Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Numbers 27:18-23
The Appointment Of A New Shepherd (Numbers 27:18).
And now we come to the one who can enter the land alive, the one chosen by Yahweh to replace Moses. Joshua had been Moses ‘servant. He had been with Moses in Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13; Exodus 32:17). He had watched over the old tent of meeting where he had probably done scribal work for Moses (Exodus 33:11). He had led Israel to victory in its first battle (Exodus 17:9). He had believed and stood firm when ten of the scouts had discouraged the people (Numbers 14:6). So he was well trained for his new position, for Yahweh had overseen his training. And he was a man in whom was the Spirit.
Analysis.
a Moses to take Joshua and lay his hands on him (Numbers 27:18).
b Moses to set him before Eleazar and the congregation and give him his charge (Numbers 27:19).
c Moses' honour to be put on him so that all the people obey him (Numbers 27:20).
c Enquiry of Yahweh by Eleazar with Urim and Thummim results in all who go out and come in doing so at his word (Numbers 27:21).
b Joshua set by Moses before Eleazar and the congregation (Numbers 27:22).
a Moses lays his hands on him and gives him his charge (Numbers 27:23).
‘And Yahweh said to Moses, “Take you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him,” '
In response to Moses' plea Yahweh pointed to his man. He was to take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man full of the Spirit of God (compare Num 12:25). God would work through him as He had worked through Moses. And Moses was to lay his hand on him. The laying on of hands was the sign that a man had been set apart for God's service. It was also a way of identifying with the person concerned. By this all would know that he was Moses' chosen replacement.
“ And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.”
Then the whole congregation of Israel were to be gathered together, and there he would be set before ‘the Priest', Eleazar, and given his charge to fulfil his responsibility faithfully.
“ And you shall put of your honour on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.”
Thus would the honour in which Moses was held be placed on Joshua. And he would be recognised as honoured by God. And thus the people would (hopefully) obey him as they had obeyed Moses.
“ And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall enquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh, at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
To Joshua was given the right to enquire of Urim and Thummim, coming to the High Priest in whose breastpouch they were, and arranging for their use. He was thus to replace Moses as God's mouthpiece to the people. And whatever he decreed they would do. At his word they would come in, and at his word they would go out. They would go in and out together.
But we note here that even Joshua would not enter the Dwellingplace and hear the voice of Yahweh speaking from the Mercy Seat between the cherubim (Numbers 7:89). That was unique to Moses alone. Joshua would have to use the Urim and Thummim.
‘And Moses did as Yahweh commanded him, and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation,'
And Moses did exactly as Yahweh told him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar ‘the Priest', and before all the congregation.
Note again that Moses did exactly what Yahweh commanded him. This refrain occurs again and again. It demonstrates why what happened at the rock at Meribah was such an appalling failure. It had been an aberration. There he had not done what Yahweh commanded him.
‘And he laid his hands on him, and gave him a charge, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.'
And Moses laid his hands on him and charged him with his responsibility to lead the people as Yahweh's shepherd, just as Yahweh had said to him. Even before Moses was dead God was ready to move forward.