Numbers 27:21
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
The verse belongs to the appointment in which Joshua was divinely chosen to succeed Moses after his death and lead Israel into the promised land. Joshua had proved fit for the office by serving under Moses, knowing the people, giving a faithful report as one of the spies, and showing faithful service and courage. Joshua was given a share in governing Israel, and the congregation was to follow him, going out and coming in at his word and looking to his leadership.
His authority was to be exercised under God's direction: he was to stand before Eleazar the priest, who would seek counsel for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord, so that the going out and coming in of Israel depended on God's answer and direction. The people's movements were to be directed through the priest's counsel by Urim, and Israel was to go out and come in at the Lord's direction. The Urim answered on the stones of the priest's breastplate, with light on the stone at the right signifying God's approval, favor, permission and success, including permission to go to battle, and a cloud on the stone at the left signifying refusal, failure, and warning that they would not prosper.
When the high priest inquired before the ark, God could also answer audibly or indicate approval or refusal by light or cloud upon the cherubim. This arrangement differed from Moses' role, since Moses had been permitted to seek counsel directly from God, while Joshua and later rulers could approach the Lord only through the high priest. A claimed appointment to lead God's people requires divine instruction about that appointment.
The Moses-and-Joshua relationship is a model for experienced workers guiding younger workers in God's work, and those who refuse that guiding role may hinder the work instead of blessing it. The passage is also used to reject men's claims that they are appointed to assist in the work.