Exodus chapter 24 verses 13 – 14 (NIV)
Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.”
Exodus chapter 32 verses 17 – 18 (NIV)
When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.” Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.”
Exodus chapter 32 verses 25-26 (NIV)
Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.
When Moses went back up Mount Sinai, he took his young assistant Joshua with him. I always forget this. Joshua learned early and well what it would be like to be the leader of God’s people. Just as Jesus often took Peter, James and John with Him; to reveal God’s ways to them, Moses took Joshua. But Moses left Aaron and the elders to look after the people. God had permitted Aaron to be His spokesman when Moses went back to Egypt, and the elders too had had a taste of the glory of God, so they should have been able to set a good example to the people. Sadly, we see that Aaron let them get out of control and they very quickly went astray. Joshua was in the safest place, close to Moses and as close to God as he was permitted to go. Moses then had to exercise true leadership and rally those who would put God first.
How quickly do we forget about the power of grace of God, and try to work out things for ourselves without consulting Him, particularly if we feel that we are not seeing answers to our prayers as quickly as we would like? We need to be like Joshua; the safest and best place we can be is as close to God as we can. Its also a reminder to encourage young Christians to do that. They may like Joshua have a place of leadership further down the line and its good for them to see the right example as set by Moses. Let’s not be like Aaron and set a bad example. Remember its not only God who is watching what we do.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the preparation and training that Joshua received to fulfil his calling. Thank You for his obedience. Help me to encourage those who are young in the faith, no matter what their age in years, and to set a good example as Your ambassador. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.