Theophany: The God Who Goes Before: Moses to Joshua

Joshua succeeding Moses: Deuteronomy 31 source: https://biblefront2back.blogspot.com/2010/11/numbers-27-joshuas-rise.html

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

I witnessed such a succession in 1958, when I was 12 years old.

• My 57-year-old Father Rudolph Kalis was the pastor of Emmanuel Pentecostal Church..

• Suddenly, he was critically injured in an automobile accident and put out of action.

• My 27-year-old brother Bob stepped in and led the church for 36 years until the LORD took him home.

Bob knew he wanted to be a minister at 8, but Jesus made him wait and learn for 19 years.

The Scene

Moses stood before the people, 120 years old, his face lined by desert winds and divine encounters. The wilderness journey was nearly over. He would not cross the Jordan, yet God’s purpose would not end with him.

Before all Israel, Moses called Joshua forward, laid his hands upon him, and spoke the words God Himself had commanded. Then, in a moment of holy gravity, “the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of cloud: and the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.”  (v. 15)

It was the same Presence that had led them from Egypt — the fire by night, the cloud by day — now drawing near once more to seal the transfer of leadership. God Himself commissioned Joshua. Human hands anointed, but divine glory confirmed.

Reflection: The God Who Goes Before

The God who called Moses from the burning bush now stands beside Joshua in the pillar of cloud. His message has not changed: “I will be with thee.”Leaders come and go; servants rise and rest; yet the Presence abides. What comfort that must have been to Joshua, who had walked in Moses’ shadow for forty years. The same God who parted the sea would part the Jordan.

This Theophany reminds us that God’s work never depends on one generation alone. The torch of faith passes on, but the flame is eternal. Whether you are handing over responsibility or taking it up, His word is sure: “Fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Application: Passing the Torch to Joshua

Every believer will face a Deuteronomy 31 moment — the letting go of what has been and the stepping forward into what will be.

Parents entrust their children; pastors their flocks; teachers their students; saints their prayers. We are stewards, not owners, of God’s work.

Here at RPH, as a few of us gather to break bread and remember the Lord, we stand in the same succession of grace.

From Moses to Joshua, from Paul to Timothy, from elder to younger, the promise continues: He will go before you.The cloud still moves; our task is simply to follow.

Closing Prayer

Almighty God,We thank You for the faith of Moses and the courage of Joshua.Thank You for Your Presence that neither fades nor fails.Go before us in the week ahead; lead us where we must walk,and teach us to trust the unseen road.As we share the Lord’s Supper and remember Your covenant,make us one in purpose and in hope. We offer ourselves anew — not for our glory, but for Yours —in the name of Jesus Christ, who goes before us and abides forever. Amen.

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God of the pro­phets! Bless the pro­phets’ sons,

Elijah’s man­tle o’er Eli­sha cast;

Each age its so­lemn task may claim but once;

Make each one nob­ler, strong­er, than the last.

Anoint them pro­phets! Make their ears at­tent

To Thy di­vin­est speech; their hearts awake

To hu­man need; their lips make elo­quent

To gird the right and ev­ery ev­il break.

Anoint them priests! Strong in­ter­cess­ors, they

For par­don, and for char­ity and peace.

Ah, if with them the world might, now as­tray,

Find in our Lord from all its woes re­lease!

Anoint them kings; aye, king­ly kings, O Lord.

Anoint them with the Spir­it of Thy Son.

Theirs not a jew­eled crown, a blood-stained sword;

Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a king­dom won.

Make them apos­tles, her­alds of Thy cross,

Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace;

Inspired of Thee, may they count all but loss,

And stand at last with joy be­fore Thy face.

O migh­ty age of pro­phet kings, re­turn!

O truth, O faith, en­rich our ur­gent time!

Lord Je­sus Christ, again with us so­journ;

A wea­ry world awaits Thy reign sub­lime.

Words: Den­is Wort­man, 1884