Deuteronomy 32:44-52
44 So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.”
Moses to Die on Mount Nebo
48 Then the LORD spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho; view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession; 50 and die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, just as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people; 51 because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 Yet you shall see the land before you, though you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving to the children of Israel.”
The finality of Moses’ life was announced by the LORD to him after speaking the words of God song attributed to him. He and Joshua read the words of God’s greatness and their warning to avoid idolatry and immorality as they were told to worship and follow in holiness. When they finished speaking these words to be sung by the people for generations to come, Moses exhorted them to set their hearts on these words, not just in outward compliance but with a willingness to please the LORD. These same words were commanded to be followed and passed on for their descendants to do so also. He testified for and against them to heed these or suffer the consequences, to be attentive to observe all the words of God’s Law because it was their very life. By following God’s will revealed in the Law they would find long lives not cut short by their sin as they crossed the Jordan into the promised land. For we who are in Christ, grace keeps us from the consequences of sin but we are still held accountable (1 Corinthians 3:12-13, 14-15) when we face Him for His glory and our honor or shame as we enter the heavenly promised land where we will see Him (Job 19:25-27) face to face at last and forevermore. Remember the example here as Israel was about to cross the Jordan and their faithful leader Moses faced the consequences of a moment of disregard for God’s holiness (Numbers 20:12, Leviticus 10:3) and was not able to go with them, but had to enter alone into glory as we read in his story. He was gathered to his people with the LORD in His presence as was witnessed by the three apostles (Mark 9:2, 3-4) and as we who are in Christ will also will be in time as we enter into the glory of His presence in the promised land of heaven. We will then enter into glory, not condemnation, to meet Moses and all who went before us by faith in God’s person, word, and work.
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