Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery in search of the land promised them by God, handed over the leadership of his people to Joshua when he knew he was about to die. While doing so, he assured all the people assembled there that this was God's will, that God Himself would be with them, destroying all who obstructed them. "The Lord God is going with you, He will not fail you or desert you." (Deut:31:6). He repeats this to Joshua directly. This smooth transition of power took place because, as always, Moses' concern was to do the will of God for the good of the people. "Have no fear," he said, a statement of complete trust in God.

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus, in teaching the disciples, speaks similarly of confidently depending on God in their leadership role. He uses the example firstly of a child, and then of a sheep gone astray. Children, in Jesus' day, had no rights at all and were completely vulnerable and totally dependent on others.

The disciples with total confidence in God, can bring the helpless child and the straying sheep, i.e. those who have yet to learn of the love and forgiveness of God, back into the kingdom of God.