Exodus 24

“The Lord 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 God.  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 (HCSB)

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. The challenge of patriarchal success is not just building something big.  It is creating something that would flourish in your absence.

In a documentary on Cuban leader Fidel Castro, analysts speculated about the ability of Fidel’s brother to run the country once Fidel passed away. Many evangelicals were suspicious when Franklin Graham became more prominent in his father Billy’s evangelical association. Sometimes, the successor is easily recognized. Other times, God’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 of the military, business, and political leaders of Israel. Consider Peter. Why would Messiah give the “keys to His Church” to the disciple who would deny Him three times?

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

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

Later, we learn why. Neither Aaron, Hur, nor any elders were fit to lead Israel. That was proven by their construction and worship of the golden calf.

When God calls a leader, we may never know what He spared us from. When we choose a leader (apart from God’s leading), we may never know God’s intended blessing.

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. Perhaps Joshua’s name held some secret about God’s plan for his future. “Joshua” means “God saves,” and it is the root of the name “Yeshua,” given to a young boy from Nazareth, whom we call “Jesus.”