Read
The Death of Moses
1Sometime later, Moses left the lowlands of Moab. He went up Mount Pisgah to the peak of Mount Nebo, which is across the Jordan River from Jericho. The Lord showed him all the land as far north as Gilead and the town of Dan. 2He let Moses see the territories that would soon belong to the tribes of Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Judah, as far west as the Mediterranean Sea. 3The Lord also showed him the land in the south, from the valley near the town of Jericho, known as The City of Palm Trees, down to the town of Zoar.
4 The Lord said, “Moses, this is the land I was talking about when I solemnly promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that I would give land to their descendants. I have let you see it, but you will not cross the Jordan and go in.”
5And so, Moses the Lord's servant died there in Moab, just as the Lord had said. 6The Lord buried him in a valley near the town of Beth-Peor, but even today no one knows exactly where. 7Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was still good, and his body was strong.
8The people of Israel stayed in the lowlands of Moab, where they mourned and grieved 30 days for Moses, as was their custom.
Joshua Becomes
9Before Moses died, he had placed his hands on Joshua, and the Lord had given Joshua wisdom. The Israelites paid attention to what Joshua said and obeyed the commands that the Lord had given Moses.
Moses Was
10 There has never again been a prophet in Israel like Moses. The Lord spoke face to face with him 11and sent him to perform powerful miracles in the presence of the king of Egypt and his entire nation. 12No one else has ever had the power to do such great things as Moses did for everyone to see.
Reflect
After 400 years of waiting, after 40 years of wandering, teaching, and preparing, the day has arrived. The promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is kept. The promise to Moses, that God would use him to lead the people out of Egypt to a promised land, is now kept.
God keeps his word. God’s promises come true. These verses tie up the story and declare again that God is great and good.
To be established as a great prophet means that your prophecy must come true. Moses has faithfully declared the Word of God. Not a word spoken has failed to come true. Ultimately, Jesus is the final fulfillment of Moses’ prophecy. Jesus is the other prophet who would follow Moses and accomplish God’s purpose.
Moses has revealed God to Israel, to Egypt, and to all who would hear this story. This would ultimately be the work that Jesus would do as he shows us the Father.
And in the pattern of Christ, this is the work that we have been given – to show the world our God and to bear witness of his love and purpose.
Respond
Father, thank you for the life and work of Moses. Thank you for this incredible witness of who you are and what your purposes are in this life. Lord, I want to join in this witness of your person and purpose to a world that needs you.
Dwayne Uglem
Dwayne and his wife, Janell, have made Caronport their home for the past 26 years. The Lord has blessed them with four daughters: Amy married to Caleb and their first grandchild, Hudson; Victoria; Carlie; and Lindsey. Dwayne's 26 years on staff at Briercrest College and Seminary has included a variety of administrative roles: Registrar, Associate Dean, VP Research and Planning, VP Finance and Operations, and VP Education. After a year serving as interim president, Dwayne was appointed president in July 2005. A graduate of Briercrest College and Seminary, Dwayne completed his Ed.D. with Nova Southeastern University. A love for numbers, research, and organizational culture have lead Dwayne into teaching areas that focus on organizational learning and planning, research, and assessment strategies. Dwayne thoroughly enjoys gardening, teaching the Bible, cooking, history, and mechanical work.