Before the nation of Israel entered into the Promised Land, Moses gave them three speeches which comprised most of the content of the book of Deuteronomy. Moses’ first speech reflected on God’s faithfulness in the past (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43). His second speech reminded Israel about the importance of God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68). The final speech of Moses challenged the nation of Israel to recommit themselves to obeying God so they would be able to experience God’s goodness once they occupied Canaan (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20). Following all three of these addresses, Moses informed Israel that Joshua would become their new leader and led them into the land God had promised to them (31:1-8). This transition in leadership marked a major event in the history of Israel, but Moses challenged Joshua to “…be strong and of a good courage” (31:7). After Moses announced this shift in leadership, the Lord called Moses and Joshua to meet with Him in the tabernacle of meeting where Joshua would be inaugurated as the new leader over Israel (31:14-15). Although Joshua’s confirmation as the new leader should have been a time of celebration, it was marked with bad news. Sometime after the death of Moses (31:14-16a), Israel would turn their back on God by worshiping other gods (31:16b) and Israel’s rebellion would result in God’s wrath being poured out on them and the Lord would ultimately hide His face from them (31:17-18). God then commanded Moses to write down a song and teach it to the children of Israel so that it would be a reminder of the consequences of Israel’s disobedience (31:19-21). The words of this song were recorded in Deuteronomy 32:1-43 and it contained the following themes: the faithfulness of God and the unfaithfulness of His people (32:4-9), God’s goodness to Israel (32:10-14), Israel’s rebellion against God (32:15-18), God’s judgement of Israel (32:19-27), Israel’s lack of discernment (32:28-33), and God’s vengeance upon Israel’s rebellion (32:34-43). After Moses wrote the song and taught it to the children of Israel, Joshua was inaugurated the leader over all of Israel (31:22-23). After Joshua’s inauguration, all of the words Moses had spoken (Genesis 1 – Deuteronomy 32) were written in a book and placed beside the ark of the covenant by the Levites (32:24-26). These words would become a testimony against Israel’s future rebellion against God (31:27-29).
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: ’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…’” (32:48-49). Even though Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land because of his sin at Kadesh (Deuteronomy 32:51; Numbers 20:1-13), the Lord graciously allowed him to view it from a distance. Prior to his death, Moses also blessed each of the tribes of Israel with the following prayers: Reuben – a blessing for this tribe to survive and multiply (33:6); Judah – a blessing of power against his enemies (33:7); Levi – a blessing of faithfulness and protection (33:8-11); Benjamin – a blessing of safety and peace (33:12); Joseph, including Ephraim and Manasseh – a blessing of prosperity and military success (33:13-17); Zebulun, including Issachar – a blessing for daily blessing and profitable sea trade (33:18-19); Gad – a blessing for great military victory (33:20-21); Dan – a blessing of strength (33:22); Naphtali – a blessing of God’s favor (33:23); and Asher – a blessing of supreme prosperity (33:24-25). Moses concluded this time of blessing with a reminder to Israel that their God was all-powerful and able to protect them with His “everlasting arms” (33:26-29).
After pronouncing a blessing on each of Israel’s tribes, Moses went up to Mount Nebo where God showed him all the land He was giving to Israel (34:1-4). ”So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished” (34:5-7). When Israel heard of Moses’ death, they wept for him 30 days and then their mourning ended (34:8). Although Moses’ life ended without seeing God’s promise to Israel fulfilled, he was described with the following words (probably written by Joshua), “But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (34:10-12). Moses was not perfect, but he was used by God and became the greatest prophet on the Old Testament.
Dear God, use me like You used Moses.
