Numbers 27:19
Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
Have him stand before Eleazar the priest

Eleazar, Aaron’s son and successor as high priest, represented the priestly authority established by God. Joshua’s appointment was to be recognized before the high priest, showing that Israel’s new military and national leader would serve under God’s law and in harmony with the priesthood.

Deu 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death…
Jos 17:4 They approached Eleazar the priest and said…
Jos 21:1 Now the family heads of the Levites approached…

and the whole congregation,

Israel was gathered to witness Moses’ public designation of Joshua. Their presence established broad recognition of Joshua’s authority before the nation entered Canaan and helped preserve unity during the transfer of leadership.

Deu 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him…
Lev 8:3 and assemble the whole congregation…
1Sa 10:24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one…

and commission him in their sight.

Moses was to formally entrust Joshua with leadership before all Israel. The public act confirmed that Joshua had been chosen by God and appointed by Moses to lead the people after Moses’ death.

Deu 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun…
Deu 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom…
1Ki 1:39-40 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is instructed by God to appoint a successor.

2. Joshua
The son of Nun, chosen by God to succeed Moses as the leader of Israel. He is known for his faithfulness and courage.

3. Eleazar the Priest
The son of Aaron, serving as the high priest. He plays a crucial role in the religious and ceremonial life of Israel.

4. The Whole Congregation
Refers to the assembly of the Israelites, who are witnesses to the commissioning of Joshua.

5. Commissioning Event
A significant moment where Joshua is publicly appointed and empowered to lead the Israelites, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Public Commissioning
Public commissioning serves as a formal recognition of God's chosen leader and provides accountability and support from the community.

Leadership Transition
God’s plan includes orderly transitions of leadership, ensuring continuity and stability for His people.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
Spiritual leaders, like Eleazar, play a vital role in guiding and affirming new leaders, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support.

Community Witness
The involvement of the whole congregation highlights the communal aspect of leadership and the shared responsibility in supporting and praying for leaders.

Obedience to God’s Command
Moses' obedience in commissioning Joshua demonstrates the importance of following God's instructions, even in leadership transitions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the public commissioning of Joshua by Moses and Eleazar reflect the importance of community in leadership transitions?

2. In what ways can we apply the principles of leadership transition seen in Numbers 27:19 to modern church or organizational settings?

3. How does the role of Eleazar the priest in this passage inform our understanding of spiritual mentorship and support?

4. What are some practical ways we can support and pray for our leaders, as the congregation did for Joshua?

5. How do the themes of obedience and faithfulness in this passage connect with other biblical examples of leadership, such as Timothy or the apostles in Acts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
This passage further describes the commissioning of Joshua, emphasizing God's promise to be with him.

Joshua 1:1-9
Details God's charge to Joshua after Moses' death, reinforcing the themes of strength, courage, and obedience to God's law.

1 Timothy 4:14
Paul advises Timothy not to neglect his gift, which was given through prophecy and the laying on of hands, paralleling the public commissioning of Joshua.

Acts 6:6
The apostles lay hands on the seven chosen to serve, illustrating the practice of commissioning leaders in the early church.
Preparing for the EndD. Young Numbers 27:12-23
A Model Ordination ServiceW. Jones.Numbers 27:16-23
The God of the Spirits of All FleshS. Thodey.Numbers 27:16-23
The Spiritual Leaders of MenHomilistNumbers 27:16-23
The Appointment of Joshua to be Moses' SuccessorW. Binnie Numbers 27:18-20
The Qualifications for the Public Service of GodE.S. Prout Numbers 27:18-21
The Solicitude Relieved by the Appointment of JoshuaD. Young Numbers 27:18-23
People
Aaron, Eleazar, Hepher, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Korah, Machir, Mahlah, Manasseh, Milcah, Moses, Noah, Nun, Tirzah, Zelophehad
Places
Abarim, Jericho, Kadesh-barnea, Meribah, Zin
Topics
Assembly, Cause, Caused, Charge, Charged, Commandment, Commission, Company, Congregation, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Entire, Hast, Meeting, Orders, Presence, Priest, Sight, Stand
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 27:18-21

     8648   enquiring of God

Numbers 27:18-23

     7372   hands, laying on

Library
The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought.
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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