Exodus 33:11b “When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”
TRUSTWORTHY
Moses had established the tent of meeting outside the camp. That is where he went to meet with the Lord. This was before the actual Tabernacle. It was a special place, a place that should be protected as holy. So, who went with Moses there? None other than Joshua, son of Nun.
But he didn’t just go with Moses and stand guard while he was in the tent talking to the Lord. When Moses would return to the camp, with his face shining from being in the presence of the Lord, Joshua would remain behind, standing guard at the tent of meeting. We see no indication that he grumbled or complained. He was loyal and dedicated. He was willing to serve, even if it meant guarding a tent. This was the same Joshua who had led the army in their first battle. He was a warrior, but here he was just standing there.
TEACHING MOMENT
Do your children ever complain of the small chores they have to do? Who likes doing those things? I used to have to go around the house and empty all the trash cans and then take the trash out. That may have seen like a small chore, but just imagine what would happen if no one did that. Your children need to see that there are no small chores, just seemingly small ones.
We need to teach them that everything we do as part of the family is important. Everything we do as part of the family of God is also important. Picking up trash in the pews after a service may seem a little thing, but it has to be done. Being loyal to the small tasks prepares us for the larger tasks to come.
What “small” task are you complaining about today? Do you feel undervalued? How do you think Joshua felt just standing next to the tent? But he knew he was doing something important. He was protecting the people from trying to “sneak a peek” at God.
A Moment In Time 