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Deuteronomy 31:7
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Luke 9:1-5
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases…

Luke 10:2-11
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest trulyis great, but the labourersare few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest…

Take Joshua son of Nun
Joshua, whose name means "The LORD is salvation," is introduced as the successor to Moses. He is the son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim. Joshua had been Moses' assistant and had proven his faithfulness and leadership abilities, notably as one of the two spies who brought back a positive report from Canaan (Numbers 14:6-9). His selection signifies the importance of mentorship and preparation for leadership within the community of Israel.

a man with the Spirit in him
This phrase indicates that Joshua is endowed with the Spirit of God, which is essential for leadership among God's people. The presence of the Spirit signifies divine approval and empowerment, enabling Joshua to lead with wisdom and strength. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers for service (Acts 1:8). It also foreshadows the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and His followers.

and lay your hands on him
The laying on of hands is a symbolic act of transferring authority and blessing. It signifies the official commissioning of Joshua as Moses' successor. This practice is seen throughout Scripture as a means of ordination and impartation of spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14). It also prefigures the New Testament practice of laying on hands for healing and commissioning (Acts 6:6). This act ensures continuity of leadership and God's ongoing guidance for Israel.

– The passage opens with personal, direct communication from God, underscoring that leadership change is His initiative, not human maneuvering (cf.Exodus 3:14;Psalm 99:6).

– Moses had just asked, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man…” (Numbers 27:15-17). God’s immediate reply models His faithfulness to shepherd His people (John 10:14).

– Takeaway: when God leads, He speaks clearly and specifically, just as He promised inJeremiah 33:3.

– Joshua is named unambiguously; there is no search committee or vote. God points to the man He has been preparing sinceExodus 17:9 andNumbers 13:16.

– Joshua had served Moses closely (Exodus 24:13), battled in faith (Numbers 14:6-9), and lingered in the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:11).

– God’s choice shows succession comes from proven, faithful service rather than novelty (2 Timothy 2:2).

– The community receives assurance that the new leader already knows the terrain—both physical and spiritual (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

– Joshua’s qualification is spiritual, not merely administrative. Earlier, the Spirit rested on the seventy elders to help Moses carry the load (Numbers 11:25); now one man is singled out as Spirit-filled.

–Deuteronomy 34:9 later confirms, “Joshua son of Nun was filled with the Spirit of wisdom.”

– This anticipates the consistent biblical pattern: leadership flows from the empowering presence of God’s Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13;Acts 6:3-5).

– Practical implication: gifting may vary, but Spirit filling is non-negotiable for those who guide God’s people (Ephesians 5:18).

– The laying on of hands is a visible, public act of commissioning. It conveys blessing, identification, and transfer of authority (cf.Numbers 8:10;Deuteronomy 34:9).

– Moses does not cling to power; he openly endorses Joshua, avoiding confusion or rivalry (Acts 13:3).

– Hands convey no mystical power of their own; they symbolize God-given authority recognized by the congregation (1 Timothy 4:14;2 Timothy 1:6).

– For today’s church, ordination or commissioning serves the same purpose: acknowledging God’s call and encouraging the one sent.

Numbers 27:18 records God’s orderly transition plan: He speaks, selects Joshua, verifies Spirit-empowerment, and instructs a public commissioning. The verse teaches that leadership succession is God-directed, Spirit-dependent, and confirmed by the believing community.

And lay thine hand upon him.--It is to be observed that the spiritual qualifications of Joshua did not supersede the necessity of an outward consecration to his office. Nay, more; it seems that special qualifications for the office were bestowed in connection with the imposition of the hands of Moses, for it is written inDeuteronomy 34:9 that "Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him."