34:4,10Moses was the only person who ever spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8). He was called \srael’s greatest prophet. Yet even this great man was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he disobeyed God (Numbers 20:12). No matter how good we are or how much we've done for God, we sometimes disobey him. The result of our disobedience is that we will be disciplined. God disciplined Moses severely but still called him his friend. When you experience the sting of God’s discipline, respond as Moses did. Don’t turn away in anger, embarrassment, or resentment. Instead, turn toward God with love, openness, and a desire to do better.
Life Application Study BibleDeuteronomyChapter 34
Deuteronomy 34
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original page: 310
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34Deuteronomy 34
The Death of Moses
134 Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea*; 3the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho— the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.” 5So0 Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, just as the LORD had said. SThe LORD buried him* in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. 7Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. 8The people of Israel mourned for Moses onthe plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over. 9Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD.had commanded Moses. 10There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. 11The LORD sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. '? With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.
Textual footnotes
- buried him; Samaritan Pentateuch and some Greek manuscripts read They buried him.
- 34:2 Hebrew the western sea.
- 34:6 Hebrew He
Life Application Notes 2 notes
34:10-12Moses, the man who did not want to be sent to Egypt because he was “not very good with words” (Exodus 4:10), delivered the three addresses to Israel that make up the book of Deuteronomy. God gave him the power to develop from a stuttering shepherd into a national leader and powerful orator. His courage, humility, and wisdom molded the Hebrew slaves into a nation. But Moses was one person who did not let success go to his head. In the end, God was still Moses’ best friend. His love, respect, and awe for God had grown daily throughout his life. Moses knew that it was not any greatness in himself that made him successful; it was the greatness of the all-powerful God in whom he trusted. There were many great and powerful prophets during the time of the kings. But it would be more than a thousand years before one greater than Moses would appear—Jesus.