2 Generations: Fathers and Sons to Maturity

A sermon which illustrates generational leadership transition from Moses to Joshua, showing how God’s covenantal promise continued through chosen successors. It emphasizes father son dynamics in spiritual leadership, where fathers model faith, humility, and intimacy with God while sons learn through loyalty, trust, and service. Ultimately, the goal is to raise mature leaders who carry forward God’s vision and covenant across generations.

Introduction and Context

Gods promise & covenant to Abraham – Gen 12, 15

1. God calls Abraham and promises to make Him a great nation and a great name and that he would be a blessing. God says ‘ I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Promise of salvation)”

2. Abraham obeys and moves from Haran going to Canaan. God appeared and promised Abraham (who is childless here) at Shechem with offspring and land of Canaan forever (Gen 12:6-7).

3. God makes a covenant with Abraham. Gen 15:13-21: God reconfirms His covenant to Abraham saying, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. V18: To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

Gods covenant with Abraham was more than just promised salvation. It was about dominion; putting man created in the image and likeness of God, back on the mountain of God (Eden) i.e., dominion restored. Dominion that was lost in Adam is now restored through Abraham/Israel-Jesus Christ- new heavens and new earth.

The covenant of God is not just about salvation but healing, renewal, and restoration of people, land, and nations. Main thrust of God’s covenant with Abraham was to give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan, in which the saviour (Yeshua) would eventually be born. God called Moses to deliver His people out of slavery in Egypt. This was the necessary first step to giving them the Promised Land. Moses (meaning drawn out from water) was successful in leading the people out of Egypt, but because of his own disobedience was unable to enter the Promised Land (Deut 32:48–52). But God’s promise to Abraham was in no way altered by the death of Moses. It carried on through His successor Joshua (meaning Yah Is Salvation) who was commissioned by the Lord Himself and led the Israelites into the promised land.

Moses and Joshua were of different generations yet they worked together across ‘generational gaps and mindsets’ and were successful leaders God affirmed and blessed to led His covenant people into their destiny. They shared the same vision and the same God and were on one mind.

As we step into seasons of ‘new’ what are some gems we the Huios (mature sons and daughters) can glean and learn as leaders at homes, schools, marketplace as we lead families, cities, states and nations into their true God given identity?

Fathers and sons are warriors who battle together with God against Gods enemies. (Ex 17)

The first mention of Joshua is in Ex 17:8–16 where Joshua is selected by Moses to lead the Israelite army into battle against the Amalekites(grandson of Esau at Rephidim. This was an unprovoked attack by the Amalekites against Israel – they attacked the rear ranks. (Deut 25:17-19 - Remember what Amalek did to you… how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God.”). This was a significant first experience of warfare for Israel who had lived for hundreds of years as slaves, and God had just delivered them from slavery and the Egyptians. Now they had to learn to rely on God as they fought a military battle. In response, Moses called Joshua to lead the armies of Israel into battle in the valley, to defend the nation against the attack from Amalek. He believed him capable of leading. A father believes in the son and can assign important tasks to a son. Same VISION.

Moses stood on the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand supported by Aaron and Hur, while Joshua would lead the Israelite army and go and fight with Amalekites. Whenever Moses held up his hand (continuous prayer and intercession), Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. Outcome – Moses lifted hands towards the God of Israel who steadied his hands and Joshua overwhelmed Amalekites with the sword. Praying Moses did not eliminate what Joshua had to do. The battle was won with prayer, but also through normal instruments, the work of the army, led by Joshua. (Spurgeon)

‘Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner; and he said, “The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation”’ (Ex 17:14-16). As an act of worship Moses built an altar and praised the name of Yahweh-Nissi (THE-LORD-IS-MY-BANNER). Fathers and sons are warrior partners fighting together in unity depending on God as their Banner for supernatural victory.

