Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Year 4, Day 182: Deuteronomy 31

Theological Commentary: Click Here 


Discipleship Focus: Obedience

  • D4 is the moment in life where a person is unconsciously competent about what they can do as a disciple of Christ.  They are mature.  Often they disciple others and perform ministry without having to think about it.  They do it simply out of their spiritual maturity and their closeness with God.

This is the chapter where the reigns of authority are officially handed over from Moses to Joshua.  Here God looks to Moses and says, “It’s time for you to come up the mountain and die.”  Moses looks to Joshua and says, “You’re now ready to lead these rebellious people who as soon as I die will begin to rebel against you and against God.”

But what is assumed in this whole passage?  What is assumed is that Joshua is ready.  He’s been walking beside Moses for 40 years.  He’s been helping Moses.  He’s been imitating Moses.  He’s been assigned tasks by Moses and has accomplished them successfully.  He’s ready to take over the leadership of the Hebrew people and do it successfully.

That’s the neat part of the Exodus story.  Between all the plagues, the water from the rock, the manna from heaven, and the giving of the Law it is easy to forget the more mundane things going on in the background.  It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Joshua was being raised up by Moses into the next leader.  Moses was preparing Joshua; he was discipling him.  Here both God and Moses give Joshua the nod of approval.  It’s a neat moment in the story.  It’s a subtle moment that is easy to miss.


<>< 

No comments:

Post a Comment