Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with whom is the Spirit

“Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with whom is the Spirit” (Joshua 27:18)

   God had declared His determinate will that Moses should not lead Israel right into the Promised Land. God had decided that Moses should die and join his forefathers in Paradise before crossing the river Jordan (13v). Moses, the most faithful and obedient servant of God, had immediately submitted himself to God’s will. He did not try to convince God to somehow allow him to enter the Promised Land. He only prayed that God would raise another leader who is worthy and able to lead the people of God to take possession of the Promised Land.

   We have many lessons to learn from this instance. Moses had two sons, Gershom and Eleazer. Yet we see Moses asking God to show him the person who should lead the people of Israel after him. So the first lesson for us to learn here is that spiritual leadership does not and should not come as heredity to anyone. No one should be accepted and appointed as leader of God’s people just because he is the son of a great leader or preacher. Each leader must be selected and appointed by God according to His own sovereign will.

   Secondly, we must consider the first and foremost qualification required to become the leader of God’s people. God did not say “pick up Joshua and appoint him the leader - he is highly educated!” nor did He say “take Joshua and make Him the leader of my people because he is very strong and sturdy!” God did not even say that Joshua should be the next leader because he comes from a great family. None of these is the reason for God to choose Joshua as the successor of Moses.

   God said “take Joshua and appoint him the leader because he has the Spirit!” The first and foremost qualification to serve God is the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

   No man can serve God effectively without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This truth is so important that it is impossible to over emphasize it. All the men who were used by God in a mighty way have been anointed men. Education, physical health, experience and training are good but they cannot be of any use in the ministry if the minister is not anointed.

   God wants all His children to be anointed. The precious anointing of the Holy Spirit is not meant only for the full time servants of God. It is not meant for evangelists and pastors alone. The leader cannot lead properly if he is not anointed and the followers can’t follow faithfully without the anointing on their heads.

   Let us recognize the importance of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, pray and receive it. May the Lord help us and guide us in our pursuit of this most precious blessing! Amen and Amen!