Moses departs this life, but sees the land of Israel first
We all have a time set by our Lord when we have to depart this life and enter the next one. The main thing is that we are prepared and that we teach and prepare the next generation after us. That’s exactly what Moses does. Be blessed as you read, consider and pray.
Deuteronomy 33: Moses' Final Blessing on Israel
1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death.
2 He said, "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.
3 Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you,
4 when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.
5 Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.
6 "Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few."
7 And this he said of Judah: "Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him in to his people. With your hands contend for him, and be a help against his adversaries."
8 And of Levi he said, "Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one, whom you tested at Massah, with whom you quarrelled at the waters of Meribah;
9 who said of his father and mother, 'I regard them not'; he disowned his brothers and ignored his children. For they observed your word and kept your covenant.
10 They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 Bless, O LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again."
12 Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders."
13 And of Joseph he said, "Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath,
14 with the choicest fruits of the sun and the rich yield of the months,
15 with the finest produce of the ancient mountains and the abundance of the everlasting hills,
16 with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favour of him who dwells in the bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph, on the pate of him who is prince among his brothers.
17 A firstborn bull---he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh."
18 And of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents.
19 They shall call peoples to their mountain; there they offer right sacrifices; for they draw from the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand."
20 And of Gad he said, "Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp.
21 He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander's portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments for Israel."
22 And of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's cub that leaps from Bashan."
23 And of Naphtali he said, "O Naphtali, sated with favour, and full of the blessing of the LORD, possess the lake and the south."
24 And of Asher he said, "Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favourite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil.
25 Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.
26 "There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.
27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.
28 So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew.
29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs."
Deuteronomy 34: The Death of Moses
1 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan,
2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea,
3 the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.
4 And the LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD,
6 and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day.
7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigour unabated.
8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land,
12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Things to think about…
Dt 33 lays out the final words of blessing upon Israel – here called Jeshurun which means upright/just. The blessings also include limitations because of past sins. Like Reuben who slept with his dad’s concubine – hence the ‘blessing’ for Reuben is “live…but let his men be few”, vs 6. Our obedience or lack of it follows our family line. What legacy are you leaving for this generation or the generation coming behind you?
Levi was a bad example to his brothers and priests Dt 33:8-10, yet they were to teach Israel and be blessed in the process, vs 11. God’s word was still to be preached and as such a blessing rested upon Levi. Though this was the case may hypocrisy be gone from the church. Love involves the truth – may we rejoice in both.
The longest and greatest blessing is given to Joseph and his sons Ephraim (synonymous with Israel) and Manasseh Dt 33:13-17. Joseph’s blessing is really that for Israel as a whole. They have been a blessed people group and have of course suffered much, due both to their own sin and the sin of other nations. Continue to pray that the gospel is received by those who claim to know the God of the Torah.
The rest of the blessings for the tribes often include the territories where they will inherit, eg the mountains - Zebulun and Issachar, Dan – Bashan, Naphtali – The lake (sea of Galilee) and the south, Asher dip his foot in oil – olive groves. Note that one tribe is not listed or blessed – Simeon. Remember he led the rebellion against Hamor because of their sister Dinah, Gen 35 and as such Simeon and Levi were scattered among the other tribes. Levi was called to be scattered, but it was a judgement for Simeon.
Moses is shown the entire land of Israel from Mt Nebo, Dt 24:1-4. Our guide in Israel in 2014 said that although Moses’ eyes were sharp even until death, vs 7, this vision was a supernatural act on God’s part for Moses. I had never considered this before, but I am inclined to agree with it. Moses got more than just a hazy blue, blurred view of the land. He saw it all clearly, Dt 34:1-3 as far north as Dan and as far west as the Mediterranean Sea including the whole interior. Pray that we have an accurate view of our country spiritually.
Note that God buried Moses, and no-one knows where his grave is. The book of Jude records that even the spiritual realm fought over his body. I suspect this was the case because it could have been used as a stumbling block for Israel.
Moses lays hands on Joshua and he is anointed as the next leader, vs 9. But there was none to arise like Moses, Dt 33:10-12 – until Jesus of course, Acts 3:22. Pray that the Lord raises up godly, wise and gracious leaders in our generation that can speak with authority over our land.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the appointment of Ric Benson as Church Health and Community Pastor to CBC. Ric will be preaching for the next 2 weeks on the 20th Aug and 27th Aug, prior to the church vote on the 27th Aug.
2. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
3. Pray about Sunday’s message preached by Ric Benson that it would change lives.
4. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
5. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
6. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church, pray for continued growth of this ministry.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for Pr Joseph Gamatia and our Solomon Islander brothers and sisters.
2. Praise God for Richard’s testimony of God’s grace over his life. What a blessing to see his ministry to Sally and for him to share his journey with us.
3. Was wonderful to see a near full church again. Thankyou to everyone who made yesterday’s service a blessing.
4. Great third session last night at alpha course.
5. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
6. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Information session 27th Aug after the morning service. All members please attend as we will be voting for Ric Benson to be a pastor at CBC.
2. Alpha Course 5th session on Wed 24th Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
