Deuteronomy 33:26-27 – There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you saying, ‘Destroy him!’”

Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt through the desert and across the Red Sea. It had been a long and difficult journey, not just because of the physical perils they encountered but because the very people he was leading were sometimes rebellious. But now they were on the other side of all that and were on their way to the Promise Land. Moses led them in a wonderful song of remembrance and praise to God, all the while pointing out the attributes of God and admonishing them to take to heart solemnly all he had declared to them. He said: “they are not just idle words for you – they are for your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:47).

Shortly thereafter the Lord commanded Moses to go to Mount Nebo to take a look at Canaan, the land promised to the Israelites.  The Lord also shared with Moses a secret – he would die there on the mountain, he would not enter the Promise Land, as was also the case with Aaron who had died on Mount Hor. The Lord said: “This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites.” (Deuteronomy 32: 48-52). On the face of it this seemed to me like a severe punishment considering how difficult their assignment had been.

Our mortal minds do not comprehend things eternal. We see things in a very limited time-bound fashion. The Holy Spirit revealed to me years ago that my interpretation of this scene on the mountain was completely wrong and explained that rather than punishment God was taking Moses into his presence. That was his reward, not punishment! Isn’t that our blessed hope? To be in the presence of the Lord! “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.” (Romans 11:33).

I believe that it was because of this very special relationship which Moses had with God that he was able to confidently proclaim the blessings he did on the Israelites before his death. (See Deuteronomy 33) And of Moses it is written “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face ….” (See Deuteronomy 34:11).