November 15, 2013
WITH PURPOSE
Deuteronomy 34
Erik Bahr
Central Truth
God's plan is a perfect plan. We may not always see it now or pursue it. But HIS PLAN IS PERFECT.
Key Verse | Deuteronomy 34:4
Then 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." (Deuteronomy 34:4)
Deuteronomy 34
The Death of Moses
1 Then 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, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, 6 and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Dive Deeper | Deuteronomy 34
God delivered the land promised to Moses -- the man who led the Israelites out of Egypt, parted the waters of the Red Sea, and received the Ten Commandments from God.
So why is this an important end to the story? It's important because Moses was a faithful follower of God's call, but was told he would not enter the Promised Land. On the surface, it may seem like Moses was asked to do a lot of work without experiencing any of the payoff. Yet, Moses was perfectly satisfied by God's provision to give him just a glimpse into the blessing that was promised. Moses had learned from the Israelites' sinful rebellion at Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13) that he must trust in and act on what God called him to do.
This reminds us of someone else who went willingly to His death, who also died alone on a mountain, who was in perfect health, and who lovingly carried out the will of His Father. Just as Moses was called by God to save His chosen people, Jesus was ordained by God to die so that we, God's chosen people, may live in the Promised Land to come.
Moses had only a peek at the Promised Land, but those who live in Christ today have it far better. We have the ability to worship, live in community, and experience the glory, power, and presence of Christ and His Spirit daily. Because of Jesus' work on the cross, we who have received His gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) get to receive a glimpse of the Promised Land each day that we live a purposeful life in Christ. As we go out into a world that is hostile to the Good News, let us remember that, like Moses, we do not go alone. Christ is with us always.
So whether you're 12 or 120, go hard, finish well, and enjoy every opportunity that you have to pursue Christ in everything you do today and tomorrow, until our day comes.
Discussion Questions
1. How do you do on work that you are asked to carry out, even when you know you may not see the fruit from the work?
2. Do you celebrate, with others in community, the good work that God has appointed to you and that you're consistent and faithful in doing?
3. What are you putting off that you need to do or develop the habit of doing so that you "finish well" as a godly man or woman?
4. Whom will you ask to help you develop those habits?