Midrasch zu Jehoschua 5:15

Another explanation of The wise shall inherit honor. This refers to Joshua, who inherited honor from Moses, our master, when the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee (Josh. 1:5). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Put off thy shoes from off thy feet (Exod. 3:5), and to Joshua He said: Put off thy shoe from off thy foot (Josh. 5:15). Concerning Moses it is written: Then sang Moses and the children of Israel (Exod. 15:1), and about Joshua it is said: Then spoke Joshua to the Lord, in the day when the Lord delivered (Josh. 10:12). Moses led them out of Egypt, while Joshua led them into the Holy Land. Moses slew Sihon and Og, while Joshua slew thirty-one kings. Moses halted the revolution of the sun in the war with Amalek, as it is said: And Moses lifted up his hand (Exod. 17:11). The word lifted up refers to his halting of the revolution of the sun, as it is said: The deep uttereth its voice, and lifteth up its voice on high (Hab. 3:10). Joshua did likewise, as is said: Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, moon, in the valley of Aijalon (Josh. 10:12). Moses erected an altar, as it is said: And Moses built an altar (Exod. 17:15), and Joshua did likewise: Then Joshua built an altar (Josh. 8:3). Moses wrote the law, as is said: And Moses wrote this law (Deut. 31:9), and Joshua did also, as it is said: And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God (Josh. 24:26). And so this was in every instance.

(Exod. 3:5:) AND HE SAID: DO NOT COME NEAR HERE. REMOVE YOUR SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET…. It is written with reference to Joshua (in Josh. 5:15): REMOVE YOUR SANDALS, and it is written with reference to Moses (in Exod. 3:5): REMOVE YOUR SANDALS.⁷¹Exod. R. 2:6 adds that, since one removes sandals in the Divine Presence, priests ministered barefooted in the Temple. See also PRE 40.

And he said: “Moses, Moses.” and he said: “Here am I” (Exod. 3:4). What is the meaning of Here am I? R. Joshua the son of Karha held: Here am I implies: “I am ready for priesthood and for kingship.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said: You stand in the place of one of the pillars of the world, (for) Abraham has said Here am I, and now you are saying Here am I. Draw not nigh hither (ibid., v. 5). The word hither alludes to kingship, as it is said: Whom am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hither? (II Sam. 7:18). Similarly it states: Is there yet a man come hither? (I Sam. 10:22). With reference to Joshua it is written: Put off thy shoe from off thy foot (Josh. 5:15), and it is also written concerning Moses: Put off thy shoes from off thy feet (Exod. 3:5). And He said: I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham (ibid., v. 6). He appeared to him through the voice of his father, Amram, lest he become frightened. Thereupon Moses rejoiced, exclaiming: “My father, Amram, still lives.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, I came to you enticingly so that you would not be terrified. Forthwith, Moses hid his face. Be assured, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, because you honored Me, I will cause you to be honored by all Israel. Hence, they were afraid to come nigh him (Exod. 34:30), for it is written of him: For he was afraid (ibid. 3:6). Because you did not wish to look—therefore the similitude of the Lord doth he behold (Num. 12:8). Because you hid your face, the children of Israel were afraid to look upon the face of Moses, for The skin of his face sent forth beams, and they were afraid to come nigh him (Exod. 34:30). And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come (ibid. 3:9). This teaches us that the Holy One, blessed be He witnessed their labors and their afflictions.