14. Remember when the people became angry at the water in the desert of Zin. Both you and Aaron refused to obey my command. You did not honor me and show the people that I am holy.” (This was at the water of Meribah near Kadesh in the desert of Zin.)
15. Moses said to the Lord,
16. “Lord, you are the God who knows what people are thinking. I pray that you will choose a leader for these people.
17. I pray that you will choose a leader who will lead them out of this land and bring them into the new land. Then your people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18. So the Lord said to Moses, “Joshua son of Nun is very wise. You will place your hand on him and make him the new leader.
19. Tell him to stand before Eleazar the priest and all the people. Then make him the new leader.
20. “Show the people that you are making him leader, then all the people will obey him.
21. If Joshua needs to make a decision, he will go to Eleazar the priest. Eleazar will use the Urim to learn the Lord’S answer. Then Joshua and all the Israelites will do the things God says. If he says, ‘go to war,’ they will go to war. And if he says, ‘go home,’ they will go home.”
22. Moses obeyed the Lord. Moses told Joshua to stand before Eleazar the priest and all the Israelites.
23. Then Moses put his hands on him to show that he was the new leader. He did this just as the Lord told him to.