Numbers 27:15 - Meaning and Application

Here, Moses prays for someone to succeed him. When God told him that he must die, Moses had earlier asked for a delay for himself (Deuteronomy 3:24-25). But when that could not be granted, he earnestly asked that God’s work would go on, even if he would not get the honor of finishing it. Proud people do not care for those who come after them, but Moses was not like that. We should also care, in our prayers and efforts, for the next generation, so that faith may grow and God’s kingdom may keep moving forward after we are gone.

In this prayer, Moses shows deep concern for Israel: “May the Lord’s people not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus later used that picture when he saw people who lacked good spiritual leaders (Matthew 9:36). Rulers and ministers are like shepherds to a nation or people. If they are absent, or if they fail in their duty, people tend to wander, become scattered, fall into danger from enemies, go without care, and even harm one another.

Moses also shows trusting faith in God as “the God of the spirits of all flesh.” God made human spirits, and he knows them fully. So he can find the right person for his work, or he can make someone fit for it, for the good of his church. Moses does not ask God to send an angel. He asks him to appoint a man over the people, someone God would equip and approve as Israel’s ruler.

Before God gave this blessing to Israel, he moved Moses to pray for it. In the same way, before Jesus sent out his apostles, he told those around him to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest (Matthew 9:38). Prayer often comes before provision.

God answers Moses by appointing Joshua, who had already shown himself in battle against Amalek, in humble service to Moses, and in faithful support against the false report of the evil spies. Joshua was the man God chose to follow Moses. He was a man “in whom is the Spirit,” meaning he had the Spirit of grace, so he was a good man who feared God and hated greed. He also had the spirit needed for rule, so he was able to do the work and bear the responsibilities of his office. He had courage and sound judgment, and he also had the spirit of prophecy, because the Lord often spoke to him (Joshua 4:1; Joshua 6:2; Joshua 7:10).

God then tells Moses how to secure Joshua’s place as the next leader. Moses must lay his hand on Joshua (Numbers 27:18). This showed that Moses was passing the government on to him. It also pointed to God giving Joshua the blessing of the Spirit, which Moses had sought in prayer. Later, Deuteronomy says Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid hands on him (Deuteronomy 34:9). In the New Testament, the laying on of hands is used when setting apart ministers of the gospel, showing a solemn appointment to office and a prayer that God would equip them for it and own their work.

Moses must also present Joshua before Eleazar and before the people, so all would know that God had chosen him for this great trust. He must give Joshua a charge, or solemn responsibility, over Israel, who were being handed to him like sheep to a shepherd. Joshua would be accountable for them, and he must faithfully do his duty toward them. Though he would rule over them, he himself would still be under God’s rule. The highest leader must remember that there is One higher than he is. This charge was to be given publicly, so it would weigh more strongly on Joshua and also show the people the care their ruler would bear for them.

Moses must also put some of his honor on Joshua (Numbers 27:20). Joshua would not have all the honor Moses had, and in many ways he would fall short of Moses. But this likely means Moses was to bring him into partnership in the government while Moses was still alive, so Joshua could act with authority as his assistant. It is an honor to serve God and his church, and some of that honor was to be placed on Joshua so the people would become used to obeying him before Moses died.

Finally, Joshua was to stand before Eleazar the high priest, who would use the breastpiece of judgment to seek God’s guidance (Numbers 27:21). Joshua was to consult God’s answer through the priest and be ready to follow it. This was a command for Joshua, even though he was filled with the Spirit and already honored in this way. He was still not to act on his own wisdom. He had to seek counsel from God in every matter. That was also a comfort to him, because leading Israel and conquering Canaan were both difficult tasks, but God promised to guide him in hard cases toward what was best. Moses had gone directly to God’s oracle himself, but Joshua and later judges were to use the ministry of the high priest and consult the judgment of Urim, which the Jews said could be asked only by the king, the chief ruler, or someone acting for the people. In that way, Israel’s government was fully under God, both in choosing its leaders and in guiding them.

So, by the word of the priest and the judgment of Urim, Joshua and all Israel were to go out and come in. God would surely watch over their going out and coming in. Those who follow God and acknowledge him in all their ways are safe and can be at peace.

Moses carries out these instructions (Numbers 27:22-23). He gladly sets Joshua apart, even though it lessened his own standing and was almost like handing over the government. He was willing for the people to turn from him and look to the rising sun. It also could have seemed like a lasting loss to his family. It would have been less striking if he had given his honor to his own son. But Moses laid his hands on Eleazar as high priest and then on Joshua, a man from another tribe, as chief ruler, while his own children received no special position and remained among the common Levites. That kind of self-denial and submission to God’s will brought him greater honor than any promotion of his family could have given. It confirms his character as the meekest man on earth and as one who was faithful in all God’s house.

As Bishop Patrick notes, this shows that Moses had a principle above that of other lawgivers. Most rulers made sure to secure some share of their own honor and power for their families. But Moses showed that he was not acting for his own advantage, because he was not working for himself.