Deuteronomy 32:45-49 - When Moses had finished reciting these words
to Israel, he added: "Take to heart
all the words I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your
children so they will obey every word of this law. These instructions are not mere words -- they
are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you are
crossing the Jordan River to occupy." That same day the LORD said to Moses, "Go
to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount
Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the
land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own possession.
Moses was a much loved child…a prince…a
murderer…a fugitive…a shepherd…a chosen servant of God…and a songwriter. It’s a long song…but it is beautiful...full of
rich wisdom from his many years of close contact with God. And as Moses closes his beautiful song…his
last speech to the people of Israel…he tells them to meditate on the words he
has given them...to teach them to all the children that will be born…because
they are not just words…they are the life of every one who believes in God.
And God chose that moment...those rich
words that sum up the whole of every relationship with God…to let Moses climb
the mountain at last and see the Promised Land ...from a distance. Moses would fall asleep gazing at the most beautiful
land ever…and wake in even more beauty and spendor….as he crossed over into
Heaven…instead of the promised land.
I wonder what Moses thought about as he
climbed that mountain…were their tears of remorse…or perhaps tears of relief….even
gratitude. For Moses’ life was full of
good things…and he constantly gave God thanks for all of it. Moses practiced
what he preached...as I used to hear growing up….he lived the words he spoke to
the people…he taught them to all the children of Israel…God was his life.
One might think Moses’ punishment…not
getting to set his feet on the land of promise….was pretty harsh….he only fell
to his human flesh once. Personally …..I
think it is just another example of how rich God’s mercy is. He took away one
thing…but replaced it with something greater…for Heaven in all its glory had to
be better than the land God promised the Israelites here on Earth.
It should give us all great hope…especially
those of us that God has allowed to lose something great…for he has something
great in store for us too…and he might even give it to us while we are on this
side of Heaven. But even if he doesn’t give it to us in our earthly lifetime….it
will still come…for we will all climb our last mountain someday…and fall asleep
to wake to the most beautiful voice.
Somehow I just know that small still voice of God is going to sound
pretty glorious in person.
Father…I want you to be my life…so teach me
how to be more focused on you. Forgive
me first …for all the lame attempts I make to be your child…and show me how to
follow these great rules that Moses set before us. Allow me to see your burning bush…and let it
consume my whole being. Let me hear your
still small voice in everything I attempt to do…so I know that it is what you
want…and not my selfish flesh. Give me
discernment father…and show me how to meditate on you and the great Bible you
left me...and find time to really speak to you every day…like Moses did. Amen.
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