Introduction
Moses is one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament. He led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
However, despite his many accomplishments, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Instead, he died before the Israelites could cross the Jordan River. In this blog post, we will explore how Moses died in the Bible.
The Sin of Moses
Viral Believer is reader-supported. We may earn a small fee from products we recommend at no charge to you. Read Our Affiliate Disclosuree
Before we can understand how Moses died, we must first look at why he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. The story begins in the book of Numbers, where the Israelites are wandering in the wilderness. They come to a place called Kadesh, where there is no water. The people start to complain and rebel against Moses, saying that they would have been better off staying in Egypt. God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water, but instead, Moses strikes the rock twice with his staff. Water still comes out, but God is not pleased with Moses’ disobedience.
In Numbers 20:12, God tells Moses, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” This is the moment when Moses learns that he will not be able to enter the Promised Land.
Moses’ disobedience may seem like a minor mistake, but it was a serious offense in the eyes of God. God had specifically instructed Moses to speak to the rock, but instead, he struck it with his staff. This may seem like a small deviation from God’s command, but it was an act of disobedience that demonstrated a lack of trust in God’s provision. Moses’ sin had consequences, and it cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land.
Moses’ Final Days
After the incident at Kadesh, the Israelites continue to wander in the wilderness for many years. During this time, Moses continues to lead the people and receives further instructions from God. In Deuteronomy 34, we read about the final days of Moses‘ life.
Moses is now 120 years old, and his eyesight is failing. God tells him to climb to the top of Mount Nebo, where he will be able to see the Promised Land. Moses obeys, and from the top of the mountain, he sees the land that God has promised to the Israelites. However, God also tells Moses that he will not be able to enter the land.
In Deuteronomy 34:5-6, we read, “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.” The Bible does not provide many details about Moses’ death, but we know that he died in Moab and was buried in a secret location.
It is interesting to note that Moses’ death was not unexpected. In fact, he knew that he would not be able to enter the Promised Land, and he had already appointed Joshua as his successor. Despite this, Moses continued to serve God and lead the people faithfully until the very end. His final act of obedience was to climb to the top of Mount Nebo and see the land that he had longed to enter.
The Legacy of Moses
Despite the fact that Moses was not able to enter the Promised Land, his legacy continued to influence the Israelites for generations. He was revered as a great prophet and leader, and his teachings and writings formed the basis of the Jewish faith.
In the New Testament, Moses is also held in high regard. In Matthew 17, we read about the Transfiguration, where Jesus appears with Moses and Elijah. This event demonstrates the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and the importance of Moses’ role in God’s plan of salvation.
Moses’ legacy has also had an impact on Christianity. His writings and teachings form a significant part of the Old Testament, and many of his stories and lessons are still studied and taught today. In addition, his role as a leader and prophet foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who would lead His people out of slavery to sin and into eternal life.
Lessons from Moses’ Death
Moses’ death teaches us several important lessons. First and foremost, it reminds us of the seriousness of disobedience. Even though Moses had led the Israelites for many years and had performed many miracles, his disobedience at Kadesh was enough to disqualify him from entering the Promised Land. This should serve as a warning to all of us to take our obedience to God seriously and to always strive to please Him in all that we do.
Secondly, Moses’ death also reminds us of the brevity of life. Moses lived to be 120 years old, but even that is a relatively short amount of time compared to eternity. We must make the most of the time that we have and use it to serve God and make a difference in the world.
Finally, Moses’ death reminds us that our ultimate goal is not the Promised Land or any other earthly reward, but rather, it is to be with God in heaven. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, but he is now in the presence of God. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him so that we can one day be with Him in heaven.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Moses’ death is a reminder to us of the seriousness of disobedience, the brevity of life, and the ultimate goal of being with God in heaven. We may not know all the details of how Moses died, but we do know that his legacy lived on and continues to influence us today. Let us learn from his example of faithfulness to God and strive to follow in his footsteps, trusting in God’s plan for our lives and looking forward to the day when we will be with Him forever.
