Moses was a remarkable leader, a great man who did not allow his great sin to sideline him from the job God had called him to do. I will illustrate this as we look at Numbers 27:12-23, the text for today’s blog. To emphasize why I believe Moses was such a great man, let’s review the great sin that cost him the privilege of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. https://www.cosdavis.com/moses-at-mirabah-continued/. Moses didn’t argue with God about the punishment. He continued to lead the people and do what the Lord told him to do. This jumps out at us in today’s study.
In last week’s study of the 5 daughters of Zelophehad, https://www.cosdavis.com/the-5-daughters-of-zelophehad/, Moses showed merciful leadership in dealing with their petition. His attitude is good, and he continues to serve, even after learning the fate of his sin.
Immediately after the story of the 5 daughters, we come to Numbers 27:12-23. Verses 12-14 could almost be interpreted as insensitive and cruel on God’s part, but I don’t think that was the intent.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go up to this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the sons of Israel. And when you have seen it, you too shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was; for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my command to treat me as holy before their eyes at the water.”‘
How do you think Moses may have taken these words? I think he may have felt rewarded for his faithful service to God’s people. God could have killed him or cut him off completely from anything to do with the Promised Land. But He didn’t; Moses was allowed to see and celebrate what God had done through him for the people he loved so much. God was being gracious, not dismissing the great work of the man who had faithfully served Him for about 80 years. At the close of his life, he will get a panoramic, breathtaking view of the land God had promised Abraham and his descendants. What a thrilling, worshipful experience this would be for Moses!
What Moses did immediately after hearing God’s promise about how his life would end further illustrates the magnificent leader he was. Where was his concern; what did he do?
“Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”‘ Numbers 27:15-17.
God has just told Moses about the rewarding end to his life, but Moses pivots to his concern about what will happen to his people. “Please, Lord, choose a good, caring leader for your people, someone who will shepherd and protect them.”
Moses had a great servant-heart, and he wouldn’t stop working for God and His people until the day he died. Numbers 27:18-23 tells of how God instructed Moses to commission Joshua as his replacement. Moses did exactly as God said, but he didn’t take a vacation or become a “lame duck” leader. Joshua would assume leadership of the Israelites after Moses’ death, but Moses helped prepare him and the people for how to live under God as a new nation.
Numbers 28-36 paint the picture of Moses as a man fully engaged, giving his best to instruct God’s people so they could enjoy the promise he would not be able to share with them. The final chapter of Deuteronomy tells us of Moses’ final hour.
“Now 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 …” Deuteronomy 34:1. “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab…” Deuteronomy 34:5-6.
Each of us has made mistakes, done or said things we regret, or left undone things we should have said or done. If you are reading this, it means God has given you another day. Make right the things you can and, like Moses, be faithful in what the Lord has given you to do today. Whatever your disappointments or setbacks, give your best to the Lord and “keep the faith” ’til the Lord calls you home.