If we are told by God that we would not be given a certain task or given a certain gift, but another person would take the lead in fulfilling the task or be given that gift instead, would we remain happy and give glory to God? Or would we begin to throw tantrum and pout, thinking that God is being unfair or showing favouritism? Or would we feel jealous or envious towards the other person, even to the point of trying to put the other person down or belittling the other person?
In today’s reading, “Moses proceeded to address these words to the whole of Israel, ‘I am one hundred and twenty years old now, and can no longer come and go as I will. The Lord has said to me, “You shall not cross this Jordan.” It is the Lord your God who will cross it at your head to destroy these nations facing you and dispossess them; and Joshua too shall cross at your head, as the Lord has said.” The reading also states: “Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel said to him, ‘Be strong, stand firm; you are going with this people into the land the Lord swore to their fathers he would give them; you are to give it into their possession. The Lord himself will lead you; he will be with you; he will not fail you or desert you. Have no fear, do not be disheartened by anything.’”
From the reading, we can see that Moses was not jealous or envious of Joshua. Moses knew and accepted that God had chosen Joshua to cross at the head with the whole of Israel. So, instead of being egoistic or angry about it, Moses gave encouragement and advice to Joshua. Would we be willing and able to follow Moses’ example if we were in his situation? Ultimately, Moses remained steadfast in giving glory to God in all he said and did. May we strive to do the same.