THE LORD KNEW MOSES FACE TO FACE

Passage: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Key verse: 10

NIV

The Death of Moses

34 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo(A) from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah,(B) across from Jericho.(C) There the Lord showed(D) him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan,(E) 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea,(F) 3 the Negev(G) and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms,(H) as far as Zoar.(I) 4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath(J) to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob(K) when I said, ‘I will give it(L) to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross(M) over into it.”

5 And Moses the servant of the Lord(N) died(O) there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him[a] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor,(P) but to this day no one knows where his grave is.(Q) 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old(R) when he died, yet his eyes were not weak(S) nor his strength gone.(T) 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab(U) thirty days,(V) until the time of weeping and mourning(W) was over.

9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit[b] of wisdom(X) because Moses had laid his hands on him.(Y) So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.

10 Since then, no prophet(Z) has risen in Israel like Moses,(AA) whom the Lord knew face to face,(AB) 11 who did all those signs and wonders(AC) the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials(AD) and to his whole land. 12 For no one has(AE) ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds(AF) that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

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Footnotes
  1. Deuteronomy 34:6 Or He was buried
  2. Deuteronomy 34:9 Or Spirit
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Death of Moses

34 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab (A)to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah (B)as far as the western sea, 3 (C)the Negeb, and (D)the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho (E)the city of palm trees, as far as (F)Zoar. 4 And the Lord said to him, (G)“This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ (H)I have let you see it with your eyes, but (I)you shall not go over there.” 5 So 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 (J)no one knows the place of his burial to this day. 7 (K)Moses was 120 years old when he died. (L)His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel (M)wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of (N)the spirit of wisdom, for (O)Moses had laid his hands on him. So (P)the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not (Q)arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, (R)whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all (S)the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The God of Moses; the God of Joshua (1-9)

Moses had led his people for forty years, and now they were near the promised land: the land promised by God on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God's Spirit sustained Moses to serve his people with undiminished eyes and unwavering strength, but, now, his time was done. God allowed him to see the land from the mountain, and then Moses died and was buried. God's Spirit now filled Joshua son of Nun. God led his people in every generation: Abraham believed God's promises, Moses established the nation of Israel, and Joshua conquered the Promised Land. God is ruler over all history.

2. Moses was faithful to the LORD (1

-12)

Moses was unique among all God's people in the Old Testament, for he knew the LORD face to face. He was completely faithful to do all God sent him to do in Egypt as well as leading his people in the wilderness, performing God's awesome deeds. How blessed Israel was to have such a shepherd! Yet, we are more blessed to have Jesus, who is worthy of greater honor than Moses (Heb 3:3-6).

Prayer: Father, you have been faithful to your people in every generation, culminating in Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Help me give thanks today.

One Word: Be faithful to God in our generation