20140127 Monday, January 27 2014
Deuteronomy 34: The Passage Of Moses

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face"

The death of Moses was a national event for Israel: "Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days." It was a time of victory and transition (see From Moses And Aaron To Joshua and Eleazar) from the point that Moses, the servant of the LORD (Who was and is Jesus Christ - see Genesis 1: In The Beginning Was The Word and The Kingdom Of The LORD God), had delivered the children of the Exodus generation (see Deuteronomy 1: Why A Book Of Deuteronomy In The Bible?).

"34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 34:2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, 34:3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 34:8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 34:11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 34:12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel." (Deuteronomy 34:1-12 KJV)

Although no human knows where the body of Moses was buried, it is guarded by angels more powerful than Satan, who tried to abuse it.

"1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." (Jude 1:9 KJV)

The death of Moses was not merely a passing, but a passage. Moses still awaits his resurrection, that for him will occur on the day of the Messiah's return - which from his conscious perspective (i.e. the dead have no sense of the passage of time), will have happened instantly at the moment of his death (see the Fact Finder question below). On that day, Moses will again be with the LORD that he knew "face to face." That certainty was stated in the famous "transfiguration" vision of the future Kingdom of God on Earth. Moses will make it to the Promised Land.

"17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." (Matthew 17:1-9 KJV)

Fact Finder: When is the first resurrection going to happen? When is the second resurrection going to happen?
See The Harvest Prophecies and The Eighth Day: Empty Cemeteries