“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.” Deuteronomy 34:1-3
The children of Israel have been wandering in the wilderness for close to 40 years. All of the people who left Egypt had died in the wilderness. Only 3 remained, Moses, Joshua and Caleb, and of those 3 one more would die before the next generation of Israelites could enter the land God promised them.
Moses was 120 years old. He had spent 1/3 of his life in Pharaoh’s palace, 1/3 of his life tending sheep in the deserts of Midian and the last 1/3 of his life leading God’s people from their captivity in Egypt. Leading a rebellious group of people had not been easy. Despite knowing and loving God, Moses had a sin nature like us. After many run-ins with this people, Moses finally blew his stack at the people and at God. As a result God told Moses he would not be allowed to enter the promised land. It was now the end of Moses’ life and the Bible tells us he was still strong in body and in spirit. Yet God’s word would be fulfilled. It was God’s time to take Moses home but
before He did, God wanted Moses to see the promised land. So Moses took one last trip to the top of Mount Nebo to look at the land God promised Israel – a land he would not enter.
As I near the end of the years God has given me in this life, Moses’ trip to Mount Nebo takes on added significance. God let Moses get a glimpse of what the people he loved would face. As Moses looked over the land he would see the greenness and fruitfulness of God’s promised land. This would likely make Moses smile. He wanted Israel to prosper, to love joyously in the land God promised – to be blessed.. But as Moses looked over the land he saw something else. Throughout the land fortified cities dotted the landscape. Moses would realize there were fierce battles to be fought and enemies to be defeated. The same warriors and giants that had scared the people of
Israel from entering the land the first time were still there. In fact they were stronger and had increased in number. Moses kenw the time in the land would not be one of warfare. not just ease.
What can we learn? Moses and I differ in one major respect. He was as strong physically as he ever was and as strong as spiritually as he had ever been. I am getting weaker physically but I think (hope) I am stronger spiritually then I ever have been. I identify with what Moses saw for the people he loved. I see the great spiritual fruit my children and grandchildren can produce for God and I rejoice. I pray that D.L. Moody’s statement will be true in each of their lives. “The world has not seen what God can do through one person fully dedicated to God can do.” I pray for that result knowing that is where true success, true joy and great eternal reward resides. At the same time I look over the land they must live in and know the battles will be fierce. The time they live in will not be easy and not without danger. Like Moses
for Israel, a prayer goes up that my children and grandchildren will be faithful, will grow in love and obedience to God. I pray God will be with them in power and in power and truth for I will not be. But they will
not be alone – Their God will never leave them nor forsake them. There’s a lot to be prayed for as you look to the future from the top of Mount Nebo.