Finally, the last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy. Moses was a great leader because he trusted his great God.

Obedient to the point of death

After Moses blessed the sons of Israel by each tribe, he obeyed the command of the LORD by immediately going up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo. At the end of Chapter 32, God commanded Moses to die on the mountain where he ascended, and Moses followed the command of the LORD fully and swiftly. Literally, Moses was obedient to the point of death – at least some resemblance to our LORD Jesus Christ, who was also obedient to the point of death, the death on the cross.

The LORD shows Moses the land

Why did the LORD show all the land to Moses? Perhaps, to fulfill Moses’ curiosity. It is possible to imagine that the LORD acted as Moses’ personal tour guide in His mercy and compassion. Although the LORD prohibited Moses from leading the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan, He still accommodated Moses’ longing as much as possible.

Were the lands and the part of Mediterranean Sea visible from the top of Mount Nebo? Yes, based on our google map and search, in a clear day, 50 kilometers (about 30 mile) can be seen without special help of binoculars. So yes, Moses was able to see all of them without a supernatural help from the LORD. 

What do you think was going through Moses’ heart and mind as he gazed on the land of Canaan? Jot down some of your thoughts as if you were Moses.

The LORD ultimately leads

Moses was a great leader. He led approximately 2 million grumbling people (estimated based on 600,000 adult males) into the wilderness for 40 years with an infinite amount of patience, including multiple crucial intercessory prayers to save them from the wrath of the LORD. However great Moses was, the ultimate leader had always been the LORD, their God. The LORD reminded Moses that this was the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors (Deut. 34:4). The LORD was, is, and will forever continue to be the ultimate leader.

The role that Moses played was clearly articulated in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 3:5 states that Moses was faithful in all His [God’s] house as a servant. Moses, although greatly venerated by the Jews, was still only a servant. The glory, honor, and praise belong to our God, and the LORD Jesus Christ.

The LORD buries Moses

Let’s recollect the process of Moses’ death chronologically. The LORD commanded Moses to go up to the mountain. Moses went up and the LORD showed all the land. Moses died on the mountain – presumably at the top of the mountain. The LORD carried Moses down and buried him in the valley, at the lower ground, in the land of Moab. No man knew the burial place. 

Amazing is the intimate, special treatment by the LORD on Moses. Duet 34:6 indicates that the LORD Himself buried Moses. Moses was the only person to be buried directly by the LORD God. Unfathomable.

The LORD commences

This was not it. The LORD raised up a new leader for the new conquest. Joshua was filled with the spirit (34:9) and the sons of the Israelites listened to him.

The LORD honors Moses

Although it was ultimately about the LORD, He made sure that Moses was honored. Moses was described as a man of God (Deut. 33:1) and the only person in history whom the LORD knew face to face (Exodus 33:11). The close, intimate relation between the LORD and Moses was manifested through the mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.