Joshua Appointed

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Deuteronomy
• Chapters: 31, 34
• Summary: Moses publicly commissions Joshua as his successor, lays hands on him, and God promises Joshua leadership as He had with Moses.

Details

In Deuteronomy 31, Moses called Joshua (Son of Nun) and commanded him in the hearing of all Israel: “Be strong and courageous. For you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.” Moses stood in the doorway of the tabernacle and gave the command. The text says “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the children of Israel listened to him” (34:9). God had previously told Moses, “Behold, Aaron will die… and Joshua shall enter there” (31:2). God also commanded Moses and Joshua to appear before the priest Eleazar at the tabernacle, where Eleazar would inquire for them using the Urim. God warned Moses that after his death, the people would “whore after foreign gods” and break the covenant, which is why the Song of Moses was written as a witness. The book of the Law was placed beside the Ark of the Covenant as a permanent witness.

Key People Involved

• Moses — Commissioned Joshua, laid hands on him
• Joshua (Son of Nun) — Appointed successor, “full of the spirit of wisdom”
• Eleazar — High priest, to inquire with Urim for Joshua
• All Israel — Witnesses to the appointment

Key Places

• Tabernacle — Where the appointment ceremony occurred
• Plains of Moab — Overall location

Important Verses

• Deuteronomy 31:7–8 — “And Moses called to Joshua… Be strong and courageous… for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them.”
• Deuteronomy 31:23 — “Joshua the son of Nun… because you have been consecrated in it.”
• Deuteronomy 34:9 — “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him.”

Cross-References

• Related events: Death of Moses, Moses’ Farewell Speeches
• Fulfilled in: Joshua 1 — God appears to Joshua, “Arise, go over this Jordan”
• NT connection: The laying on of hands as a pattern for leadership succession
• Acts 13:3 — Paul and Barnabas laid hands on for mission

Notes

The transition from Moses to Joshua is one of the great leadership transitions in Scripture. The Hebrew names are nearly identical — Mosheh (Moses) and Yehoshua (Joshua). Joshua’s name means “Yahweh saves” — the same meaning as “Jesus.” The pattern of divine calling, empowerment, and public commissioning establishes a template for all biblical leadership succession.