Moses recognised Joshua’s innate leadership. God was preparing Joshua as a warrior and leader. God recognised Joshua as a leader and instructed Moses to take time out and personally deliver to Joshua what He had said and record this a memorial in a book that the Lord swore an oath to war against Amalek in every generation. God told Moses to recount His present and future acts to Joshua. The battle foreshadowed what God would do in the future under Joshua’s leadership.

Every generation will have its battles. Fathers and sons are being awakened to engage in spiritual battles that will recapture everything that was stolen by the enemy both in the church and in culture. A father lets the son fight, but covers him spiritually. Shared Battles Create Shared Identity.

Fathers train Sons to have a ‘servants’ heart and model humility as servants of God.

When you think of Moses and Joshua what are some words that come to mind?

Ex 14:31 - Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. Joshua had a call, and yet he was Moses’ servant: ‘So Moses arose with Joshua, the son of Nun his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God’ (Ex 24:13). This suggests an ongoing, persistent, durative relationship where Joshua served, cared for, ministered to, and aided Moses in any way possible an example of how Sons we are called to honour Fathers. Sonship often begins in service, not position.

Fathers demonstrate that being a servant of God is not doing things in one’s own strength but in knowing one’s identity and being of gentle and humble heart. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).

Fathers pour into the lives of their sons and model intimacy with the Lord. (Ex 24:12-13; 32, 33 )

Ex 24:13- So, Moses arose with Joshua his attendant/servant, and he went up to the mountain of God. Moses brought Joshua up the Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God. Where Moses went, Joshua went, they travelled together but only Moses went up to the top to meet with God and experienced the glory and brilliance of the Lord. To others God’s glory appeared as a consuming fire.

Joshua travelled with Moses as his servant, communed with him, talked with him, and even approached God with him, at least, to a degree. Joshua accompanied Moses for a distance and there waited six days when Moses was called higher to a personal and private experience with God, which lasted 40 days and 40 nights. Joshua observed Moses’ righteous indignation when Moses smashed the two tablets (Ex. 32:17-19).

God is inviting everyone to come to the mountain top, to come into the fiery smoke, and to meet Him face to face. It is an awesome thing to look into God’s eyes and be cheek to cheek with Him.

Sonship is formed by observation more than explanation. Prophetic word. (Ex 33:7-11).

7 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.

8 Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent.

9 When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord[a] would speak with Moses.

10 And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.

11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

It is very important to see whom you spend time with. Joshua guarded the tent of meeting, where Moses met face to face with God. He was exposed to God’s direct dealings with Moses, enhancing his spiritual development and intimacy with the Lord. Lord would speak to Moses face to face. That’s up close and personal. How close do you want to be with God? Neither Moses nor Joshua had any trouble with God the Father being close and in their faces. They loved the presence of God!

Joshua would frequently remain in that holy place in God’s presence even after Moses left, and that will be a characteristic of the sons of God as they mature to Huios. When some people give up, when they have had enough, the Huios will press in for more. They just stay right there saying “We are not going to be satisfied until we see your face O God, until we worship you in the beauty of your Holiness, until we radiate your glory”. The tent of meeting will not be an event but a lifestyle.

Through all these critical moments in the life of God’s people, Joshua was there with Moses. Moses helped ensure the following generation would love and fear God. He served his people by pouring his life into another and this is what fathers do. Fathers stand as a covering for the sons and sons also grow in zeal for their ‘fathers’ and one like-minded. They give each other the permission to correct each other (in love) and admonish in the ways of the Lord knowing the God they serve is above all.

Fathers build the sons and sons trust the Father’s vision. Sonship is tested by Loyalty Under Crisis

God tells Moses to send 12 spies (1 chief per tribe) one being Joshua as a forerunner to enter the promised land (Num 13:8) where the sons of Anak / ‘giants’ lived. Out of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb return with a good report. While most of the people questioned the command of God to conquer the land of Canaan, Joshua and Caleb stood out as the only ones who said that God was well able to conquer the giants and give them the land. They were men of great faith, courage, strength seeing themselves as victorious in the Lord while the others saw themselves as grasshoppers. They tore their clothing at the bad report given by the other 10 and urge the Israelites not to rebel in disobedience against the Lord (Num 14:6-9). Because of their faith in the Lord only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num 14:38). Before Joshua was sent to search out Canaan, his name was Hoshea, Hebrew for salvation. After his demonstration of faith and passion, Moses gave Hoshea a new name. He called him Joshua, the Hebrew word for “YAHWEH is my salvation.”

