And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
The Lord said unto Moses ... call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
Joshua had been publicly designated to the office of commander by Moses, who doubtless exerted all his influence to obtain for his successor a proper reception. But with the view of securing the continued respect and submission of so fickle and perverse a people, it was expedient that a higher sanction should be given to the authority, of which the Shechinah was the symbol and pledge. It never appeared in the second temple; and its non-appearance was a prelude of all the evils that came upon them, because their God was not among them.