How do you hand off responsibilities? Along the same lines, how do you leave the work for the next in line? God supernaturally provided for Moses’ lifespan and leadership, but He also provided a healthy transition of the same leadership (Deut. 31:7–8). This chapter starts off with the scene of Moses passing the torch to Joshua before the whole assembly—a dramatic conclusion to a very long sermon (Deut. 31:1–3).
As Moses was preserved for the people during their need of preservation and discernment, so Joshua is equipped for the new season of conquest. Moses set the stage for Joshua’s leadership in entering the land rightly. The Lord communicates this to Joshua by reminding him and the assembly: they will enter the land victoriously just as they fled Egypt victoriously (Deut. 31:4–5). However, the victory is intended to invigorate the people to walk in obedience, living for the Lord. The mission is not simply one of accomplishing the task of ridding the land of Canaanites, but in flourishing in God’s gifted land with virtue. The courage and strength spoken of here are not militaristic, but language of preservation for the mission of life and land given before the Holy God (Deut. 31:6). Duties for Joshua in serving and ending well (like Moses) include the same measures of preserving the law, reading the law, hearing the law, and experiencing the fruit of law (Deut. 31:9–13, 28–30).
In a private ceremony wherein Joshua receives God’s anointing and the Moses’ prophetic mantel passes to Joshua, all the people witness the outward display of God’s glory for their new leader (Deut. 31:14–15). Then God provides a legacy song, Moses composes as the Lord gives him the words of meditation. The hearts, imaginations, memories, and desires of God’s people are to be captivated and cultivated in His Word as they sing these truths to steady them in the time to come (Deut. 31:16–21). Moses must teach the song to the people—even explaining to them how they will fall and therefore must carefully understand the truths of God’s revelation. Ending well means preparing for who will come next, cultivating the path for those you leave behind, and setting the process before the will of the Lord. How are you preparing for the beautiful truths of God to be sung by the next generation?
Pastor Chris
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