All believers will be tested regarding their faith in God. God is calling believers in this present time to stop circling the mountain with mere talk and aimless activity and to begin stepping into the land of their promise. Mix faith with your promises – He who has promised is faithful.

Fathers intercede for their sons and others. Sons intercede for fathers.

We see Moses interceding for the people with the Lord to pardon the iniquity of this people and later on Joshua (when Israel was defeated at AI, he tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel) thought that if God killed His people, God’s reputation was at risk among the surrounding nations. They appealed to God that His great name was in jeopardy (Num 14:13-18; Josh 7:7-9)

Father knows his limitations and need to share authority in transition. He knows it is God’s work and God will finish it with those whom He has chosen. (Num 27:15-23)

A father realises the temporary nature of leadership and the necessity of succession. When Moses realised he would need a successor, he asked God to provide one. God directed him to Joshua, whom God had already prepared for the task. It is important to note that Moses did not choose his own successor, nor was he chosen by popular vote. Rather, God’s choice of Joshua was revealed in Joshua’s ordination.

PASSING ON: Moses Imparts Authority Publicly, Not Secretly. God called Moses to commission Joshua to take the leadership position amid the congregation (Num 27:15-23). God had placed His Spirit in Joshua, which shows God’s choice and God’s provision for leadership. Moses had Joshua stand before the priest Eleazar and commissioned Joshua before all the people. Moses laid his hands on him and conferred some of his own authority – spirit of leadership and of wisdom (Deut 34:9) on Joshua. After this happened, no one could doubt that Joshua was the man appointed to lead Israel after the passing of Moses.

Joshua Leads Differently, Not Identically, Carries the same spirit: Joshua began leading the people so that they would obey him as their transformational leader. Moses encouraged and strengthened Joshua, following God’s command to make Joshua the next leader of the people of Israel. Moses implored Joshua to maintain strength, courage, and composure in crisis (Deut. 31:7). A father knows when to step back and let the son emerge forth and become a father to his own sons.

An amazing truth is engraved on Joshua’s mind at this point: God’s workers die but God’s work never dies. And Joshua is now the delegated man, the God-picked man, to now shepherd, lead, guide, and fight for the people of Israel.

A son does all that the Father has entrusted to him in his presence and even after the father is gone.

Even when Moses was not around, God was with Joshua and commissioned him with strength and courage to conquer Canaan the promised land and divide the land as an inheritance to Israel. The Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, ‘as I was with Moses, so I will be with you and never leave nor forsake you. ‘ (Josh 1 – God commissions Joshua)

Joshua did not compromise but followed the voice of God with courage and strength holding on to His promises and following the book of the Law of Moses - started at the battle at Rephidim has all instructions for Joshua and future generations to thrive and reign (Josh 1:8), successfully leading a different generation to inhabit the Promised Land. Here we see God as covenant keeping faithful God keeping His promise to God promised this land to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob (Israel).

Moses trained Joshua not just to lead in the desert, but also to lead in his generation, with a new assignment. Moses was so effective that Joshua was able to continue under “Moses’ leadership” long after Moses had died (Joshua 8:35). Joshua renewed the covenant at Shechem and built an altar to the Lord of uncut stones upon which no man has wielded an iron tool on Mount Ebal and offered on it burnt, sacrificial peace offerings to the Lord thus fulfilling everything was that was written in the book of the law of Moses (Josh 8:30 - 35, Deut 27)

A lengthy discipling relationship between Moses and Joshua proved itself invaluable as at a later point in Joshua’s life as, being an older man, he could say: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh 24:15). What he saw from Moses, his mentor, Joshua implemented in his own heart, mind, words, and life. He led with courage. He led with the Word. And he followed God. He made a covenant with the people of Israel at Shechem and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem (Josh 24:25) and wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God as a witness to future generations.

