"Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither. But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it."
Moses, the man of God, a great leader of Israel was kept out of the promised land because he failed to obey the voice of God. When commanded to speak to the rock (a portrait of Christ), Moses instead angrily struck the rock twice, and for that disobedience was not allowed to enter Canaan.
Most individuals would be angry with the Lord, would attempt to justify themselves, discontinue their service to God if God did not reconsider and capitulate. Moses did beg the Lord to reconsider, but the Lord firmly responded that He would not change His mind. So, Moses bowed in submission and was allowed to view the promised land just before his death from Mt. Pisgah. This beautiful sight has been recorded in some of our hymns:
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,
I view my home, and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!
Not only did the Lord tell Moses he would not enter Canaan, but He proceeded to inform him that Joshua would. Then the Lord commands Moses to encourage Joshua, to strengthen him so he could cause Israel to inherit the land.
What a challenge, what a charge, and what character of Moses that required. Not only was he being kept from the promise, but was commanded to give strength to the one who would lead this people. Moses is charged to help his successor, and do so with grace. What humility. What a lovely picture.
We see it again in the scriptures when David was not allowed to build the temple, but told that his son Solomon would. David's response was to provide financially for the cause instead of complaining that he would not build the Lord's house.
Too often we focus on our own desires in the kingdom of God, instead of realizing the greater importance is the glory of the Lord, and causing Israel to inherit the blessing. Whether it is Moses or Joshua, David or Solomon it really doesn't matter. The true mark of our character is when we hear the Lord say no, and humbly encourage our successors in the work of the Lord.
Sometimes we'd rather (in our flesh) be a discouragement because of our own conceit, yet what better testimony to our service to God than to have it said we encouraged the saints after us.
In a very discouraging world, this simple message of God to Moses, "encourage him," is greatly needed. It should be our chief desire to encourage, strengthen or edify the brethren. In so doing we show our true humility and love for them, and thus our love for God.
May we be encouraging to one another.
3 comments:
Beautiful post.
This so goes along with what Strem, Gary and I have been studying in Joshua. I like this. Thanks, for continuing to encourage us with your post!
Thanks for preaching for us Sunday, the sermon was great!
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