Cemeteries are filled with epitaphs engraved on tombstones, honoring the lives of departed loved ones. With just a few words or short phrases, they give insight into who the person was and what they meant to those whose lives they touched. Deuteronomy 34, the shortest chapter in the book, is a beautiful epitaph to a life lived in dedication to God.
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the LORD’s word (Deuteronomy 34:5).
The writer of this section of Deuteronomy could have added more titles to this verse: prophet, great lawgiver, and worker of miracles. Instead, Moses is simply referred to as the servant of the Lord. Some of his works are listed later, but “servant of the LORD” (v.5) captures the essence of Moses’s life.
For decades Moses faithfully served the Lord, leading the people God had entrusted to him out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and finally to the borders of the promised land. However, he could not enjoy Canaan with them because of a disobedience committed earlier in their desert journey (v.4).
It’s tempting to focus on the unfairness (from our perspective) of Moses missing out on a long-awaited reward because of one failure. Of course it’s a disappointing reality. But we’ll miss out on the broader narrative of Moses’s story and the message of Deuteronomy if we only stay there.
Moses’s life, summarized in this capstone chapter, reflects all of his instructions recorded in the previous chapters. Deuteronomy is for us a picture of a loving God who calls His people to covenant, responding to His goodness by loving Him—faithfully walking in His ways. The call to faithfulness, in Moses’s lifetime and our own, doesn’t overlook our brokenness as humans. Instead, it directs us to turn to the One who has called us and trust in Him to help us walk in His ways.
These final verses from a book that some regard as harsh or legalistic actually underscore the beauty and truth reflected throughout Deuteronomy. As servants and children of the Lord, our God invites us to get to know Him through His instructions, through His Word. Because He is a just God, He will not overlook our sin. Sometimes our disobedience does cause us to miss out on some wonderful things. But that doesn’t mean that He will abandon or disown us. At the end of the day, Moses is still the servant of the Lord, in spite of his failures.
Centuries later, the writer of Hebrews reflects on Moses’s faithful service to point us to Jesus, who has secured our identity as God’s forever people (Hebrews 3:2–3). We are His, and every day is an opportunity to live in honor of this truth.
Moses may have missed out on entering the promised land but when Satan tried to contend with God over his body, God hid him. Later it is revealed that Moses was there at Jesus’ transfiguration. Matthew 17:2 states that Jesus “was transfigured before them; his face shining as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.” At that point the prophet Elijah representing the prophets and Moses representing the Law appear and Jesus begins to talk to them
I wonder if Moses not entering the promised land is a case of letting go of good to receive God’s best. Moses is described as being in relative good physical health when he dies (Deut 34:7) so perhaps it was a case of going to be with the Lord which is infinitely better than anything on earth.
Once they crossed the Jordan, the book of Joshua is filled with all the battles involved in taking the land. Maybe God preventing Moses from entering was actually a gift to him.
It was a reminder to me regardless that God sees the whole picture and to trust in His plan and provision!
Happy Friday sisters!
Deuteronomy finished! Wow, what a journey and a wonderful reminder of how loving, compassionate and kind or God truly is. I am amazed at the fact that Moses was 120 years old and had great eyesight and had physical strength and health! It’s always sad to read that Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land, but he did get to enter a far better one – heaven! God’s way is perfect. God is holy. He commands us and expects us to faithfully follow and obey Him…Not to much to ask really if you consider the rewards in doing so! Thank you Tamishia and all of you ladies who have brought us this wonderful and very needed study!
@Melanie – praying for your FIL and MIL and especially for you, that God will give you the strength to carry on.
@Laura – My heart goes out to you and all teachers in public schools, I know this is not what you “signed up” for. It’s a whole new learning curve and takes lots of patience and praying. Praying for you this morning.
@Donna – praying for you this morning as you go to your Dr visit. May God take away your anxiety and replace it with His peace that passes our understanding. Praying that you get answers, and good news.
@all my SRT sisters- Have an abundantly blessed Friday and a wonderful weekend! ❤️
Last night at 5:53pm. My father went to Jesus. This morning I awoke to read about the death of Moses. “Servant of the Lord”. Sitting with all my feelings this morning and am at peace. God cares. God hears. God answers. Blessings to all SRT sisters.
Sending condolences to you and your family. Praying for your continued peace.
LAURA, a fellow teacher here. I’m praying for you. Teaching has always been an adventure, but right now it feels like an extreme sport. Hang in there. I teach high school and which is so different from 1st grade. High schoolers are a little more independent, but it’s still hard to get them to do the work when they’re quarantined. I can’t imagine doing online with 1st graders. I pray that God will speak truth into your life and that His voice will be clear on what you need to do.
Beautifully said Angie, thank you for your post. I look forward to reading your wisdom. ❤️
Praying for you Donna.
Dear sisters, may I ask for prayers today. I have an appointment this morning with a pulmonologist for a diagnosis. I have waited 5 months to get in and I am anxious. I know my Lord will be with me. Thank you and God bless you all.
Praying for God’s peace for you, His guidance of the physician and healing.