Death of Moses

Deuteronomy Chapter 34

Moses went to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. The Lord showed him the whole land from Gilead as far as Dan; all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho- the city of palms- as far as Zoar.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and I told them I would give it to their descendants. I have now allowed you to see it, but you will not enter the land."

So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. He was buried in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day, no one knows the exact place. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear and he was as strong as ever. The people of Israel mourned thirty days for Moses on the plains of Moab, until the customary period of mourning was over.

Now Joshua, son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed Joshua and did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

There has never been another prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent Moses to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against the Pharaoh, all his servants, and his entire land. And it was through Moses that the Lord demonstrated his mighty power and terrifying acts in the sight of Israel.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Moses was called Israel's greatest prophet. Yet this great man was not allowed to enter the promised land because he disobeyed God (Numbers 20:12). Moses was a humble man who did not want to be sent to Egypt because he was not a "good speaker", yet he delivered the three addresses to Israel that make up the book of Deuteronomy. God gave him the power to go from stuttering shepherd to national leader and powerful orator. His courage, humility and wisdom molded the Hebrew slaves into a nation. His love, respect and awe for God grew daily throughout his life. He knew it was not greatness in himself that made him successful; it was greatness of the all-powerful God in whom he trusted. It would be more than a thousand years before one greater than Moses would appear - Jesus.

It should be noted that in not letting Moses into the Promised Land, God did not reject Moses. Moses disqualified himself. Over the years an amazing thing happened to Moses' character. He didn't stop reacting, but rather learned to react correctly. Much of the time he served as a buffer between God and the people; responding to God's anger at the people's stubborness and forgetfulness. God did not change who Moses was, instead he took Moses' characteristics and molded them until they were suited to God's purposes.

How does this chapter relate to us today? I am sure that my readers are just as sad as I am, to see Moses' life come to an end. I think the word "servant" to God is the title Moses would want, rather than great "prophet", because he never forgot who was in charge.
Often, no matter how good we are, we disobey God, and we are disciplined even today. We must not turn away from God's discipline, but do as Moses would do - embrace it, learn from it and turn toward God with love. Let God mold your responses, the way he molded those of Moses.

Next, we turn to the book of Joshua. How will Joshua stack up when compared to the great Moses. And how difficult it must have been to follow such a great prophet. But even though his style was probably different, Joshua is every bit as committed to God as Moses.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

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