Almost Daily Devotional

Almost Daily Devotional

Reading

NLT Deuteronomy 34:1 Then Moses went to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho-- the city of palms-- as far as Zoar. 4 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." 5 So Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, just as the LORD had said. 6 He was buried in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. 8 The people of Israel mourned thirty days for Moses on the plains of Moab, until the customary period of mourning was over. 9 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 him and did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 There has never been another prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. 11 The LORD sent Moses to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and his entire land. 12 And it was through Moses that the LORD demonstrated his mighty power and terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.


Meditation

Moses was informed in advance of his upcoming death (Numbers 27:12, Deuteronomy 31:14, 16, and 32:49-50), thus giving him some time to reflect upon it. Why would God have to tell Moses on numerous occasions that he would die and not enter the Promised Land? Would not a single time have sufficed? It is very possible that Moses was having a hard time accepting this reality. He hoped against hope that perhaps God would relent and allow him to enter the land. He had sinned by striking the rock and claiming credit for giving water but he hoped perhaps the consequences of that action would be taken away (Num. 20:11). However this was not to be the case for teachers of the law are held to a stricter judgment.

Was Moses Afraid to Die? In Deuteronomy 3:24-25, Moses recalls a time when he said, "O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours! Let me cross over to see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and the Lebanon. It is hard to tell whether it was death or not reaching His life time goal of brining the people into the Promised Land that Moses feared. It seems most likely that it was not reaching the Promised Land and bringing the people into that land that was what caused the heartache in Moses rather than a fear of death itself.


When Moses is ready to obey God's instruction to ascend the mountain, he takes one last opportunity to speak to his community, the Israelites, offering a generous and stunning blessing upon them. Some of Moses' best leadership skills and characteristics reveal themselves as he offers a very faith filled, optimistic prayer.

"There is none like God, O Jeshurun," says Moses, "who rides through the heavens to your help, majestic through the skies (Deuteronomy 33:26)," and then, "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! (33:29)."

The desire of Moses to encourage the people is demonstrated by his calling them “Jeshurun” which most likely means “supremely happy. It is used four times in the Old Testament as a symbolical name for Israel in (32:15; 33:5,26; Isaiah 44:2) It is most probably derived from a root signifying "to be blessed." With the intensive termination Jeshurun would then denote Israel as supremely happy or prosperous, and to this signification the context in (32:15) points. Though most blessed, Israel sinned, yet the LORD did not forsake them. This is amazing grace.

How Much Could Moses See from the Mountain? "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah..., and the Lord showed him the whole land...: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain...as far as Zoar (34:1-3)." This is quite a view! This is not just a natural looking out that Moses has here but a divine vision of the Promised Land. Some have suggested that Moses did not just see the land but God showed him the whole future of Israel and the final fulfillment of every promise in the final Kingdom of God. This we cannot know. But what God did do was allow him to see what His heart so desired to claim. This was an act of kindness by God as He brought His servant home.

The Bible's Final Tribute to Moses is one that sees him as the greatest prophet of the Hebrew era. The proposal that God himself would take be concerned about Moses' burial is astounding The reason, then, that no one knows where Moses is buried is explained by the fact that God took care of it and didn't tell anyone. God was Moses pallbearer since He was Moses friend.

The Bible's final acknowledgment to Moses in Deuteronomy 34:10 is remarkable: "Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." What an epitaph! Moses, was by the grace of God a prophet, a lawgiver, a teacher, a philosopher, a general, a king, a sage, and most important a friend of God. Moses finished well. Not perfect but well.

Christological - NLT John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. Jesus was the prophet like himself that Moses prophesied would come in Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus is the second and greater Moses. He is the final and ultimate prophet, priest, and king.
Moral: Be aware that sin can cost you even when it is forgiven. There are consequences to sin that remain even when we have been pardoned and accepted by God.

Eternal: We now just see through a mirror dimly the wonderful promised land of the eternal kingdom of God. Like Moses, God has given us a vision of that paradise. But there is coming a day when we will fully experience and be allowed to enter into the glory of the full experience of God’s promises. What total joy that will bring to our hearts.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to finish well. Forgive me my acts of rebellion and pride. Allow me to leave a good legacy for my children and your Church. Amen

Action

If God told you the day of your death what changes would you make in your life? Are you living today in such a way that you believe that it will produce the life that you want reported at your funeral? List the things you would change. Begin developing a plan for each of these items that will bring about a healthier and more faithful lifestyle.