Deuteronomy 31 - Service and Succession

Suppose you were a ship Captain and you were told that you would be given command of a state of the art sailing vessel with a seasoned crew. Your vessel would travel faster than any other and would transport some of the most influential and wealthy families. Now what if you were told you would Captain the Titanic?  Would you jump at the chance?

Effectively Joshua was placed in a similar position when he was given leadership over Israel, the people of God. The difference was that God revealed to Joshua the rebellion among the people he would face. God would be with him to guide him, but he would soon be confronted with betrayal, ingratitude and outright rebellion. I am certain that this responsibility was more challenging for Joshua than fighting off the end nations. It is one thing when you can oppose an enemy, but quite another when the opposition is internal within your own camp. 

Nonetheless Joshua was selected by God for the task. There are some lessons we can take in application from this chapter I believe. 

Succession

There is no positition we hold that is so vitally tied to us that God cannot replace us. If the work we do is God's work, he can bring in new players at anytime. Moses was at the end of his life and not only would retire, but soon would pass into eternity. (There is a supplemental lesson about continuing to apply ourselves in service for as long as we breathe - a servant of God never retires; they just transition to new responsibilities). Moses had been preparing Joshua for a while and was looking for his successor throughout his ministry. We have a responsibility to train the next generation so they can assume leadership. 

Service

Both Josha and Moses were willing to serve at the Lord's command and took their cues from the Lord. The service was not anything that they would necessarily have chosen for themselves. It was not easy or pleasant service. Both men had so committed themselves to the Lord that they layed themselves out as living sacrifices - prepared to serve wherever they were needed. 

Our positions all have good aspects and unpleasant ones. God has placed us where we are not for our happiness and enjoyment, but for the development of Christ's character in us and to point others to their savior. Our work takes on new meaning and purpose when we are committed to serve where we are placed. 

God gave us our talents and provided for  our education. We can trust that he knows best when placing us in service, both in the secular and in the holy. 

Joshua and Moses had a little bit of insight because of Gods revelation to the of the challenges that lay ahead. We don't know from day to day what challenges we might face, but God knows the end from the beginning and He knows what is best. We can trust Him and follow His leading. 

No matter what stage of life we are in, God has a plan for our service if we will choose to engage in it. Whether training the next generation, witnessing in the workplace or assuming leadership of a mutinous nation. We can do all things through Christ who is our life. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.