Deuteronomy 3:28
‘But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.”
Moses was to select Joshua as the new leader of Israel. His first task was to lead them into their new land. This must have been tough for him, as he wantef that job.
Just a couple of verses earlier, Moses was fervently asking God to do that. God got frustrated and said, “Don’t speak to Me about this matter again.” That sounds like He said “No”, but Moses persisted in asking.
Moses not only didn’t he get what He wanted, he was to give it to Joshua, his number one guy. I’m sure Moses wrestled with jealousy. He was a big man, so I’m sure it didn’t seep into his actions, but the very thing he wanted went to his protege.
Jealousy is a common response. It’s probably the motivation for Cain killing Abel. Not getting what we want is a daily occurance. It’s not as often that those around us get that very thing. How do we handle that? Do we crave it? Do we begin to think ill of others? Does it affect how we treat them? If so, we may be jealous.
I think of the phrase, “Be the better person”. We’re at an impasse. Usually, it’s a disagreement. Neither is budging. Frustrations are rising. Let it go. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘
This doesn’t mean we don’t attempt to get our needs met. Needs and wants are different. Moses would do fine without that trip. He greatly wanted it. But he would do fine.
Lord, help us to have a light touch on things. That we could let them go, if so prompted. Help us not to be jealous.