When Did Moshe Pass the Mantle of Leadership to Yehoshua?

The commandement for Moshe to ascend Mt. Avarim and to die there appears in parshat Pinchas. However, quite a few months and events transpire between Parashat Pinchas and the parashot of Ha'azinu and Ve-Zot Ha-Berakha, where Moshe is commanded once again to ascend Mt. Avarim to die, and he does so. It is therefore impossible that at this very early stage, with many very important tasks still awaiting Moshe, he would be told that his time has come to die, before completing his life's mission. What, then, is the point of the verses? The article explores various exegetical approaches, and suggests that this commandment is referring to the future, and is mentioned here within the context of Yehoshua's appointment.