Applications

What is seen in the legacy of Moses and Joshua is also seen in Paul and Timothy and Jesus with his disciples and very relevant to us today. God’s heart is always for fathers and sons to join together and serve together leading many sons back to their true identity and first love – communion with “God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” and extend His dominion and Kingdom on earth.

Phil 2:20-22 : 20 For I have no one like him [no one of so kindred a spirit] who will be so genuinely interested in your welfare and devoted to your interests. 21 For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 22 But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel).

• Be selective of whom you look to as a father or as a son. A tree will known by its fruits. Let God tell you and confirm and check what others report about them. Moses heard clearly from God before setting Joshua aside for leadership discipling (Num 27:23).

• Sonship is measured by internal alignment, not proximity. Someone who shares the same vision, ‘one like-minded, ’ and in whom is the fear of God.

• Sons subordinate personal ambition to the father’s mission. Shared burden, future, reputation

• Father & Son relationships are an investment that will expand through lifetime and span generations. It requires toiling (Joshua fighting while Moses prays), being available even when inconvenient and comes with responsibilities. When tested they will come out worthy and polished. A son is trusted with difficult assignments, delegated authority.

  
  

What is the state of the church today? 1 Cor 4:15 - We have countless guides/teachers in Christ, not many fathers. For I (Paul) became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Teachers inform, Leaders direct but fathers form identity and lead sons to maturity - Huios. For fathers there is a great reward and commitment to lead the sons toward maturing in Christ and walk hand in hand with them. The reward is not visibility. The reward is multiplication and continuity of God given vision, promise and covenant.

Fathering Is Intentional, Not Accidental. Moses never entered the Promised Land. But his joy was this: The mission did not die with him. Joshua stood where Moses could not. Led where Moses had prepared him to lead with the same God and fulfilled what Moses has started.

A son does not ask, “What can I gain from this mission?” A son asks, “What must be carried forward when my father is gone?”

Will you invest in others who will ensure the following generations know of the Lord and his gracious works? It Is a call not to build followers. But to raise sons and daughters into maturity in Christ even when they are not present.

Summary (focus on leadership from Moses & Joshua)

• God is in charge of succession. He always has been. God knew when Moses had completed his task. God also realised that a new leader was required for the next stage, which was entering and taking the Promised Land.

• Sons learn by observing. Both Joshua and Moses had a relationship with God first and relation with each other. God Moses, God Joshua, Moses Joshua. Just like a Father has a relationship with the son, so also the Father has a relationship with God and needs to model the son in a similar if not closer relationship with God – it like a triangle. (Father → God → SON)

• Believers must rely on God’s guidance to discern in whom He has placed His Spirit and vision. The wise leader (father) realises that one day he/she will step down from leadership and passes off leadership when it is time, even before he/she is forced to do it. Sons are developed and mentored well before the transition takes place.

• God told Moses to share some of his authority with Joshua so that the people would begin to obey Joshua (Num 27:20). It takes a father to share authority and allow his sons to step up and lead.

• Joshua did not inherit Moses’ role. He inherited Moses’ relationship with God.

Additional References:-

Huios	speaks of maturity, responsibility, and authority
Amalek	Wrung Off People, or the People That Wring.
Eleazar	God Has Helped, Whom God Helps

Background

Kainos Church India, Bengaluru led by Ps. Manoj and Lincy Iype is a gathering open to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church is ideally located for believers in the Koramangala, HSR Layout, Agara, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur areas of Bengaluru and our Church Service in English starts at 10am on Sundays.

These notes are from the Sunday Sermon held on 8th February 2026