Today's study comes from Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 and is entitled, "The Death of Moses." Obviously, this part of Scripture was not written by Moses, perhaps it was added by Joshua, Eleazer, or Samuel. In the previous chapter, we read Moses' dying words. Here, we have an account of his dying work. Some scholars believe that this last chapter of Deuteronomy may have been the first chapter of the book of Joshua. The Hebrew writings were written on scrolls and this would have been a natural transition into the book of Joshua.
The first section is: "The View of the Land." vv. 1-4 In verse 2, we learn that Moses "went up" Mount Nebo which is east of Jericho. The summit of Pisgah is slightly to the west. The lofty vantage point allows Moses to look northward to the Sea of Galilee (the area allotment to Dan and Naphtali), to the Mediterranean Sea, south to the Negeb desert and along to the Jordan Rift Valley as far south as Zoar.
Moses and Aaron had failed to honor God at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20: 8-13). As a result, they were not allowed to bring the children of Israel into the Promised Land. We should stop and reflect at this point how seriously God feels about sin. Moses had been faithful in so much, and had been given so much, that his willful act had serious consequences. We must never over look or "wink" at sin. It will have disasterous effects. Yet, it must have been both exciting and gratifying for Moses to view the beautiful land that the Israelites were to possess. For forty years, Moses had endured hardships, misunderstandings, and disappointments; he had endured and persevered. However, it must have been "bittersweet" as he was not allowed to "go over thither." Matthew Henry said, "Sometimes God reserves the righteous discoveries of His grace to His people to be the support of their dying moments." John Wesley's final words were, "Best of all, God is with us." May this be our dying declaration.
The second section is "The Death of the Man." vv. 5-9 Moses is referred to as "the servant of the Lord." He was 120 years old when he died. He had spent 40 years in Pharaoh's court, 40 years in the desert of Midian, and 40 years as Israel's commander. Even though he was old, "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Historical and Biblical records indicate that Moses was the only man to be buried by the hand of the Lord. No doubt this was done to prevent a monument being created that could easily turned into a place of idol worship. "the children of Israel wept for Moses." The normal period of mourning was 7 days, but for Moses it lasted 30 days. It is important that when we experience the loss of a leader, that we know that God has another in place to serve as God's man to be in charge. We are not to be in perpetual grief. God already had another leader for Israel. Moses had "laid his hands upon him (Joshua)" Moses was gone but God had a man to continue to lead the people. In the Christian life, there will be times of transition. When that happens, know that God is caught by surprise. However, know that the transition can be a bit offering. While Moses was a prophet, Joshua was more of a civil leader and military commander. He was like Moses in that he received his direction from God in the administration of the people. As believers, we should never fear transition, but trust in the Providence of God to see us through.
The third section is "The Tribute to His Life." vv. 10-12 Moses was a faithful servant of God. He was used to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, received the law directly from God, and brought the children to the brink of the Promised Land. Moses was the founder and mediator of the Old Covenant. As wonderful as these events were, they do not compare with the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not God's servant, He was His Son. Moses mediated the Old Covenant, Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Moses brought the people to the Promised Land, but it was Jesus that brings us into the Promised Land through His shed blood. The Law brings men into the wilderness of conviction, but not into the Canaan of rest and settled peace. There is a rest for the people of God and that rest is full salvation from sin (both the acts of sin and the sin nature).
The Golden Text is: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17) As necessary as the Law is to bring people to conviction, the grace that leads to salvation comes through Jesus Christ. The Law brings death. Grace brings life. Is there any wonder that the New Covenant is referred to as a "better covenant?" Christ has brought grace which opposes condemnation and He brings "life and life more abundantly."
My summary points:
1. It is good to view the promised rest God provides, but much better to enter into that rest.
2. We will all die and face judgment. We must be ready.
3. The Law brings conviction, but grace brings life.
Next week we begin a new quarter of study on the book of Matthew! (Matthew 28: 1-10) "He is Risen!"
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