Lately, I have been spending a lot of time reading in Deuteronomy in both our scripture reading plan and in another study I have been engaged in. It has been fascinating to dive in and study more deeply the roots of our faith. You can see a great deal about the Holy character of God and the depth of His love for His people when studying the words of the Old Testament. Moses was protected from a decree to kill all baby boys, he grew up with the wealth and education of a prince in his adopted family, he evaded punishment for taking up for the Hebrew people from which he was born fleeing to the desert because he took a life, he started his life over in the desert and had a family of his own. He was call by God at a burning bush at the age of eighty and began the part of his life he is most known for, and perhaps the hardest time in his life at a time when most are slowing down and enjoying the fruit of their labors, at least in our day. Moses was a man like any other. He had successes, failures, questions, concerns but he is most known for his faithfulness to God, his listening to God and in most cases his obedience to God. His is also known for his love great love for God’s people.

What I found today as I came to the close of Moses life was the beauty in God’s love and care for His servant. Moses, because of disobedience to God had been told he would not be allowed to enter the promised land with the people and now as Deuteronomy comes to an end Moses is approaching the time that he will say goodbye to his people and they will begin their journey into the land of promise. Moses is now 120 years old in perfect health and perfect eye sight. In Chapter 31 God tells Moses that he is about to rest with his fathers, He tells Moses the people will one day turn from God. He then calls Joshua forth to be commissioned and anointed the new leader of Israel. Moses speaks warnings and blessings over the people. Despite knowing his fate, he shows his love and concern for the people he has led by speaking warnings and blessings over them.  The very day that Moses spoke over the people of Israel, God spoke to Moses saying,  “⁴⁹ “Go up Mount Nebo in the Abarim range in the land of Moab, across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan I am giving the Israelites as a possession.⁵⁰ Then you will die on the mountain that you go up, and you will be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.”   That is a lot of background summary to get to the heart of what has touched my heart so profoundly.  Moses in his last earthly act of obedience did just as the Lord said and went to Mount Nebo ascending to the top of Pisgah where the Lord spoke to him and  he was able to see at a distance the Promised land.  And having done as the Lord had instructed Moses.   34:⁵ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, as the Lord had said. ⁶ He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. ⁷ Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him. ⁸ The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.”

Did you catch that, the Lord, his God buried him! God, Himself buried Moses!!  What a tender picture. God never left Moses! He took Moses from the mountain where he breathed his last breath and buried him in the valley in the land of Moab. God was with him in all aspects of his life, even in his disobedience that cost Moses the promised land. He was with him every step of the way! He was watching over him in the basket on the Nile, throughout his childhood, his time in the desert, his time of leadership over God’s people and even in his final hours! Moses died at the fullness of time as told in Genesis 6:3, “³ And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not  remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.”

We as believers also have great promises! Jesus also promised that He never leaves us or forsakes us. Deuteronomy 33:26-28 speaks of God coming down from over Moses, His everlasting arms beneath Moses, moving out the enemy from before him and in Isaiah 58:8 that He is our rear guard. We can count on these same promises in Christ, for we are grafted into the vine and are the seed of Abraham, we are joint heirs and heirs of the promise through Jesus Christ our Savior. We are truly blessed, Lord grant us the grace to walk in it!