Commissioning

Scripture:

Numbers 27:18-20  "So the Lord said to Moses, 'Take Joshua the son of Nun, man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight.  You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him'"

Observation:

Moses realized he was about to be taken from leading the people of Israel.  He had led them through the wilderness for forty years and God let him know he was going to see the promised land, then He would take him.  Moses told the Lord that someone needed to lead Israel when he was gone and the Lord told him to commission Joshua in front of everyone and to give him some authority.  The people needed to see that Moses and the Lord were pleased with Joshua's leadership and that they supported him.

Application:

It is important that we commission and send forth people that are full of the Spirit and who have been recognized by the congregation and leadership.  Joshua was filled with the Spirit, but the people also needed to see that Moses also believed in Joshua's leadership.  Joshua had been Moses' assistant for a long time and was one of the two spies who brought back a faith-filled report of the land.  The people had been against Joshua in the past, so they needed to see that Moses supported him.  We must release people into ministry with our blessing for them to be effective.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to raise up spiritual sons and daughters who can be recognized by the congregation and sent out to work for You.  Help me to properly recognize them.  Let me be one who raises up and releases mighty people for Your kingdom.

Your Son,
Jeff