Sheep Which Have No Shepherd (Numbers 27:15-17)

2022-09-18

And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (Numbers 27:15-17)

Moses was about to die because of his own sin at Meribah, but his concern was for the people, who would have a leadership vacuum in his absence. In his stead, Joshua would replace him:

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him (Numbers 27:18)

A qualified, spirit-filled man replaced Moses. Joshua had been Moses’ servant for years and had learned from him. By serving, Joshua learned how to serve and to lead.

Ultimately, only God can be that Shepherd. He cares for His sheep more than any other:

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (Ezekiel 34:11-12)

Jesus was the Good Shepherd that gave His life for the sheep:

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

...our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep... (Hebrews 13:20)

God’s leaders will sacrificially give themselves for the people they serve, and Jesus did for us. God’s leaders will want to guide those they lead, so they can become like Him. He wants His people to have the stability they need.