October 27, 2024

The Death of Moses

Preacher:
Passage: Deuteronomy 32:48-52, 34:1-12; Psalm 106
Service Type:

Introduction

  • When did you last climb a mountain?
    • A beautiful place to go
    • Something compelling about being in a high place above everything else
  • There are many stories in the Bible featuring mountains
    • People encounter God in a special way
    • Why?
      • In a quiet place
      • Being along with God
    • Example of Mount Moriah, Sinai, Carmel; Jesus’ transfiguration Jerusalem
  • One encounter from Deuteronomy – the final encounter of Moses with God
    • Deuteronomy – "these are the words" (of God)
      • Moses’ last words to the people before he dies
      • A transition from wandering to settled, Moses to Joshua, looking ahead to the fulfilment
    • Moses would not see the promised land
      • Deut 1:37
      • Deut 3:23-27
      • Numbers 20 – the reason why
  • Reading Deut 32:48-52 and 34:1-12
  • Overview:
    • How good is the God who keeps His word
    • How good is the God who continues His work
    • How good is the God who shepherds His people

How good is the God who keeps His word

  • God is faithful to all His word
    • Blessing and glory or judgment and discipline
    • There is no favouritism but utter faithfulness
  • Geography recap
    • Moses climbs Mount Nebo in the range of the Pisgah mountains
    • Moses looks in each direction and see all the places God will give to His people (34:4)
  • Think of the promise given to Abraham and how this often looked impossible
    • Example of Ps 106
    • God keeps His promise to Abraham
    • God’s plans are never derailed
  • God keeps His word to Moses and Aaron
    • (However, both are not permitted to see the promised land)
    • Both in blessing but also in discipline
      • We are often thankful for His power
      • We are not often thankful for His discipline
  • We must feast upon God’s word, to make it our heart’s desire, not to pick and choose
    • Strong words ought to be sobering to us and remind us of the judgment for sin

How good is the God who continues His work

  • A transition point – God’s work goes on and does not end with Moses
    • Example of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
    • Moses death – very modest (34:5)
  • The fellowship of God in life is matched in death
    • God buried Moses (34:6)
    • Who else in Scripture was buried by God?
  • Moses stopped his work – not because he was weak or feeble (34:7)
    • But because of the judgment of God
  • God had graciously provided another leader to carry on the work – Joshua
    • Full of the spirit of wisdom (34:9)
  • An encouragement – what we do is not wasted
    • Even if we never see the final outcome
    • We are not indispensable – the work does not reside within us
      • God can carry out the work without us
    • Yet God will see His work through to completion
      • He will raise up others
    • We are called to be faithful in serving Him
      • Moses is known as the ‘servant of the Lord’

How good is the God who shepherds His people

  • Moses’ eulogy highlights his unique place in leading God’s people
    • Reading 34:10-12
    • There has not arisen another prophet like Moses
      • Who knew God face-to-face
      • He was able to do signs and wonders
        • Not for his glory but God’s glory
  • Reading Numbers 27:12-18
    • God is the one who shepherds His people
      • This was Moses’ prayer
      • What Moses had started, Joshua continued
    • We see past Joshua to Jesus Christ
      • The Great Shepherd of His people
    • We see past Moses to Jesus Christ
      • Reading Hebrews 3:1-6
      • Verses that honour Moses but point past Him to Jesus
  • Jesus goes before us to prepare a place
    • We hold firmly to the hope and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ
    • He is greater than Moses

Closing Remarks

  • He is faithful to His word
  • He continues His work
  • He Shepherds His people
  • He has done all things well
  • His love endures forever