After the Lord informs Moses that he will “gathered to his people” (Num. 27:12-13), Moses makes one request: while I am living, appoint a new shepherd (Num. 27:16-17). Why?

וְלֹא תִהְיֶה, עֲדַת יְהוָה, כַּצֹּאן, אֲשֶׁר אֵין-לָהֶם רֹעֶה

“That the congregation of the Lord would not be as sheep without a shepherd for them.”

As we know, the Lord instructs Moses to take Joshua, lay hands on him, set him before Eleazar the high priest, and give him this sacred duty before all the congregation (Num. 17:18-19).

Moses wanted Israel to have a leader in place before his own graduation. A leader known to the people, trusted by them, and in whom the Spirit of God rested. Joshua was Moses trusted student, and a leader in his own right.

Still, there is a clue in Moses’ words that is helpful, or dare I say, vitally important for all leaders, regardless of stature, to understand. As Moses said to God, Israel should “not be as sheep without a shepherd for them.”

“For them” is often lost in translation, but it is important in this plea of Moses. His successor should be there, as their shepherd, “for them.” In other words, not for themselves, their own gain, or their own fame. Joshua, Moses knew, would be there for them: the people of God.

Yeshua/Jesus also appointed successors, the apostles, and from the apostles, the gift ministries articulated by Paul (Eph. 4:11-16): gift offices to a Body of disciples discipling (Matt. 28:18-20).

Yeshua had compassion on His people, and He did not want to see them as “sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). To the Jewish hearer of the first-century, this would draw their minds back to Moses, and his desire for Israel to have a leader, a caregiver, a protector; as the Jewish people were, in effect, without a good shepherd at that time.

Here we find Yeshua, the Good Shepherd. He is the fullness of Moses’ prayer typified in Joshua, now realized. The Joshua who would give His people rest. Yeshua is a shepherd “for them,” as Moses prayed, the sheep of His flock. He was not for Himself, but for the Lord, and the flock the Father gave to Him.

What does this say to us?

For leaders: lead for the sake of heaven and those entrusted to your care. For parents: parent for the sake of your children. For teachers: teach for the sake of your students. You can fill in other professions, positions, and vocations. But what about everyone else?

The word translated as shepherd has several meanings in Hebrew: shepherd, companion, and friend. So …

Be a friend: for the sake of those in need of a friend. Be a companion: for the sake of the lonely. “For the sake of …” out of consideration for someone else’s good, done for their benefit.

Yes, Moses was speaking of a national leader, but this was a national leader of leaders. Yeshua is our eternal leader, the Good Shepherd, Who has established shepherds for shepherds, friends for friends, and companions for companions. The tending of His flock.

No matter what He has called you to, do so, for the sake of those in your care; and others, or even those tended to, will also do unto you (Matt. 7:12).

Be well. Shalom.