Tag: burial by God
A successor, prophetic song, blessing, check out!
Scripture reading for March 2: Deuteronomy 31-34
I have often told the Lord that I would like to leave this world like Moses, strong and vigorous to the last! I am a person who likes action and wants to be busy doing what God has for me. When my time comes to leave earth, I want to take one last look, and be gone! I want to have a successor who will carry on the work. I want to fight one last battle, give one last prophetic word, bless my church and family, and check out! That’s how Moses, the man of God ends his time on earth!
In Deuteronomy 31, we have the transfer of power and anointing from Moses to Joshua. Joshua had been faithful as a helper to Moses. He was by his side continuously. He went up on the mountain with Moses, at least part way. He was in charge of the Tent of Meeting. He was one of the twelve spies and had a “good report” as a man of faith in God’s Word. Joshua was picked by the Lord to succeed Moses. (Deuteronomy 31:14) Joshua was commissioned by the Lord to lead the people and promised God’s presence. (Deuteronomy 31:23)
In Deuteronomy 32, we have a song Moses composed at God’s direction that would be a witness against the people. God revealed to Moses that the people would rebel and suffer God’s punishment. This song commends the greatness of God, as the Rock of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) It spells out again the curses that will come from their disobedience to the covenant. (Deuteronomy 32:20-26) The song promises compassion and healing on those who return to the Lord and those who remain faithful. Deuteronomy 32:36-43) Music has a way of getting into hearts. God’s Word sung by the people would stick with them. We still have it written down for us today!
Deuteronomy 33 records the prophetic blessings on Israel and the tribes by Moses right before he left them. These blessing tell of God’s love for His people. (Deuteronomy 33:3-5) He ruled over them with love and wanted their blessing and provision. The blessings in this chapter are filled with imagery from the recent wanderings. One again stands out to me today that I regularly claim. “Most blessed of sons is Asher: let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25) May that be true of you and me!
Moses ends his journey by climbing Mt. Nebo in Moab and getting a bird’s eye view of the promised land. God took him through a panoramic tour, and then took him home. God buried him! (Deuteronomy 34:1-7) He was strong and vigorous and full of life to the last and he ever lives in God’s presence! In Scripture, he is last seen here on earth talking to Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration! (Matthew 17:1-3) What a man of God! I can’t wait to meet him someday!