Passing the torch

Today: Numbers 26-27

Can you believe the winter Olympics are starting soon? This time around, they'll be in my other home city--Vancouver (a few of my friends actually get to see some of the Games live--I'm a little jealous, actually, I won't lie here...). :)

One thing that always symbolizes the Olympics is the torch. Before the Games, the torch begins its journey in Greece until it finds it way all to the site of the Olympics. "Passing the torch" is a tradition that happens with the Olympics, but it also happens in our lives. Parents "pass the torch" of their values and family history to their children. Teachers "pass the torch" of knowledge to their students. And mentors "pass the torch" when they share wisdom that helps us grow--so that we can eventually lead and mentor others.

Today's passage included a "passing of the torch," when Moses ended his time leading the Israelites and God chose Joshua to lead the next generation.

God placed His Spirit in Joshua and asked Moses to take Joshua to the high priest and publicly introduce Joshua to the people as their leader--using his authority to "pass the torch" in a way that set up his successor for the job. God specifically indicated that as the leader, Joshua should listen to the prayerful advice of the high priest.

I wonder how Moses felt in the moment? I mean, he was the guy who God used to free the Israelites and lead them through a desert for 40 years! Yet Moses did NOT get to lead Israel into the Promised Land because of a serious mistake (see "Missing the Promise"). However, the moment was probably bittersweet because Joshua was one of Moses' most trusted leaders--a guy who had been with him from the beginning and held him up (literally at moments). Though passing the torch may not have been easy, Moses did it God's way...with class.

Tomorrow: Numbers 28-30