Read Deuteronomy 34
The Death of Moses
34 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”
5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lordknew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land.12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Go Deeper
No one was like Moses. No one could do “all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do….and no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”
But he couldn’t cross into the Promised Land because of his failure to exactly follow God’s commands. In Numbers 20, the Israelites complained to Moses and Aaron because they didn’t have any water. God told Moses to command water from a rock in the presence of the Israelites, but Moses instead struck the rock with his staff. Because of his disobedience, God told Moses that he would not be allowed to enter the promised land with his people. Keep in mind, we also know from Exodus 17 that God had previously commanded Moses to strike a rock for water when the people were thirsty, so Moses was doing what God had instructed him to do on a different occasion.
The punishment seems a little harsh when we consider all that Moses had done and the eulogy that he earned at the end of his life. So, why was God so upset with Moses’s misstep? The answer seems to be found in the recounting of this same story in Numbers 20.
While on the top of the mountain, God told Moses to gather the people and “tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water.” He wanted Moses to use his words only. However, Moses assembled the Israelites and with Aaron said to them “…shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” and then struck the rock twice. Moses made it about himself–he didn’t rely on God’s power. Instead, he asked the people if “we” should bring forth the water. In Exodus, Moses pointed the people to God. In Numbers, he tried to control the situation himself.
Encouragingly, however, we see the loving and merciful nature of God abound despite the discipline He gives Moses. First, Numbers 20:11 tells us that when Moses struck the rock, “water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank…” Despite Moses’s disobedience, God loved His people enough to supply their needs anyway. Second, despite Moses’s disobedience, God loved him enough to forgive him and eternally preserve his legacy as the only prophet whom the Lord knew face to face and worthy of the tribute in the final verses of Deuteronomy 34.
Today’s reading shows us that God’s plans are not thwarted by our disobedience, even if we might have to suffer the consequences of our actions. He will always provide. It also shows us that God’s love for us is not stifled by our sin. He will always forgive us and desire to know us face to face for eternity.
Questions
- Can you think of a time where you don’t feel like you obeyed God exactly as He directed you?
- Take a moment and contemplate how gracious God is for not allowing our missteps to affect His love or provision for us.
- Is there anything you need to do today in response to this reading? If so, tell someone and ask them to hold you accountable to following through with that prompting.
Keep Digging
If authorship of Deuteronomy is commonly attributed to Moses and Moses died in the final chapter, then who wrote Deuteronomy 34? Check out this article from The Gospel Coalition about the possible author of this final chapter.
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5 thoughts on “Deuteronomy 34”
Choices=consequences
Sometimes that is a hard pill to swallow. I am sure we have all had a consequence to an action that we regret greatly. God says what He means and means what He says. Moses prayed earnestly it says in Deut.3:23-26 that the Lord would change His mind. Moses failed to glorify God and he had a consequence. God’s grace forgives our sins but God’s rules that is been set before time, allows our sins to work out the consequences.
Moses was faithful. He walked humbly with God. He often asked God to let someone else take over but instead he remained steadfast. Moses cared about the people he had been put in charge of. God offered a couple of times to wipe the slate clean and let Moses start over and Moses said No, he was a shepherd willing to lay down his life for his sheep.
The other beautiful attribute I see in Moses that I want more to do, is prayer. He was a mighty prayer warrior.
Remember
Remember the Lord “the Word of God is given so that we might better know the God of the Word” Warren Wiersbe.
Remember that you were slaves Passover Love one another
Remember how God led you The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot keep us
Remember Mount Sinai God demostrated His great power and glory, fear of the Lord became reverence of the heart
Remember how you provoked God He threatened to destroy all the people because they simply didnt trust God
Remember your enemies We are in a spiritual battle to our last breath, we never outgrow temptations
Remember what the Lord did to Miriam bad memories, bad attitudes or actions cause unfaithfulness to God, pride,envy
BUT GOD!!!!!!!
Thank You God for Your Word. Thank You for shema ears to hear and obey. God thank YOu for understanding and enlightenment of Your Word to know Your heart God. I am beyond blessed. God in these minutes of this day continue to help me remember You in all I say and do that it be glorifing to You. Let my work honor You, make actions make You proud, my words be truth with Your joy and peace intermingled within. God I just lift this up coming weekend to You. God BESO is about to happen, woohoo! God proctect and guard all who are coming from all over this world. God open their hearts to hear (shema) about You. God direct the speakers, the people setting up/tearing down, and the people serving to minister,. God bless all the hands involved with this weekend. God there are amazing stories in this group and great leadership raising. God thank You for details that glorify, honor and bless You name. God thank You for today, these minutes and being in a state of prayer continuly in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10 “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses . . .”
Yes, it is quite saddening that Moses did not get to enter the holy land, but that is an amazing accolade he received!
I too was saddened for Moses’s sake that he did not enter the promised land. Then I remembered the transfiguration story in Matthew 17 and realized Moses did in fact make it to the promised land as he was with Elijah and Jesus on the mountain top.
The mere fact Moses was with Jesus 1400 years after his death, indicates he also made it to the ultimate “Promised Land” that is promised to us as believers in Christ. Thank you Lord for your eternal promises.
What an amazing connection, John!
In God’s economy, disobedience brings discipline. As a faithful Father who loves immensely, he does not treat sin lightly or look the other way. He desires the sting of the consequence to draw us back to him and the path of righteousness. May we always turn toward the Father in times of his rebuke, letting his perfect work be done in our hearts, so that we honor him in word and deed.