Deuteronomy 33-34: Moses

Here we are at the end of Deuteronomy.  And the end of Moses' life.  We've been following Moses' journey through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  We've seen the good, the bad and the ugly.  From the beginning, when Moses questioned God's assignment to him as the one to lead the Israelites; through the 40 years in the wilderness, where he faithfully sought God and boldly led God's people; until the end, where he sees the promised land but cannot enter into it....what a journey it has been.

In Deuteronomy 33, before Moses dies, he blesses each of the tribes of Israel, just as Jacob blessed each of his twelve sons before he died (Genesis 49).  I love that he did this.  I love the concept of blessing in this sense and I believe that something significant happens in the spiritual realm when we verbally speak blessing over others.  So this is not simply a farewell, thanks for the memories speech.  It is a powerful conclusion to Moses' time as the Israelites' leader.... the passing on of his heart, love and vision for them.

After Moses' blessing, he goes up to the top of a mountain opposite of Jericho and God shows him all of the promised land.  I wonder what that felt like.  Bittersweet, I'm sure.  The relief of a difficult journey well walked, the joy of glimpsing the fulfillment of God's promise and the ache of only seeing the promised land from a distance before dying right outside of it.  I imagine it was somewhat of a holy moment for Moses to gaze on the land God had promised so long ago to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy ends with 34:10-12

"Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt - to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel."

Moses set a very high standard.  For years to come, no one could compare to him.  Even in the time of Jesus, the Jews continued to hold Moses with such high regard that they identified themselves as disciples of Moses.  But when Jesus came, He changed everything.  Hebrews 3:1-6 compares Moses and Jesus so that the Jews of that day, and everyone else, would know that that Jesus is superior, the only one to be exalted.

Hebrews 3:1-3

"Therefore....fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself...."

So as we close this chapter of our Journey Through the Story, as we say goodbye to Moses and begin to follow Joshua on the conquest of the promised land, may we fix our thoughts on Jesus.