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THE DEATH OF MOSES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29
Deuteronomy 34:5-10

Hebrews 11:23-29

 

“Choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God,

than to enjoy the pleasures of sin…”

 

THE DEATH OF MOSES
 
The Lord caused Moses to see the land but not to enter it. This was to assure Moses that the Lord would fulfil what He had promised him. He was given that peace at his departure that all his labour had not been in vain. In his early life, Moses faced great dangers and his parents had to hide him in the river. He was subsequently rescued and brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter. The life of that infant was now coming to an end, 120 years later. His end came, and he died in the land of Moab.
 
Deuteronomy 34:5-10 records Moses’ death, and that he was buried in the valley in the land of Moab over against Bethpeor, but no man knows the exact place of his burial. The site of his burial is not known for the Lord buried him. The Lord did not allow the people to bury him for reasons known to Him only. It can only be speculated that the people were not allowed to see his body or take part in his funeral because they might make his burial place an object of worship. Thus, Israel was kept in the dark. Israel did, however, declare thirty days of mourning for Moses. This was a natural thing to do in such circumstances. If a person of that stature had died today, he would be given a state funeral and large crowds would attend. All media outlets would report the event widely and many would know of it. In the place of burial, they would perhaps build a magnificent tomb and it would be a location for annual pilgrimages.
 
The Bible mentioned the death of Moses with a little extra detail in the New Testament. Jude 9 recorded that Michael, the archangel, contended with the devil when they disputed over the body of Moses. Nothing more is added, thus one cannot speculate beyond what is said. The psalmist said that the death of His saints is precious in the sight of the Lord. Moses died with dignity and the Lord had done great things through his life. What can we do today that will please the Lord?
 
THOUGHT: It is worth all the trouble to serve the Lord, as Moses did.

PRAYER: Father, may I find satisfaction in my service for Thee.

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