SUMMARY
In response to Moses requesting a leader to replace him before his imminent death, God instructs Moses to publicly give Joshua some of his authority so that the people will obey him.
ANALYSIS
God announced to Moses that he would die shortly, before entering the Promised Land because of his sin with the rock at Meribah. Moses, ever the shepherd of Israel, asked God to appoint someone to lead the community so that the Israelites would not be like sheep without a shepherd. God instructed Moses to appoint Joshua, and to publicly ordain him for leadership. Unlike Moses, Joshua would not hear from God directly, at least not regularly. Instead, Eleazer would inquire for him by means of sacred lots.
