Word of Encouragement (03/07/2023)

This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. (Deut. 33:1)

We will be looking at Moses’ final benediction of the twelve tribes of Israel. Today, let’s reflect on the circumstances of this benediction. Moses proceeded to give this benediction soon after the LORD told him, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people” (Deut. 32:49-50). The LORD also reminded him why he must die outside of the promised land and was only allowed to see it from a mountaintop (vv. 51-52).

We don’t hear any complaints or protests from Moses. He used to plead with the LORD to reconsider and allow him to enter the promised land. But the LORD sternly rebuked him not to ask anymore (Deut. 3:25-26), and Moses submitted to His will. After going through all that he did in his 120 years of life, he was able to trust the lovingkindness of the LORD toward him. Even though God did not allow him to enter the promised land, it didn’t mean that He did not love him and, in His anger, was abandoning him. If God could do this to His faithful servant, it was only because the promised land was not the true inheritance for the people of God. God made this clear when He withheld the inheritance of the land from the Levites, saying that He was their inheritance. God loves us too much not to give what is needful and good (from His eternal perspective, that is). And if God chooses not to give us certain things, it is because we don’t need them or because they are not necessary and/or good. I hope you can believe this in your heart.

Are you also impressed that Moses did not ask God to extend his life? It is true that he was 120 years old. But we are told, “Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated” (34:7). He could have kept going if God did not tell him that it was his time. But he knew that, because he was not allowed to go in, he had to die before Israel could enter the promised land!

Doesn’t this remind something of Jesus Christ in a small way? Jesus was willing to go to the cross and die the most excruciating death on the cross because He knew that we could not enter heaven unless He died first. Moses had to die outside of the promised land because of his sin of dishonoring the LORD once. Jesus was banished to hell, not because He sinned but because He was bearing all our sins. He did that so we can enter heaven. Through His sacrifice, He blessed us with divine forgiveness, eternal life, and everlasting joy. Now that He rose again from the dead, He continues to pronounce His benediction on us from the right hand of the Father. If Christ should love us and bless us in this way, we are safe and rich beyond measure. May you experience His love and abundant blessings as you cling to Christ through faith!

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