A History Lesson - Pt. 2

 

[Moses said] “And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the Lord said to me, ‘Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’ So we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.” (Deuteronomy 3:23-29 ESV).  

 

Again we see the importance of the context and history of our reading today. It comes as a result of God denying Moses entry into the Promised Land. "Because of you," Moses complained, "the Lord was angry with me ..." Out in the desert some time earlier there had been no water, again, and the people had challenged Moses' leadership. "Why did you bring us out here where there is no food or water?" they cried. God had then told Moses to speak to the rock in front of them, and it would gush with water. But in anger Moses had hit the rock. So God said, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me ... you will not bring this community into the land" (Numbers 20:12). In short, the end does not justify the means… ever!

 

I hear a lot of that sentiment today in regard to what we have seen and heard from leadership across both the religious and political spectrums. What I don’t hear is the truth of God in answer to these claims. There is ample casting of blame from every segment of our society; however, I find very little acceptance of responsibility. We should listen and learn from the example of Moses. He did make a mistake. He did repent. However, he also was obedient to take the last word of God to its conclusion.

 

Moses had brought Israel out of Egypt, led them through the desert, spoken God's words to them, and suffered the burden of Israel's many complaints and rebellions. Now his last task would be to remind the people of what happened in the desert with the God of their salvation. Then Joshua would finish what Moses had begun forty years earlier.

Moses, Joshua, and a host of other leaders served God, but none could fully complete the work God had given them. God gave that ministry to a prophet even greater than Moses: Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (cf. Hebrews 12:2). Let's thank God that Jesus is better than anyone at doing the will of God our heavenly Father-and that he did so for all who would call on his name. Speak to the Rock!