The Death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34: 1-12)

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Episode Title: The Death of Moses

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we explore the final chapter of Deuteronomy, where Moses climbs Mount Nebo and receives a vision of the Promised Land. Despite his longing, he is reminded that he will not enter it. We delve into the following key points:

1. The Vision from Mount Nebo:
   • Moses sees the expanse of the Promised Land, with God's help, seeing areas far beyond natural sight.
2. God’s Promise and Moses' Fate:
   • God reaffirms His promise to the patriarchs, while reminding Moses of his fate due to his previous disobedience.
3. Moses' Death and Burial:
   • Moses dies in Moab, and God buries him in an unknown grave to prevent idolatry. Despite his age, Moses remains vigorous until the end.
4. Joshua’s Leadership:
   • Joshua is filled with wisdom and seamlessly transitions into leadership, with the Israelites accepting him as Moses' successor.
5. Moses' Unique Relationship with God:
   • Moses' face-to-face relationship with God and his unmatched prophetic role are highlighted, along with the anticipation of a future prophet.
6. Conclusion and Reflection:
   • We reflect on the key messages from the Pentateuch, emphasizing faith, redemption, fellowship, obedience, and love. Moses' legacy as a servant of the Lord inspires us to leave a lasting impact on future generations.

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Transcript

The Death of Moses.  (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)

Transcript: 

1 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. 

(Deuteronomy 34: 1-3)

Here’s the setting: Moses stands on Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho, and the Lord shows him all the land as far as the eye can see. NSEW. 

God showed him all the land and also reminds him that this is the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Today we are going to talk about the nature of what Moses saw that day, and what eill be the scene of his death as well as the documentation of the handing on of the leadership baton to Joshua, and what all that meant for the children of Israel, and what it means for us today.

Welcome…. 

These opening verses, the first four. I read in the introduction you almost need a map to appreciate this: 

Moses is on Mount Nebo and is looking west toward the Mediterranean Sea. The area described here is enormous. Moses saw all the land they will conquer west of the Jordan. Another way to put it is that he saw a sweeping vision of all the land they were going to conquer.

However, when it says Moses saw "all the land," it qualifies it as the "land of Gilead," meaning not the entire area promised to the patriarchs, but all the land the Israelites were about to conquer.

What’s equally interesting is that Moses likely saw all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, stretching from Dan, which is far north, down to Zoar in the south. 

The distance from Dan to Beersheba is about 150 miles, and Zoar is in that southern area. Now, you can’t see that distance today from that position unless you’re in an airplane, that mountain doesn’t provide a view like that. So, it seems that God either raised him up to give him a grander view or gave him a vision that allowed him to see it all.

Then in verse 4, the Lord says.

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.”

(Deuteronomy 34: 4)

The first three verses said he saw the whole thing, at least east of the Jordan. Verse 4 clarifies that it’s the land God promised to the patriarchs, but it’s not all the land promised to them, it’s the portion they would conquer. This view Moses received wasn’t merely a natural sight but was something God enabled him to see.

The other key point here is that God adds, “But you shall not cross over there.” 

And this moment, as we know, is bittersweet: for Moses because he sees the Promised Land but he won’t enter it. 

It’s important to remember the Bible doesn’t paint its heroes as flawless saints. The Bible shows us the whole story, including their mistakes, and that’s what we see here.

Since the text brings it up, we should discuss briefly why Moses wasn’t allowed to enter the land. 

Many people know it’s because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, as he was instructed and that is true, I have said so myself. 

But if we look at Numbers 20:12, it tells us more it says, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’” 

So, the ultimate why Moses didn’t go in was because he didn’t believe the Lord, exemplified in the action of striking the rock instead of speaking to it.

This is a significant point. Many preachers use this story to emphasize obedience as the ultimate requirement for entering into God blessing. 

Obedience is important it is in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, and commands certainly exist in the New Testament to be obedient also.

But obedience isn’t the ultimate issue. The ultimate issue is faith: Do you believe the Lord? Disobedience is the symptom, but it flows from a lack of belief, and it’s that unbelief that ultimately led to Moses’ failure to honour God before the people.

Passages like Galatians 2:20 emphasizes living by faith, not merely by obedience.

The first issue is always whether you believe and have faith in the Lord. 

God in His grace forgives our sins, but God in the administration of His grace allows our sins to work out their sad consequences in our lives.” In this case, while God forgave Moses and continued to use him, but there were still consequences for his sin.

Verse 5 then tells us.

And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said

(Deuteronomy 34: 5)

Interestingly, after stating that Moses wouldn’t enter the Promised Land, he is still referred to as, “the servant of the Lord." Despite his mistakes, Moses is honoured as a servant of God. He died in faith, and his sin didn’t prevent him from serving the Lord.

Verse 6 continues.

He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is

This verse raises a couple of points. First, it tells us that Moses was buried in Moab, where the people were at the time. Second, it mentions that no one knows where his grave is to this day. This likely was to prevent people from turning his grave into a shrine.

Verse 7 continues.

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

(Deuteronomy 34: 7-8)

This verse emphasizes that Moses didn’t die of old age or physical weakness. He remained strong, alert, and sharp-minded until the day he died. God simply decided it was time for him to come home because his mission was complete.

So, Moses’ death wasn’t due to failing health but because his task was finished. God had used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 

The children of Israel are seen to weep for Moses for thirty days.

According to Genesis 50, the norm for mourning was seven days. So, this extended period was a way to honour Moses, showing the deep respect and reverence the people had for him. 

The next section, the final section of the whole book of Deuteronomy introduces Moses' successor:, Joshua.

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.

This short closing section is packed with interesting sights. When Moses laid hands on Joshua, he imparted the spirit of wisdom to him. This transfer of wisdom was significant, as it showed continuity in leadership. The people accepted Joshua as Moses' successor without issue, which is notable since transitions in leadership can often be difficult.

