The Promised Land
Deuteronomy 34:1-4: "Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain - that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees - as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, 'This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.'"
The Lord led Moses up to the plains of Moab to look out over the promised land. For forty years, Moses has led the nation of Israel towards this land. Those were certainly formative years for Moses! He went from being a very hesitant leader who was not comfortable speaking before the Hebrew people and the Pharaoh to being a leader who spoke with confidence and authority. This transformation happened as Moses learned to put his trust in God instead of himself.
Moses began his ministry in the desert as God called to him out of the burning bush. He learned who God was and in learning who God was, Moses learned who he was: the one God had set apart from birth to lead the nation of Israel out of bondage in the land of Egypt to the promised land. Moses learned of God's great power and sovereignty as the Lord overpowered Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods in the ten plagues.
The Lord continued to meet with Moses, speak to Moses, and equip him for the work of leading the people. Through the direction of the Lord, the nation of Israel built a tabernacle for the Lord. The Lord dwelt with his people and fulfilled his covenantal promises to them and their forefathers.
Now, the nation of Israel was just outside of the land, and the Lord graciously showed Moses the land of promise. The Israelites would finally occupy the land, though Moses will not go with them. Instead, Moses saw the land with his eyes, and then he died there on the mountain of the Lord. It was the appointed time for Moses' earthly life to end and his eternal life to begin. What an amazing legacy Moses left behind him for the nation of Israel!
We are now the ones who are invited to serve the Lord as Moses did – to walk with the Lord, speak to the Lord, and be transformed by the Lord. Are we emulating the life of Moses in this way? Are we faithfully leading those whom God has entrusted to our care?
Reflection:
Can you imagine the joy of the Father as he welcomed Moses into the heavenly realms? That is the joy the Father will have for you as you faithfully allow him to do his work in you and through you.
The Lord led Moses up to the plains of Moab to look out over the promised land. For forty years, Moses has led the nation of Israel towards this land. Those were certainly formative years for Moses! He went from being a very hesitant leader who was not comfortable speaking before the Hebrew people and the Pharaoh to being a leader who spoke with confidence and authority. This transformation happened as Moses learned to put his trust in God instead of himself.
Moses began his ministry in the desert as God called to him out of the burning bush. He learned who God was and in learning who God was, Moses learned who he was: the one God had set apart from birth to lead the nation of Israel out of bondage in the land of Egypt to the promised land. Moses learned of God's great power and sovereignty as the Lord overpowered Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods in the ten plagues.
The Lord continued to meet with Moses, speak to Moses, and equip him for the work of leading the people. Through the direction of the Lord, the nation of Israel built a tabernacle for the Lord. The Lord dwelt with his people and fulfilled his covenantal promises to them and their forefathers.
Now, the nation of Israel was just outside of the land, and the Lord graciously showed Moses the land of promise. The Israelites would finally occupy the land, though Moses will not go with them. Instead, Moses saw the land with his eyes, and then he died there on the mountain of the Lord. It was the appointed time for Moses' earthly life to end and his eternal life to begin. What an amazing legacy Moses left behind him for the nation of Israel!
We are now the ones who are invited to serve the Lord as Moses did – to walk with the Lord, speak to the Lord, and be transformed by the Lord. Are we emulating the life of Moses in this way? Are we faithfully leading those whom God has entrusted to our care?
Reflection:
Can you imagine the joy of the Father as he welcomed Moses into the heavenly realms? That is the joy the Father will have for you as you faithfully allow him to do his work in you and through you.
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