I’d like to walk you through a few Biblical examples of spiritual fathering and sonship. We will begin with a few Old Testament models and then move into the New Testament:
Spiritual Fatherhood promotes a progeny of blessing and impartation.
Moses and Joshua- In Deuteronomy 34:9, the Bible tells us that Joshua was full of the spirit. “for Moses had laid his hands upon him.” There was an impartation, a release of ability and gifts into the life of Joshua. It is noteworthy that we read in Joshua 1 the manner in which the Lord announced the death of Moses to Joshua. The Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”
We know from Deuteronomy that Moses imparted to Joshua, and that Joshua imparted back to Moses. Joshua served the physical, natural and spiritual needs of his father. It was a reciprocating bond. Because of the way he lived his life, Moses was introduced into the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. However, his true legacy was in the man Joshua. Our true greatness, legacy and purpose is not found in our lives, but in the lives of those to whom we impart. That’s why Scripture says repeatedly, “He’s the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” It recounts those 3 generations because many purposes and destinies cannot be fulfilled in one lifetime. We must impart to the next generation, and they, in turn, must impart to the generation after them.
