#273 Deuteronomy 34:9 Moses Commissions Joshua and the people obey him
Stepping Up: The Hands-On Transfer of Wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9)
Setting the Scene:
Imagine the scene. Moses, the iconic leader who freed the Israelites from Egypt, is gone. The people stand on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a daunting task after years of wandering in the wilderness. Who will guide them now? Enter Joshua, son of Nun. But Deuteronomy 34:9 doesn't simply introduce Joshua as the successor. It paints a beautiful picture of empowerment: "Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid hands on him." (Deuteronomy 34:9)
The Weighty Hands of Leadership:
This "laying on of hands" wasn't a casual gesture. In ancient Israel, it signified a transfer of authority, blessing, or spiritual gift. Think of Jacob blessing his sons in Genesis 48:14-20, placing his hands on them and prophesying their futures. Here, Moses, entrusted by God, equips Joshua with the "spirit of wisdom" he needs to lead.
The Spirit of Wisdom: A Divine Gift
The "spirit of wisdom" in this passage is the Hebrew word "Ruah," the same word used to describe God as a spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis 1:2. This wasn't the first time Moses and the people of Israel heard this language about the Spirit of God (Ruah) being given to a person or people. Back in Exodus 31:1-6, God explained to Moses that he had given Bezalel the Spirit of God and given him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. God also gave others special skills to be able to make the wonderful things God directed them to make, such as the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, and many more things.
Under the Old Covenant, the spirit of God was given by God to certain people to accomplish certain tasks or fulfill certain roles and responsibilities he had assigned to them. Often, these tasks were beyond their own abilities, training, or experience. By God giving them His spirit and empowering them with wisdom, special skills, or expertise, two things would be obvious to them and others:
Divine Recognition: Those who received the Spirit would recognize that their abilities were a gift from God.
Divine Attribution: Others who knew them would recognize God's gifting and spirit working in and through them, giving God credit.
The New Covenant: A Radical Shift
In the Old Covenant times, we would occasionally see God giving His spirit to special people here or there for a certain time or to help them with a specific role or skill. While it was certainly amazing, it was also relatively rare. Fast Forward to Jesus, and you begin to understand just how shocking His offer truly was. Jesus promised that the Spirit of God would come after Him, be greater than Him, and guide them (John 14:16-17). He also declared that the Spirit of God would be available to all who believed in Jesus and put their trust in Him as the way to the Father (John 7:37-39).
In the New Covenant with God, all people can opt in by faith in Jesus and being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They will then receive forgiveness of their sins and the free gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Something once seemingly rare and reserved only for a few special people God would use in very profound ways is now available to all who put their faith and trust in His son Jesus.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you approach big decisions in your life?
- Do you seek guidance or wisdom from others, or rely solely on your own judgment?
- In what ways can you cultivate a spirit of wisdom in your own life?
Discussion Starter for Journey Groups:
Imagine you're about to embark on a major life change (new job, move, etc.). Who would you want to "lay hands on you," figuratively speaking, and offer wisdom and guidance? Why?
Call to Action:
Feeling a little lost in the wilderness of life choices? Don't wander alone! Our journey groups offer a supportive community where you can share experiences, gain wisdom from others, and so much more! Email us at yourjesusjourney@gmail.com to find a group near you or learn more about starting your own. We promise it'll be a journey filled with more blessings than plagues!
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