Truth #267 - If you want a good transition of leadership make sure you "invest" in the next leaders success - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 27:20 (ESV version)
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

Numbers 27:20 (NIV version)
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

Numbers 27:20 (NASV version)
You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him.

Truth:  If you want a good transition of leadership make sure you "invest" in the next leaders success.

The above verse is taken from a chapter that is outlining God's final words and instruction to Moses.  The only leader Israel has had, up to this point, is Moses.  He is revered by them and will be revered forever by the nation.   But, God is not allowing him to enter the promise land because of his own disobedience (God is no respecter of persons).   Moses, in his wisdom, ask God, however, for someone to follow in his steps; someone to lead the nation. Here is what he says to God in the verses just prior to our above verse:

Numbers 27:15-17
Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”

There is about to be a transition of leadership.   Moses wants to make sure that someone is leading Israel (shows his compassion for them) and to make sure the person is successful in the eyes of the nation (shows his knowledge of them).   God appoints Joshua.   But, to make sure the transition works, God instructs Moses to give Joshua some authority now.   This early "investment" into Joshua would be a way for the nation to see his leadership and Moses approval of it.   In each of the versions of this verse, above, there is a little different twist, but the truth is the same:  Give Joshua some responsibility and authority NOW and he will be successful tomorrow.  If you want success in leadership transition you have to be willing to invest in the person  you are about to give leadership to.   That will allow them to be successful.