The LORD Ensures His People Have a Shepherd to Lead Them

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Moses, the Lawgiver (and breaker
Eleazar, the Priest
Joshua, the Conqueror

SERMON TEXT: Numbers 27:12-23

The LORD said to Moses, “Go up onto this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land which I have given to the Israelites. After you have seen it, you yourself will also be gathered to your people just as Aaron your brother was gathered. For when the community quarreled in the Wilderness of Zin, you both rebelled against my command to honor me as holy in their sight at the waters.” (This refers to the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.) Moses spoke to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the community, who will go out before them and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and place your hand on him. Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire community. You will commission him in their sight. You will give some of your authority to him so that the entire Israelite community will listen to him. He will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire for him before the LORD with the decision of the Urim. He and all the Israelites with him, the entire community, will go out at his command and come in at his command.” Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire community. He placed his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD spoke through Moses.

Bible Readings

FIRST LESSON: Numbers 27:12-23

See Sermon Text

SECOND LESSON: Hebrews 13:7-8,17-21

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Carefully consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as men who will give an account. Obey them, so that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us, because we are sure that we have a good conscience, and because in everything we want to conduct ourselves in an honorable way. I urge you to do this even more, so that I may be restored to you quickly. Now may the God of peace—who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, in connection with his blood, which established the eternal testament— may he equip you with every good thing to do his will, as he works in us what is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY: Isaiah 55:11

Word will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it

GOSPEL: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” For there were so many people coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat. They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. But many people saw them leave and knew where they were going. They ran there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. When Jesus stepped out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. His heart went out to them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.