Moses Gets a Sneak Preview [Deut. 34]

  1Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho And the LORD showed him all the land, ...

4Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."  5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day. 7Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated. 8So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end. 9Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.


Moses - what a guy.  When I read this passage about the end of his life I am inspired.  Here was a man who walked with God.  What a tribute God gave him as He said, "Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face," We have been reading about his life for the past three months and we have seen a life of someone who walked with God.  And now we see that even though God could not let him go into the promised land, He did give him a glimpse of what was ahead.  Ponder with me what a sweet relationship God enjoyed with Moses and what a sweet gift He gave this servant.  I am also touched by the gentle care God gave him as "He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day".

Matthew 17:2-4 "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  I am wondering if this is what the sneak preview was really about -  a glimpse of the promised Messiah he was waiting for.


Lord, You honored this man who listened so closely to Your words and was diligent to teach them to others.  You sent Your Son to make that privilege available to all.  Thank You for the example Moses left for us to see what it looked like to really know You, face to face.

 

May I be considered one who walked intimately with You through all the seasons of life.

Verna McCrillis, 9/30/2010