The story goes that Moses, knowing his time was drawing near, faced a weighty decision. God commanded him to wage war against the Midianites. But Moses, ever the insightful leader, realized something profound. He knew that if he went to war, people might say he was seeking his own death. Why? Because, as the story is told, his life was now linked to the completion of this mission. As long as he delayed punishing the Midianites, his life would supposedly be prolonged.
Now, here's the kicker: this realization didn't deter Moses one bit! Even though he understood that going to war would likely hasten his death, he obeyed God's command without hesitation. According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, whenever fulfilling a divine command or advancing Israel's cause was at stake, Moses disregarded his own well-being, even if it meant risking his life. Think about that for a moment. Such selflessness!
But what about Joshua? His story takes a different turn. When he entered Canaan, he saw things differently. He thought, "If I wage constant war on the Canaanites, I'll die as soon as I conquer them, just like Moses died after conquering Midian." So, he consciously slowed down the conquest of the Holy Land, hoping to extend his life.
It's a very human reaction, isn't it? The desire for longevity, for more time. But here's where the story gets really interesting. As Proverbs 19:21 tells us, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." Or, as some translations put it, "however many thoughts there may be in man's heart, God's word prevails."
Despite Joshua’s careful planning and desire to live a long life, he died ten years before he would have otherwise. The tradition says that he could have lived as long as Moses, to the age of 120. But instead, he died at 110.
What does this all mean? Well, perhaps it's a reminder that while we can make plans and try to control our destinies, there are forces beyond our understanding at play. Maybe it's about the importance of intention, about prioritizing divine will over personal desires. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a cautionary tale about trying to outsmart fate.
In the end, the stories of Moses and Joshua invite us to reflect on our own choices, our own motivations, and the delicate balance between free will and divine purpose. They remind us that life is a complex tapestry woven with our intentions and something far greater than ourselves.