Context: God has finished with his instructions to Moses and has given him a tablet with the ten commandments. God became upset at the people because they created and worshipped a golden calf. God told Moses that he would no longer lead the way for the people in the desert because he was afraid he'd kill them if he got near! Moses has been arguing with him.
Today's Devotion Text:
7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
We see Joshua in the text today in two places. He met with Moses after God gave the ten commandments, and it almost seems like he didn' t really know what was going on with the people -- maybe he (Joshua) stayed outside of the camp the entire time Moses was gone.
Here again, in today's devotion text, Joshua is right by Moses' side -- even in the tent of meeting! When Moses finishes talking with God he returns to the camp, but Joshua stays behind. Did Joshua hear God speak, too? Was he guarding the tent, or was God preparing him in some way for his future leadership role? Whatever the reason, Joshua seems to have set himself apart from the influence of the crowd.
Where do you see yourself in today's reading? Like Moses, do you seek the will of God? Are you a key supporter of one of God's chosen? Do you turn quickly to other gods like the Israelites did? Do you cave to peer pressure like Aaron? Do you stand quickly when asked if you support God like the Levites did?
What role do you want to play?
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