A change in leadership can be challenging. Sometimes, in churches where a pastor has served for a long time, the next pastor often faces difficulties, particularly if they have a different style. People may leave because they were attached to the previous pastor. 

It's worth noting that it says Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom. Notice that here, “spirit” is not capitalized, emphasizing the wisdom rather than the Holy Spirit. 

The subject of being filled with the Holy Spirit is complex and often misunderstood. 

Wisdom is frequently connected with the filling of the Spirit. In Isaiah 11:2, the Spirit is described as a Spirit of wisdom. In Acts 6, the seven men chosen to serve (often referred to as deacons) needed wisdom to fulfil their roles effectively. This connection between wisdom and the filling of the Spirit is significant and worth exploring further elsewhere, but that is not exactly what is going on here

Before it says, "Be filled with the Spirit," it says, "Walk in wisdom.

These day people can become a Bible scholar and know a lot about the Bible without believing any of what it says. These are often referred to as what are called theological liberals. I've attended teaching and lectures wherein their expositions of the passages were cleaver on one level, but they would also explain away the core message. 

Sometimes going so far as to claim certain passages were fabricated.

It's one thing to be full of knowledge about the Scripture; it's entirely different to have the wisdom of the Lord, which comes only through the Holy Spirit, and that is what is being described here.

But there's more to say. The text continues: 

10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew 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.

(Deuteronomy 34: 10-12)

This section reveres Moses, noting that no prophet has arisen in Israel like him, who had such an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Moses' face-to-face relationship with the Lord was unique. In Numbers 12, it is mentioned that while prophets receive visions or dreams, Moses spoke with the Lord face to face, a privilege few experienced.

Moses had an unparalleled relationship with the Lord, but furthermore no one has matched his prophetic stature since his time. 

This mention of the prophetic aspect of Moses is significant. Moses himself prophesied that a prophet would come, one whom the people would listen to, implying that the search for another prophet like Moses continued as Israels history continues.

The end of Deuteronomy, and thus the end of what we call the Pentateuch and the Torah, signifies that the Israelites were still waiting for this prophet. 

Furthermore the Old Testament also in the close of it final book of Malachi also says there is more to come.

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

(Malachi 4: 5-6) The last verses of the Old Testament 

The Book of Revelation, the final book of the bible however concludes with the declaration that nothing should be added to the Scripture. The implication is hugely important.

Deuteronomy ends with an anticipation for a prophet, the last book of the Old Testament does so also but Revelation declares the completion of the divine revelation has now occurred.

Moses died and was buried. He was then succeeded by Joshua, who was filled with the spirit of wisdom, and honoured by subsequent generations who acknowledged his unique prophetic role and tells the people to continue looking for another prophet like him.

This moment is significant for several reasons. First, we've reached the end of Deuteronomy. Second, we've completed the Pentateuch. We've journeyed through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy together, covering every passage in the Torah. This is a significant milestone.

In conclusion, the death of Moses, the succession of Joshua, and the anticipation of another prophet to come collectively point to the ongoing work of God among His people, culminating in the person and work of Christ. 

Having spent significant time in these five books together, over two years has prompted me to consider what we would understand if the Pentateuch were the only part of the Bible we had.

Starting with Genesis, the subject is beginnings. Yet, the focus is not solely on the creation of the earth or man, as those topics are covered briefly. The real subject is election: 

God choses Abraham, then Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing His sovereign selection. 

Genesis 15:6 highlights this foundational spiritual lesson: faith, as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

Exodus, often summarized as the book of redemption, details Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery. However, it extends beyond the initial deliverance to include their journey to Sinai and the giving of the law. 

The climax is the construction of the Tabernacle, signifying God’s presence among His people. Thus, Exodus teaches that God redeems people to give them His word and His presence.

Leviticus centres on fellowship with God. The offerings, often perceived as primarily dealing with sin, include numerous memorials and thanksgiving sacrifices, underscoring fellowship with God. Therefore, Leviticus illustrates how, having redeemed His people, God desires to dwell among them in fellowship.

Numbers recounts the Israelites' disobedience at Kadesh Barnea and their subsequent wilderness wanderings. It illustrates the discipline necessary for disobedience, contrasting the rebellious first generation with the obedient second generation. Thus, Numbers emphasizes the importance of obeying God to maintain fellowship with Him.

The finally, Deuteronomy, summarizing and expanding upon the law, focuses on love as the essence of the law. The core message, repeatedly highlighted throughout our study, is to love the Lord your God

So, what's the essence of the law what's the greatest law, “Love the Lord your God and love your neighbour as yourself “. That phrase quoted by Jesus himself comes out of Deuteronomy.

So we get saved by faith so that God can give you his word so you can have fellowship with him and all of this is meant to teach you what we God really wants is for us to love Him and love one another.

That is what Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are all trying to tell you.

So that is what was said at the funeral, so to speak, of Moses.

But let me in or conclude by asking what they are going to say about you at your funeral. Well, what did they say about Moses, they said he was a servant of God’s people. He was a servant, and Jesus would later tell us that the greatest among us is the one who is a servant.

Of all the finest thing they can say about you at your funeral is that you were servant.

I do not recall hardly anybody standing up and saying the greatest thing about this person as he was a servant. I've heard them talk about their accomplishments, but I do not recall anybody standing up and saying this man or woman was really a just a servant at heart. But that's the greatest thing they could say about anybody.

In the book of proverbs, we are told a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children and the book of Deuteronomy ends with the impact of Moses on generations after him.

So, how do you have an impact, by serving the Lord and by serving other people to the glory of that same Lord, in other words do it and credit Jesus and what he did as your reason and motivation, for doing it.