How did Joshua succeed Moses in leading the Israelites?

The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua is one of the most significant moments in the history of the Israelites. Understanding how Joshua succeeded Moses involves examining both the divine appointment and the practical preparations that took place. This transition is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua, and it highlights themes of faith, obedience, and divine guidance.

Moses, the great prophet and leader, had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness for forty years. However, due to an act of disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12), God decreed that Moses would not enter the Promised Land. Instead, the mantle of leadership was to be passed to Joshua, Moses' assistant and a man of faith and courage.

The first indication of Joshua’s future role comes in Exodus 17:9-14, where Joshua leads the Israelites in battle against the Amalekites. His military prowess and leadership are evident, and Moses instructs him to write down the account of the victory as a memorial. This early involvement in leadership foreshadows his eventual succession.

In Numbers 27:18-23, God explicitly commands Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor. The passage reads:

“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command, he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.’ Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.”

This passage is pivotal because it shows a formal and public transfer of authority. Moses lays his hands on Joshua, symbolizing the passing of leadership and the empowerment of Joshua by the Spirit of God. The involvement of Eleazar the priest signifies the religious and spiritual endorsement of Joshua’s leadership.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 provides further insight into this transition. Moses speaks directly to Joshua in the presence of all Israel:

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’”

Moses’ exhortation to Joshua to be strong and courageous is significant. It underscores the challenges ahead and the need for unwavering faith in God’s promises. These words of encouragement are echoed by God Himself in Joshua 1:6-9, where God commissions Joshua after Moses’ death:

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The repeated command to be strong and courageous highlights the importance of reliance on God’s presence and guidance. Joshua’s success is contingent upon his obedience to the Law and his trust in God’s promises.

The practical aspects of Joshua’s leadership are also noteworthy. Joshua was not only a spiritual leader but also a skilled military commander. His strategic acumen is evident in the conquest of Canaan, beginning with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3) and the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6). These events demonstrate that Joshua’s leadership was marked by both divine intervention and human effort.

Moreover, Joshua’s role as a leader involved not just conquest but also the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel. This task required wisdom, fairness, and a deep understanding of the tribal dynamics and the promises made to the patriarchs. In Joshua 13-21, the detailed allotment of the land is recorded, showing Joshua’s meticulous attention to fulfilling God’s commands.

Joshua’s leadership also included spiritual renewal and covenant reaffirmation. In Joshua 24, he gathers all the tribes at Shechem and recounts God’s faithfulness from the time of Abraham to the present. He then challenges the people to renew their covenant with God:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)

This moment of covenant renewal underscores Joshua’s role as a spiritual leader who calls the people to faithfulness and obedience to God.

In summary, Joshua succeeded Moses through a combination of divine appointment, public commissioning, and practical preparation. His leadership was characterized by faith, obedience, and reliance on God’s guidance. Joshua’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of strong, courageous, and faithful leadership in fulfilling God’s purposes.