The Hospitality of Mentorship

 1Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2“I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ 3The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. 4And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:1-8)

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.  (Dt. 34:9). 

Thoughts: Part of hospitality is caring that others are equipped and cared for, nourished and grown in the right way.  Hospitality to the next generation involves mentoring them.  
      Exodus through Deuteronomy tells the story of Moses handing the reins of leadership over to Joshua.  Moses had been mentoring Joshua for many years.  God called Moses to commission Joshua to be the next leader and the spirit was on him.  Moses laid hands on him in a public ceremony to show that his spirit of leadership was transferred to him.   
Numbers 11:28 says that Joshua had been Moses' aid since his youth.  Joshua was one of the 12 spies who went into the promised land.  He and Caleb were the only ones who were brave enough to think they could conquer the land.  He was with Moses going up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, and heard the pagan sounds of the people when they made the golden calf.  He would go the Tent of meeting with Moses when Moses met with God- so he was prepared spiritually for leadership.  
     There are other instances of mentorship in the Bible- Deborah to Barak or Elijah to Elishah,  There were schools for the Levites, the prophets, and the gatekeepers and doorkeepers.  Of course, Jesus set the ultimate example by mentoring the disciples (the very word "disciple" means learner).  Paul said "The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who are able to teach others also."  (2 Tim. 2:2).  Lois and Eunice taught Timothy the faith, but Paul mentored him.  Even in the early church- post biblical we knew that John taught Ignatius and Polycarp.  Polycarp taught Irenaeus.  Discipleship depends on caring for the next teachers through mentoring.    
      Caring for the message of the gospel, and that the person(s) communicating it are trained properly is so important.  One pastor should help teach new pastors the skills of shepherding, preaching, teaching, administration, and evangelism. 

Prayer:  Lord, help me that I might help others.  Mentor me that I might mentor others in my time and way.