Monday 24 November 2025
When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them: “I am now one hundred twenty years old. I am no longer able to get about, and the Lord has told me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.'" (vs 1-2)
Background
The chapters in Deuteronomy we are looking at this week are about a handing over of role and of power. They involve the ending of Moses’ faithful ministry and Joshua’s entering a new stage as the mantle is passed over.
They are the ending of one story and the beginning of another. They mark the ending of the books of the law.
This handover of ministry does not just impact Moses and Joshua as individuals, but it also affects the community, who are learning of and recognising the change of leadership. The community are learning that as they cross the River Jordan and enter the next chapter of their communal story Moses, who has led them for so long, won’t be part of that journey. They are having to get used to Joshua taking over.
This is not just a static story of the past, but an event which is charged with a set of underlying and mixed emotions.
Moses has been told death is near and he won’t enter the Promised Land, and is now having to announce that to the community. Joshua is being announced as the new leader who will cross the Jordan with them.
To Ponder:
- Have you had to lay down a ministry role, either lay or ordained, and allow somebody else to move it into the next stage? If so, how did you feel about that and how did you ensure a good handover of responsibility?
- Have you had to succeed somebody you had a lot of respect for and how did you feel about that? Were there things you could learn to pass on to your successor?
Bible notes author: Sally Rush
Sally is a Learning & Development Officer in the Methodist Connexional Team.