Christ IS the answer!

Numbers 27:16-17
16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”

As Moses’ life drew near an end, there was one important thought at the forefront of his mind: that God would appoint a good leader for Israel. Moses wanted to make sure that the person God selected would be like a shepherd to the people. He wanted a man who would not only be out preparing the way for them, but would also be living among them, and going behind them to ensure that no one was left behind.

Moses was asking for a leader for the nation of Israel, but he wasn’t specific with God. He asked for a man to be set over the congregation. He wasn’t specific in his words as to which congregation he was referring; he just said “congregation”. God listened to Moses and answered his prayer, with exactly what he asked for. I find it somewhat amusing how legalistic our God of grace can actually be. With God, specificity is crucial! Take, for example, the resurrection of Lazarus. (John 11:43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”) Had Jesus not called Lazarus, specifically, all of the dead would have risen!

Thanks to Moses’ lack of specification, when he made his plea with God for the next leader of the congregation, he inadvertently asked for a Messiah! Now of course we know God isn’t an idiot and He knew exactly what Moses was asking for, but He used the faithful prayer of Moses to bless the rest of the world. He answered Moses’ implied prayer with Joshua, a man whose name means Jehovah Saves. But God chose to answer Moses’ actual prayer with His own Son, Jesus.

Moses was specific in some of his prayer. He asked for a man who could go ahead of the people, prepare a way, come back to get the people, and lead them in. He asked for a man who would not only be a leader to the people, but who would live with them, like a shepherd lives with the flock. Moses wanted someone who would care for the people, who would ensure that each person made it into the promised land.

The real answer to Moses’ prayer in Numbers 27, his prayer for a true leader, is Jesus Christ. Christ Himself said that He is the good shepherd (John 10:11). Christ Himself said that He would go prepare a place and return to get us (John 14:2-3). Christ is the head of the church, which is also called a congregation (Ephesians 5:23). Christ is the answer!