Read Deuteronomy 31:1–8
Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom (Deuteronomy 31:1)? What did he say about his age (Deuteronomy 31:2)? And his ability? And what has YHWH said to him? Who does cross over before them (Deuteronomy 31:3)? What will He do? So that they can do what? Who else crosses before them? What is the example of what YHWH will do to the nations of the land (Deuteronomy 31:4)? What must they do with those whom YHWH gives over to them (Deuteronomy 31:5)? What does Deuteronomy 31:6 command? Why must they? What will YHWH do? What will YHWH not do? Whom does Moses call in Deuteronomy 31:7? In whose sight? What does he command him? For what task? What does Moses call the land? What will Joshua cause them to do with the land? What promise does Moses make to him in Deuteronomy 31:8—what will YHWH do with Joshua? What won’t He do? What mustn’t Joshua do?
How must a man lead the people of God? Deuteronomy 31:1–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who lead the people of God must do so as those who are trusting in the Lord, and leading others in trusting in Him.
The Lord is our hope and our help, but He uses means—especially particular men. In this passage, there is a transition from Moses’s leadership to Joshua’s leadership, before the eyes of Israel. But, in the most important way, there is no transition at all. It is still YHWH Who goes before them, YHWH Who will be with them, and YHWH Who will not leave or forsake them.
The Lord has marvelously sustained Moses to lead them. He is functioning marvelously for a 120 year old (cf. Deuteronomy 34:7), but the Lord is not preparing him to lead the military campaign in the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:2). He is preparing Joshua to do that (Deuteronomy 31:3, Deuteronomy 31:8). Just as YHWH used Moses, so now He will use Joshua. Just as He destroyed and dispossessed Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 31:4), so will He do to the nations of Canaan (Deuteronomy 31:3). This, He does in marriages through husbands, in families through dads, and in congregations through ministers and elders.
The parallels between Deuteronomy 31:6 and Deuteronomy 31:7-8 show us the nature of leading (and following) as one who follows YHWH.
YHWH Himself will cross over before Israel (Deuteronomy 31:3) and YHWH is the One Who goes before them (Deuteronomy 31:8). YHWH will go with Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6), and YHWH will be with Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:8).
YHWH will not leave nor forsake Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6), and YHWH will not leave nor forsake Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Israel is to be strong and of good courage(Deuteronomy 31:6); Joshua is to be strong and of good courage (Deuteronomy 31:7).
Israel is to obey every commandment (Deuteronomy 31:5), and Joshua must go, as he is now being commanded (Deuteronomy 31:7). Israel must not fear or be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6, in contrast to what they did at the report of the spies), and Joshua must not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The implication is plain: those by whom YHWH leads His people must do so by being the lead believers—the lead trusters in the Lord and obeyers of the Lord. They must not lead like it depends upon them, and those whom they lead must not put their trust in them. Leaders are to be “believers-in-chief” above those whom they lead.
Whom are you leading, or by whom are you being led? Whom are you/they counting on to make things turn out well? How can you tell whether you are trusting in the Lord, or whether you are trusting in the man whom the Lord is using?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we are afraid or dismayed. This shows that we forget that You go before us, and we forget that You are with us. And forgive us for when we trust in the man that You use to lead us, when we should be trusting in You Yourself. But, give us to trust in Christ, by Whom You lead us, because He is one God, with You and with the Spirit, forever. So, we ask this in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP7B “God Is My Shield” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”
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