The New Shepherd

What were your reflections from the bible study and sermon on Numbers 22-24, about Balaam and Balak, and the unstoppable blessing of God?
Do you have any stories from this week about being open to God's leading and guiding voice?

What is significant about the promise that Moses would be 'gathered to his people as Aaron was'? What hope did Moses have in life after death?
- What is our hope in life after death? Is it different to Moses's?
Why do you think Moses calls God "the God who gives breath to all living things" here? Is this title for God significant in some way?
How do you think Joshua's commissioning (vs. 18-23) would have made him feel?
- What would it have meant to the assembled people?
Matthew and Mark echo Moses words here in Matthew 9:36 and Mark 6:34. Why do you think they do this? Why do God's people need shepherds like this? Can't God just be the shepherd?
- Who are the shepherds in your faith/life?
- In what sense is Jesus your shepherd? And in what sense has he appointed shepherds in your life?
Why do you think God choose Joshua to be the New Shepherd over Israel?
- Does this appointment show us something about who we choose to listen to and follow?

Pay attention to the instructions given to Joshua. What do you notice about them?
Now turn your attention to all the promises given to Joshua. What do you notice about them?
What does this show us about our own obedience and relationship with God?
- What does it show us about the calling of shepherds in our lives?

What will you take away from all this? What does Joshua's commissioning by Moses in Numbers 27, and by God himself in Joshua 1, show us about being a leader and following God?

Spend some time praying for the shepherds God has appointed in your life - that they would be obedient and courageous.

Spend some time praying for one another, that we would go into life with the same assurance of God's presence that Joshua was given.

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