That the People May Obey (Numb 27:18-20)

“And the LORD said to Moses, Take you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And you shall put some of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.” (Nu 27:18-20 AKJV)

If we’ll be obedient, then we need leadership. The sovereign God appoints Christ over us, and thereby His ministers, as they TEACH us the gospel.  Men are not able to do what is right in their own eyes or even learn on their own; they learn from men, and then they join up with those men that they’ve learned from - “For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews“ (1 Thess 2:14). Christ is the Teacher through the apostles, prophets, and holy scriptures, and we’re to be SUBJECT to authority, for our good.

The mother has AUTHORITY over the children, the father is the head of the family, Christ is the Head of the Church, and the pastor is the under-shepherd given authority by Him.

Be sure to HEAR these gifted men, judging everything by the Word, but don’t be so foolish as to think that you’re your own pastor and don’t need to hear. I must check what I preach at the door of other men’s thoughts to see if I have erred; if I see differently, then after triple checking my words, I will proceed in fear of God, but I’m not a man who has no covering or head; I am in subjection to Christ as evidenced by my life and message. All who are SAVED are subject to the authority God’s given you, for your good.

God didn’t say, “Moses is gone, so I’ll teach the people individually”, but He had Moses ordain another man, and set him straight, so that he could lead - (Josh 1:1-2) “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses‘ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan you, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Those who follow God’s APPOINTED leaders are blessed; everyone else is like the sons of Korah who rebel unto their shame.