The Death of Moses

Deuteronomy 34:1–12
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After pronouncing his blessing upon all the tribes, Moses climbs Mt Nebo in obedience to the Lord’s command (v. 1) (Deut. 32:49). Although he could not enter the promised land because of his sin, God showed him all the land (vv. 2-4). The Lord told Moses this was what He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What a joy it must have been for him to look over the dream of a lifetime. Moses died in Moab “according to the word of the Lord” (v. 5). It states that God buried him in a valley (v. 6). This does not necessarily mean that he was brought down into the Jordan valley but possibly he was buried in a valley on the top of the mountain. He is the only man ever to be buried by the hand of God and to this day no one knows where his grave is. This was a good thing because if the people had known where he was buried, they probably would have built some big memorial and perhaps made it a place of idolatrous reverence.

Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was still good, and his body was strong (v. 7). He was so special that his last hours on this earth were spent in intimate fellowship with God and when he was gone the Israelites mourned for 30 days (v. 8). Moses had placed his hands on Joshua and had given him wisdom to become the leader, but he was not like Moses (v. 9). Moses was a unique man among all the prophets because of his intimacy with the Lord, his miraculous signs and wonders, and his mighty power and awesome deeds (vv. 10-12). Moses lived in the heights, and he died in the heights. He often met God on the mountain, saw His glory and experienced His grace. Moses lived in God’s will, and he died in God’s will. Finally, He lived with a forward vision, and he died with a forward vision as He viewed the Promised Land. The people so often wanted to go back to Egypt, but he challenged them to go forward to the inheritance that God has prepared for them.

Application

Lehman Strauss in his latter days would ask for prayer that he might finish well. Moses was a man who certainly finished well. As I get older that is certainly the prayer of my heart also.