“Joshua, son of Nun, did not leave the tent.” (Exodus 33:11b)
No big deal, nothing to note. Or . . . wait.
It was the Tent of Meeting, a temporary place Moses constructed outside the camp before the Tabernacle was built. It was a place where people would come to Moses to hear from the Lord. It was a place where the cloud representing God’s presence would come down and stay at the entrance, while Moses went inside and spoke with God “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”
It must have been a sight – that dense pillar of cloud could be seen for miles around. In fact, the people of Israel would stop, stand at the doors of their tents, look out at that cloud and worship. God was there, His glory hovered, He was speaking.
“Then Moses would return to the camp.” (Exodus 33:11)
We know some of what Moses’ conversation with God was like because in the next chapter he is led to a place where God shows Moses more of Himself and His glory. God then gives detailed instructions about His covenant with His people and His plans for their future.
“But his young aide Joshua, son of Nun, did not leave the tent.”
Young Joshua was already a witness to mighty acts of God – the parting of the Red Sea, the destruction of the polished Egyptian army, the provision of manna, quail, and water from a rock – all this in care of some two million Israelites called by God to be His people and led by God to His place for their future.
Joshua skillfully swung his sword and, along with other Israelite warriors, overcame the Amalekite army as Moses (with the help of Aaron and Hur) held the staff of God above the battle. (Exodus 17:8-16) And when God asked Moses to chronicle the event and God’s promise about the Amalekites, He said, “Make sure that Joshua hears it.”
Joshua had traveled with Moses and others as far as the base of Mt. Sinai when Moses went into the cloud of the glory of the Lord for a week. And it sounds like Joshua stayed there, while the elders and Aaron and Hur went back to camp and Moses went further up the mountain and stayed forty days and forty nights. (Exodus 24:13-18)
It was Joshua who alerted Moses of the ruckus going on in the camp as they came down the mountain, which turned out to be the corporate impatient and unholy worship of a golden calf. (Exodus 32:35)
Surely all this grand display of God’s care and power and purpose was shaping young Joshua. And several commentaries conclude that Joshua, aide to Moses, was doing his job of caring for the tent in Exodus 33:11 when Moses went back to the camp.
But I believe it was more.
I believe Joshua wanted more.
Joshua not only wanted to witness and participate in the mighty acts of God, I think he also wanted to hear God for Himself.
Hadn’t Moses just been in there talking with God as one does to a friend? Was the pillar of the cloud of God’s presence still there?
Then perhaps this is why Joshua wasn’t leaving. He was staying until He also experienced God for Himself.
The truth is, we can see all kinds of wonders around us, all manner of grand activity God has done on behalf of us and others. We can read the Bible stories, hear the sermons, sing the songs, and do the good works. But have we ourselves listened to God Himself?
And when we hear, what difference does it make?
For Joshua, it meant that when scouting out the land promised to the Israelites, but currently populated with strong and scary foreigners, he determined to not be afraid. Along with Caleb, Joshua took a stand before all the people and begged them to trust the promise, the protection, and the provision of God. Ready to move into the unknown yet “exceedingly good” territory, they urged their community to not rebel against God. They pleaded, “The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Number 13:1-14:9)
For Joshua, it meant that he, along with Caleb, were the only two of that generation who lived long enough to see the Promised Land, because they “followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” (Numbers 32:12)
For Joshua, it meant that when Moses was near death and a new leader of Israel was appointed by God, the one chosen was one “in whom is the Spirit.” It was Joshua. (Numbers 27:18)
Then God said to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous . . . Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth . . . be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:5, 6, 8)
I don’t think these were new words to Joshua. This was a familiar voice, One he had already heard many times. This Book of the Law was in his heart; Joshua had been listening. His was no hand-me-down faith, no second-hand blessing. And for him, moving into the unknown with strength and courage was not untried.