Deuteronomy
chapter 34 is the final chapter in the book. The chapter contains
perhaps the single greatest example of the painful consequences of
rebelling against God. It begins, “Moses
climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah,
across from Jericho. From there the Lord showed him the whole land…
This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… I
have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross over
into it“.
Can you imagine the moment? The culmination of God’s second
promise to Abraham is at hand. God graciously allows Moses to view
the Promised Land, yet He will also keep the promise He made to
Moses: “Because
you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of
the Israelites, you will not bring the community into the Promised
Land”
(Num 20:12). I imagine this old man, whom the Bible calls “the
meekest man that ever lived”
(Num 12:3), understood the significance completely. I imagine he was
reflecting on his rebellion in misrepresenting God by striking the
rock a second time, rather than simply calling on the rock to pour
forth live-giving water. Remember, this was one of God’s most pure
pictures of salvation through Christ. Christ was beaten once for our
sins, thereafter; all that is required for believers, is to call on
Him to receive abundant life. This humble man most likely grieved
for the people that would miss the coming Messiah because of his
actions done in anger. Note, his grieving and feeling sorry do not
alter the consequences; the penalty for sin must be paid.
“And
Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had
said. He buried him in Moab… but to this day, no one knows where
his grave is. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyes
were not weak, nor his strength gone“.
God, knowing our tendency to deify people, would not let the
Israelites turn the body of Moses into an idol. Also, it is
interesting to note that in the book of Jude, we read, “The
archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil about the body of
Moses…“.
Remember, in Matthew 17:3, it is Moses and Elijah that appear with
Jesus at the transfiguration. Likewise, I believe Moses and Elijah
are the two witnesses discussed in Revelation 11:3-9. It seems that
Satan will stop at nothing to prevent the truth of salvation from
being spread. An important side note, Jude also tells us even the
archangel does not rely on his own efforts to fight Satan, but
declares, “The
Lord rebuke you“.
Deuteronomy
ends with the authority being passed on to Joshua. “Now
Joshua, son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses
had laid hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did
what the Lord had commanded Moses“.
God used Moses to teach us a lesson about God’s plan of salvation,
even in his failure. Our sin and rebellion must be judged as well,
because “The
wages of sin is death”
(Romans 6:23). On the cross, the sinless Son of God paid the debt
for your sin and mine. It is because of His sinless sacrifice that
we receive complete forgiveness and restoration with God. My sin and
rebellion was judged in the body of my Savior. My debt has been paid
completely. God kept His promise; the penalty for my sin has been
paid, and by His grace, I have inherited the righteousness of God.
Thus, Deuteronomy ends with God’s people looking ahead with hope
for something new and greater, assured of God’s faithfulness to
complete His promises. May you experience God’s unconditional love
in a new and personal way today.