March 2 - Deuteronomy 31 - 34

We'll read 4 chapters today since the last chapter of Deuteronomy is only 12 verses. This will conclude Moses' final address to Israel prior to his death on the top of Mount Nebo.

Just before he climbs the Mountain to join his ancestors, Moses is summoned by God to join Joshua at the Tabernacle for a last word from Him. In his final opportunity to hear God speak to him while on earth, God informs him of 2 very important things:

1) He informs them of the future DOOM OF ISRAEL! He describes to them how that one day, in the future, Israel will turn their backs on Him and that He will have no choice but to nearly destroy them! Althought Moses already knew that from previous conversations with God, Joshua (the new leader) hears it for the first time from God! I can only imagine how this frightening message might have discouraged the both of them! Alot of time and energy went into leading these stubborn Israelites into a stable relationship with God...and now they learn that it may end in tragedy!

That reminds me! God has invested alot of time and energy into ALL OF US! How do you suppose He feels about where we are in our relationship with Him? Do you think He's pleased with our trust and obedience to His will? Are you living the life God wants you to live?

2) God provides Moses with a SONG OF WARNING!. God explains that this song of warning was "to serve as a witness for me against them" (31:19). Within this song of warning, God informs the nation of Israel of the many ways He will rise up against them if they decide to disobey Him. Here are just a few of those ways:

- "I will heap disasters on them" (vs.23)
- "I will weaken them with famine, burning fever, and deadly disease." (vs.24)
- "I will send the fangs of wild beasts and poisonous snakes." (vs.24)
- "Outside, the sword will bring death..." (vs.25)
- "Inside, terror will strike..." (vs.25)

In fact, God confesses that His anger will rise up and be so great that He describes in 32:22, "For my anger blazes forth like fire and burns to the depths of the grave."

So much so, that God goes on to say in verses 26-27, "I would have annihilated them, wiping out even the memory of them. But I feared the taunt of Israel's enemy, who might misunderstand and say, 'Our own power has triumphed! The Lord had nothing to do with this!"

God is so frustrated with Israel that He considers eve WIPING THE MEMORY OF THEIR EXISTENCE out of human history. The only problem - God doesn't want their enemies to gloat and become proud and think that God had nothing to do with their demise! God wants the glory due His Holy name! As He shares in the book of Isaiah, "My glory I will not share with another."

Oh, how I want to be careful not to anger the God who demands that we "fear Him!" That's why Solomon explains in Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

3) The Lord buries Moses! It might sound odd, but God Himself is the one who buried Moses according to 34:6, and no one knows the exact place! Moses was NOT sick or ailing. Even though he was 120 years old, the writer says that "his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever."

This would have been Moses' view overlooking the Promised Land from Mount Nebo at Pisgah Peak.

Oh how I want to finish strong! Moses, through a sinful act, had to die prematurely. However, he finished the race strong! How about you? What legacy will you leave when you die? What investment (not financial) will you offer to your children and grandchildren? May God help us all to end life with a spiritual strength like Moses!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!