Deuteronomy 32, 34 | Leaving A Legacy

Now Joshua, the son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him, and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. (Deuteronomy 34:9-12)

Writing someone’s obituary is a challenging task. How do you summarize an entire life in a few paragraphs? But it is done somewhere every day. Life and human history move forward relentlessly.

The Bible writes an epitaph for Moses that is enviable… one that anyone would be grateful to have.

Notice the summation:

There was no prophet like Moses
He knew God face to face
God performed signs and wonders through him in Egypt
His life was marked by mighty power

But perhaps the most significant legacy was found in his faithful disciple, Joshua. Moses had looked behind and raised the next generation leader to take his place. There was no vacuum in leadership. In fact, Joshua was able to take the people places where Moses was unable to go. Moses freely passed the baton as he “laid his hands on him.” And the movement of God continued with no interruption.

Father, thank You for the privilege of playing a part in Your eternal plan for Your Kingdom. Help me cooperate well, like Moses. Help me to be so pliable, even in the face of great odds, that You would be pleased to bless my work with power. And help me relax my hands when it is time to pass the torch to those behind me. Give me the simple legacy of a faithful, reproducing life.