Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Q.1. Why did God allow Moses to see a panoramic view of the Promised Land? What would happen to his descendants? Why? Who buried Moses? – (Dt.34:1-6 c.f. Dt.32:48-52)
Moses had been a wonderful servant of God. He was granted blessings few have ever experienced – Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Dt.34:10). So – the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, `I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” (Dt.34:4). God would not take Moses home before allowing him to see all He had promised. However, God could not ignore the petulance of Moses – 51 because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel.” (Dt.32:51-52). Moses’ descendants would inherit the land, even as God had promised. Then – 5 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 man knows his burial place to this day (Dt.34:5-6). God Himself buried Moses.
Q.2. What made Moses unique in his days? Why would it not have helped Israel to know about his burial place? What made Joshua ready to replace Moses? (Dt.34:7-12)
Moses was the only man, of whom it was recorded that he was buried by God. The Lord extended a special blessing on His servant for – although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigour abated (Dt.34:7). Very few old saints are able to fully function until the day they die. Moses was unparalleled amongst men in history, for his amazing miracles – 11 for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel (Dt.34:11-12). Most of all, he was unique, in that – Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face (Dt.34:10). Because God buried the body of Moses, it was not possible for parts of his body to be venerated or worshiped (c.f. Dt.34:5-6). Moses had an outstanding disciple in Joshua, who was called by God, and trained by Moses – Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses (Dt.34:9 c.f. Ex.33:11). He had seen Moses in action firsthand.