Numbers 27:22
Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation,
Moses did as the LORD had commanded him.

Moses carried out God’s instruction faithfully as he prepared Israel for life in the promised land without him. His obedience continued the pattern seen in Noah, who did all that God commanded in building the ark, and in Abraham, who obeyed God’s command concerning Isaac. Israel’s future leadership was established by God’s word rather than by human preference.

Lev 8:4 So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him,…
Exo 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.
Exo 39:43 And Moses inspected all the work and saw…

He took Joshua,

Joshua son of Nun had served Moses for many years and had shown steadfast faith when Israel refused to enter Canaan after the report of the spies. As one of the faithful spies, Joshua trusted the Lord’s promise and urged the people to believe that God would give them the land. His name, meaning “The LORD is salvation,” points forward to Jesus, whose Hebrew name is Yeshua.

Deu 31:7 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him…
Deu 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death…
Deu 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun…

had him stand before Eleazar the priest

Eleazar, Aaron’s son and successor in the high-priestly office, represented Israel before the Lord. Joshua’s public presentation before Eleazar affirmed that Israel’s new leader would seek God’s direction through the priestly ministry, especially through the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. The priesthood also anticipates Christ, the true High Priest who brings His people into the fullness of God’s promised rest.

Num 3:6 Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron…
Exo 29:4 Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance…
Lev 8:6 Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons.…

and the whole congregation,

Israel witnessed the transfer of leadership openly, so that Joshua’s authority would be recognized by every tribe. The public commissioning preserved unity at a critical moment, as the generation that left Egypt had passed away and a new generation stood ready to enter Canaan.

Lev 8:3 and assemble the whole congregation…
Num 8:9 Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting…
Deu 31:12 Assemble the people—men, women, children…

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 obediently following God's command to appoint Joshua as his successor.

2. Joshua
A faithful servant of God and Moses, chosen to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. His name in Hebrew, "Yehoshua," means "The LORD is salvation."

3. Eleazar the Priest
The son of Aaron, serving as the high priest. He plays a crucial role in the religious and communal life of Israel, representing the spiritual authority in this transition of leadership.

4. The Whole Congregation
The assembly of the Israelites, witnessing the public commissioning of Joshua, which underscores the communal aspect of leadership and accountability.

5. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who directs the leadership transition, ensuring His people are guided according to His will.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Command
Moses' actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's instructions, even in leadership transitions. This teaches us to trust God's plan and timing.

Public Affirmation of Leadership
The public nature of Joshua's commissioning highlights the importance of community recognition and support in leadership roles. It encourages transparency and accountability.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
Eleazar's involvement signifies the importance of spiritual oversight in leadership transitions, reminding us of the need for spiritual guidance in our decisions.

Continuity of God's Plan
The seamless transition from Moses to Joshua illustrates God's unchanging plan and faithfulness. It reassures us that God’s purposes prevail through different leaders and generations.

Courage and Faithfulness
Joshua's example encourages us to be courageous and faithful in the roles God assigns to us, trusting in His presence and promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' obedience in this passage challenge us to respond to God's commands in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we ensure that leadership transitions in our communities or churches are conducted with transparency and accountability?

3. How can the involvement of spiritual leaders, like Eleazar, guide us in making significant decisions today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Joshua's commissioning about stepping into new roles or responsibilities with courage and faith?

5. How does the continuity of God's plan from Moses to Joshua encourage us in times of change or uncertainty in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 31
This chapter further elaborates on the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing the continuity of God's presence and guidance.

Joshua 1
The commissioning of Joshua is reiterated, highlighting God's promise to be with him as He was with Moses, encouraging strength and courage.

1 Timothy 4
Paul’s instructions to Timothy about leadership and setting an example for believers can be seen as a New Testament parallel to the leadership transition and public affirmation seen in Numbers 27:22.
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 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, Caused, Causeth, Commanded, Company, Congregation, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Joshua, Meeting, Priest, Stand, Taketh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 27:22

     5102   Moses, life of

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

Links
Numbers 27:22 NIV
Numbers 27:22 NLT
Numbers 27:22 ESV
Numbers 27:22 NASB
Numbers 27:22 KJV

Numbers 27:22 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 27:21
Top of Page
Top of Page