today from the Book of Deuteronomy. Let’s see what God’s Word can teach us.
As our passage opens, the people of Israel are gathered on the eastern side of the Jordan River, ready to cross and begin the conquest of the land that the Lord God was to give them in keeping of His promise to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses had been their leader since the days just prior to their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea forty years prior. Moses was the one to receive the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. His prayers to God had brought the manna and water in the wilderness. Moses was the one who had led them the past forty years through the wilderness, and was the only leader that many of the people had ever known. Though many times the people had rebelled against the leadership he held through God’s appointment, they were still distraught and fearful knowing he was soon to pass, and someone else would be the new leader.
Moses’s ministry was now ending. God had appointed that Joshua was to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses was 120 years old. He had spent his first 40 years in the royal courts of Egypt. The second 40 years, until he was 80 years old, was spent as a shepherd in the land of Midian. Then these last 40 years were spent leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Now they were preparing to enter the Promised Land, and many were afraid. How would they survive without his leadership? They were fearful of the Canaanites and an unknown future. How could they go forward without their leader, Moses? What would Joshua be like? Would he be anywhere near as good a leader as Moses was? Could they trust him?
Though Joshua was to be the new human leader over Israel, the people needed to remember that Yahweh was the real leader. He holds the real power, not any political leader. The Lord God promised the people that He would cross over the Jordan ahead of them, and enable them to conquer and take possession of the Promised Land (vs. 3). What God did to Sihon the king of the Amorites, and to Og the king of Bashan, was a preview of what He would do all across the land that the people were to enter (vs. 4). All they needed to do was to follow Him closely, and obey all He said.
God promised the people that He would not forsake them (vs. 6-8). That is a promise that also holds for all Christians, those who have a relationship with Jesus. Knowing that God is with us and for us should give us strength and courage. Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior never have to face a trial or problem by themselves. The Lord God goes with us. Leaders and loved ones may come and go, but Jesus is always right there with us (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20).
It can be discouraging, and even fearful, to know the leader that you have had for many decades is going to go. Perhaps for some this might be a national leader, a boss, a family patriarch, or a pastor. They have been with you for so long, and the thought of someone else taking the helm may be upsetting or fearful. God tells us to not be afraid. He is our real leader. He is with us, and will never leave us.
No matter what obstacle is before us, God has made a path through it for us, as long as we continue to obey Him and remain close to His side. We do not need to fear, as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus.
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