The Death of Moses
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, John 1:14-18, Hebrews 3:1-6
BY Tameshia Williams
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.
41 thoughts on "The Death of Moses"
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I have a suspicion that God may have had more than one reason for keeping Moses from entering the Promised Land: 1) He had earned his eternal reward, and 2) It was time for a new leader to step in. That transition would be much less awkward without Moses around. Also, we read in the New Testament that Moses DID get to be in the Promised Land when he appeared with Jesus on Mt. Tabor at the Transfiguration.
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For me the main theme of Deuteronomy is obedience to God. Since I’m not perfect, (no one is) I have to ask God for forgiveness and I know I have it since Christ died for me. I just finished reading Joyce Meyer’s book, “Help Me I’m Stressed”. It is an older book but it is great. Those of you who have anxiety problems I would highly recommend it. It’s only 80 pages and larger print so it doesn’t take long to read. One of the last things she says in her book is, “God uses our obedience in the little things to transform our life.” After I read that I got to thinking about how true it is.
Be blessed and have a wonderful and restful weekend sisters.
Oh and to those who believe the Sabbath is for resting, I agree but but there are a few professions that if they didn’t work on the Sabbath the care of others would not get done. -
Oh Cindy Hanna Praying right now for you and your family.
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Praying right now for you Donna
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Praying for you Donna that the appointment will go well , the Lord will give the doctor wisdom, and that He will calm all your fears.
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Cindy Hanna I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing but glad to k is that you are at peace over this. Blessings to you
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MELANIE – Praying for your in laws. That has to be scary.
LAURA – I understand your feelings. I have found myself to be on the downside lately. I’m tired of covid amongst trying to help my son with his illness. It makes everything so much harder. My husbands health situation. I’m just plain tired. I cannot imagine what you have to deal with. Covid, students, the parents….
CINDY HANNA – prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss.
DONNA WOLCOTT – Prayers for a good report.This has been a good study. When you look at our world today, people are grumbling about the most ridiculous things. Eyes have been taken off of God and His perfect ways. I pray that I keep mine focused on Him. To not let the world pull me in a different direction.
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LAURA – praying hard for you! As a parent who has had to wrangle kids online for school at various points of this pandemic, I have often lifted teachers in prayer & expressed my appreciation for all the extra work they have had to do.
Praying for refreshment for your soul, for guidance and wisdom, for all those in leadership roles at all levels for good policy, for peace and comfort for your heart! For all the teachers out there!
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