Here he was, the leader who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, the one who stood face-to-face with God on Mount Sinai... and none of his sons were deemed fit to succeed him.

According to Sifrei Devarim, Rabbi Nathan tells us that Moses was deeply saddened by this. He yearned for one of his own to carry on his legacy. But God, in His infinite wisdom, had other plans.

And what were those plans? Well, God essentially said to Moses: "Are the sons of your brother Aaron not like your own sons?" In other words, lineage isn't everything. Merit and capability matter too. The one I appoint will still need to learn – even from Elazar.

The text uses a powerful analogy: a king who takes the kingdom from his own son – a son fit for royalty, mind you! – and gives it to his lover. "Though I gave you greatness," the king tells his lover, "go and stand at my son's door." Humbling, right?

In the same way, God tells Joshua, the chosen successor: "Go and stand at the door of the sons of Elazar." This is a direct reference to Numbers 27:21, where it's written, "And before Elazar the priest shall he [Joshua] stand." Even though Joshua was appointed to lead, he was still expected to learn from the priestly line of Aaron. No one is above learning, above seeking wisdom from others.

The text continues, and at that moment, Moses’ strength actually increased. It wasn't diminished by this decision; it was bolstered. Knowing God's plan was in motion, Moses strengthened Joshua before all of Israel. As Deuteronomy 31:7 says, "And Moses called to Joshua and said to him before the eyes of all of Israel: 'Be strong and firm!'"

But why? What was so important about this public display of support?

God then gives Moses further insight, almost a pep talk for dealing with the people he’s about to lead: "Behold, the people that I am giving you are still kids, still infants. Do not be censorious of what they do, for neither was their Master." In other words, have patience! Remember their history. After all, as Hosea 11:1 reminds us, "For Israel was a youth, and I loved him." They're young, still learning, still growing.

The passage even uses imagery from the Song of Songs 1:8: "And graze your kids by the dwellings of the shepherds." Take them into the shepherds' tents, nurture them, guide them. Another interpretation offered is based on the Hebrew phrase "beikvei hatzon" (בְּעִקְּבֵי הַצֹּאן), meaning "by the tracks of the flock" or, more literally, "by the heels of the flock." This suggests that the people were "trodden down by the heel" (ekev עֵקֶב), emphasizing their vulnerability and need for gentle leadership.

So, what does this all mean for us? Well, it's a powerful reminder that leadership isn't just about authority; it's about guidance, mentorship, and recognizing the potential in others, even when it's not immediately apparent. It's about understanding that even the most capable leaders still need to learn and that sometimes, the greatest strength comes from empowering those around us, even if they aren't who we initially expected. Maybe, just maybe, our own disappointment can lead to someone else's moment to shine.