Read Numbers 26-27.
The book is called Numbers because twice God instructed Israel to conduct a national census. The counting was limited to those twenty years of age and older who were able to go to war. In 1:46 the total was 603,550. Now, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, only Joshua and Caleb (and of course, Moses) remain from the first generation of former slaves. The new total was 601,730. It is estimated that the entire population would have been, at least, five times that amount.
With a new generation ready to enter their land of promise, it was time for a new leader. Moses, because of his public sin in chapter 20, knew he would not be allowed go with them. But God did a gracious thing for Moses in letting him see the land from a mountain top. It was here that Moses prayed for a successor to shepherd the people.
The LORD selected Joshua, "a man in whom is the Spirit". Joshua had been Moses' assistant for a long time. He served as the army's field general. Along with Caleb, he had been one of the two faithful men who originally spied out the new land. But when God referred to Joshua, he cited none of his positions or achievements. He simply called him a Spirit-filled man.
Being filled with the Spirit means that a person surrenders control of thoughts, speech and behaviors to the LORD and disciplines themselves to do what He desires (Galatians 5:16-24). Education, skill, personality, and experience are all important components of job qualifications. But when God's Spirit is in control of a person, He can give them favor with others, open doors, and enable their influence to exceed all expectations. He does this in a person's life so He alone will receive the credit.
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