Exodus 23 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“The L_rd said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there so that I may give you the stone tablets with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and went up to the mountain of G_d. He told the elders, ‘Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute should go to them.’” Exodus 24: 12-14

Organizations of every size have to face the issue of succession. All corporations, nations, and ministries built around a charismatic leader must eventually cope with that leader’s absence. Patriarchal success is not just building something big. It is building something that would flourish in your absence.

In a recent documentary on Cuban leader Fidel Castro, analysts speculated as to the ability of Fidel’s brother to run the country once Fidel passed away. Many evangelicals were suspicious when Franklin Graham rose to a more prominent role in his father Billy’s evangelical association. Sometimes the successor is easily recognized. Other times, G_d’s choice would be man’s least likely candidate.

Joseph was the youngest brother, yet his father put him in charge of his elders. And what of the story of David? A young worship-leading shepherd boy was anointed king, above all the military, business, and political leaders of Israel. Consider Peter. Why would Messiah give the "keys" to the disciple who would deny Him three times?

One thing is certain: G_d knows a leader when He calls one!

Aaron was Moses’ spokesman and elder brother. He was a direct participant in G_d’s Egyptian miracles. It seems he would be the perfect candidate to succeed Moses. At least, he would have accompanied Moses to receive G_d’s tablets! But it was Joshua who attended that historic event with Moses.

Later, we learn why. Neither, Aaron, Hur, or any of the elders were fit to lead Israel. That was proven with their construction & worship of the golden calf.

When G_d calls a leader, we may never know what He spared us from. When we choose a leader, we may never know G_d’s intended blessing.

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. Perhaps, Joshua's name held some secret as to G_d's plan for his future. "Joshua" means "God saves"...and it is the same name given to a young boy from Nazareth, Whom we call "Yeshua".

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, March 24, 2014