Moses is Dead. Joshua is Called to Lead
One of my most incredible recent experiences was seeing this pack of wolves in Yellowstone. As I watched the wolves, I imagined the alpha wolf being put in a position to lead his pack.
Have you ever heard of impostor syndrome?
Impostor syndrome, the internalized belief that one is inadequate or unworthy of a given role despite evidence of success, is a challenge that transcends time and culture. This feeling can be paralyzing for leaders stepping into positions of immense responsibility.
The story of Joshua is a powerful reminder that feelings of inadequacy are not disqualifications but opportunities for God to demonstrate God's sufficiency.
Stay with me. In Deuteronomy 31, Moses is giving his final words before he dies. The story goes that "Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31: 7-8).
In front of all the people Joshua will lead, Moses challenges Joshua to be strong and courageous and to know the Lord goes before him. It wasn't just Joshua who needed to hear this; the people who would be putting their trust in him also needed to see Moses's confidence in Joshua.
Verse 31, the Lord says to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."
Joshua now hears the same words that Moses spoke to him, he hears from the Lord.
Still with me? Deuteronomy 34, Moses dies. He sees the land but doesn't get to go into it. In verse 9, we are told, "Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34: 9).
The book of Deuteronomy ends with all the wonderful and cool things that Moses did in his lifetime. The final words are, "For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel" (Deuteronomy 34:12).
Moses was a towering figure—"whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deut. 34:10). It's easy to imagine Joshua feeling overwhelmed. Could he ever measure up to Moses? Would the people follow him as they had Moses?
Watch this! The book of Joshua opens with these words, "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them" (Joshua 1: 1 - 6).
Moses is dead. The Lord is with Joshua as the Lord was with Moses. Joshua is to be strong and courageous because he will be the one to lead the people into the land.
Impostor syndrome may whisper lies of inadequacy, but God's voice calls us to courage, reminding us that God equips those God calls. Just as Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, we too can step boldly into our God-given roles, confident that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Here's the thing: Joshua wasn't expected to be Moses. He was called to be Joshua, and God equipped him for that role. Leadership isn't about being perfect—it's about stepping into the role you've been given and trusting that you have what it takes because of Who is with you.
Pastor Jamey
