Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
5/18 Reading Portions: Numbers 27; Psalms 70-71; Isaiah 17-18; 1 Peter 5
Numbers 27:16
“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation...”
ENTRY
Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num 27:13-14) because Moses should have spoken to the rock at Meribah; but instead, he struck it twice (Num 20:10-12). Since he could not lead Israel into the Promised Land, he asked YHVH to appoint a Shepherd to lead them (Num 27:16-17). The LORD appointed Joshua, whose name means, “Yah is salvation.”
Many types and foreshadows are pictured here. Moses represents the Law, as well as man’s failure to keep God’s Law. The Promised Land represents blessed salvation through God’s gospel. Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ. Moses was allowed to see the Promised Land (Num 27:13), just as the Law foretells of Christ to come, while this also foreshadows the gospel blessings. The Law, however, kept by fallen man, cannot bring the sinner to a right relationship with God. The best of sinful man’s works is full of the corruption remaining in mortal flesh. Only Christ Jesus can bring sinners into the gospel blessings and promises. Jesus must lead as Commander of our victories over idolatry in the gospel life, just as Joshua led Israel to defeat the wicked, idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan.
We have not entered the promise or gained salvation through our keeping the Law. We were led into salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Man who has ever kept God’s Law perfectly and completely in thought, word, and deed. Understanding this allows us to continue to look to Jesus for strength and refuge for every battle which must take place to possess the Gospel promises. Although we did not work to receive salvation, once in the Promised Land, there are battles to be fought, there are gospel promises to possess, there is work to be done… until Christ Jesus returns for us— for He is our appointed Man! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
The Man appointed by the LORD
Was Christ, God’s only Son;
Foreshadow’d here by God’s true Word,
That’s how our vict’ry’s won.