Prayer: Father, I come today as a student ready to listen and learn. Amen.
Reading: Numbers 27 key: vs. 18-20
18 Adonai said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Ruach, and lay your hand on him. 19 You will have him stand before Eleazar the kohen and the entire assembly and commission him before their eyes. 20 Give to him some of your authority so that the whole community of Bnei-Yisrael will obey him.
Attention: Have you ever attended a commissioning service? I have, in a former church I attended, years ago. The church invited other denominational heads and pastors to serve as a closed-door review panel, questioning the candidate for commissioning about his theological and eschatological views. After a period of interviewing, the panel of pastors brought a recommendation to the senior pastor and local congregation. Upon their recommendation the candidate was ceremonial endorsed as a new pastor. The review panel became a commissioning team, praying over the candidate and laying hands on him. Much in the same manner Eleazar laid hands on Joshua.
What was the difference between both ceremonies? Adonai brought the command to Moses, appointing Joshua as the man whom He selected to now lead Bnei-Yisrael. Joshua was Adonai selected, not appointed by man’s selecting.
When Adonai spoke to Moses, He characterized Joshua as “a man in whom is the Ruach (Holy Spirit).” The distinction in the giving of the Holy Spirit between Old and New Testament is a few were anointed or endowed in the Old Testament, while in the New Testament era, individual and corporate anointing of the Holy Spirit is manifest.
The system of Adonai selecting the man leaves no doubt as to His wishes. Man is prone to look at more factors than just the heart. What would be the difference if we still sought God’s directive exclusively? We might have to call to God and listen for an answer. We might have to admit that we tried to make the determination of anointing on our own. Perhaps we should consider a return to former ways. Listen to Adonai and then do as He commanded (vs. 32).
Action: I choose to listen to Adonai and His directions, decrees, and commands.
Yield: I choose to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.
Engage: I choose to engage with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Relationship: I choose relationship with the Holy Spirit of Adonai.
Prayer: Father, life is tough enough in trying to discern Your direction. It is tougher when I choose to make life decisions on my own. Help me to make the pivot from self-direction to Holy Spirit led direction. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 John 2:27
27 As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things—and it is true and not a lie—and just as it has taught you, abide in Him.
Music Video: Michael Ketterer—Spirit Lead Me https://youtu.be/YLlUDMJs39M
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”