God’s Story... For My Life
Death and Life
Read Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”
So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. The people of Israel mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over.
Now Joshua 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, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.
(Deuteronomy 34:4-12)
Reflect
Moses, the man who did not want to be sent to Egypt because he was “not very good with words” (Exodus 4:10), delivered the three addresses to Israel that make up the book of Deuteronomy. God gave him the power to develop from a stuttering shepherd into a national leader and powerful orator. With courage, humility, and wisdom, he molded the Hebrew slaves into a nation. But Moses was one person who did not let success go to his head. In the end, God was still Moses’ best friend.
Moses was the only person who ever spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8). He was called Israel’s greatest prophet. Moses’ love, respect, and awe for God had grown daily throughout his life. Moses knew that no greatness in himself made him successful, but the greatness of the all-powerful God in whom he trusted. Yet even this great man was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he disobeyed God (Numbers 20:12). God disciplined Moses severely but still called him his friend. Many great and powerful prophets ministered during the time of the kings. But more than a thousand years would pass before one greater than Moses would appear—Jesus.
Respond
No matter how good we are, or how much we have done for God, we sometimes disobey him. The result of our disobedience is that we will be disciplined. When you experience the sting of God’s discipline, respond as Moses did. Don’t turn away in anger, embarrassment, or resentment. Instead, turn toward God with love, humility, and a desire to continue your relationship with him.