The Explanation

Moses climbed a mountain. It was called Mount Nebo, all the way up to the top of Pisgah. His legs were old, one hundred twenty years old, but he still climbed. Why? Because God had told him to come and look.

From up there Moses could see everything. The land of Gilead, all the way to Dan. The land of Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, all the way to the sea. He saw Jericho, the city with the palm trees, and the land of Judah stretching out beyond it. It must have taken his breath away.

Then God spoke to him. "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, that I would give it to their children." God had promised this land a long, long time ago, even before Moses was born. Now Moses could finally see it with his own eyes.

But then God said something hard. "You shall not go over there." Moses would see the land, but he would not walk in it. Can you imagine that? Seeing your dream right in front of you, but not being allowed to take one step closer?

Moses died there, on the mountain, in the land of Moab. God himself buried him in a valley, and to this day nobody knows where the grave is. Not one person. It stayed a secret.

The people of Israel cried for Moses. They cried for thirty whole days. Thirty days is a long time to cry. Moses had led them out of Egypt, through the sea, through the desert. Now he was gone.

What Does This Mean?

Moses was not a small man in this story. His eyes were not dim, his strength had not left him, even at one hundred twenty years old. He was strong until the very end. Yet even strong Moses had to die, because that is what happens to every person on earth.

But God did not leave the people without a leader. Joshua was ready. Moses had placed his hands on him, and Joshua was filled with wisdom to lead. The people listened to him and did what God had commanded. God's plan did not stop just because Moses was gone.

The Common Thread

Nobody after Moses was ever like him. The Bible says so clearly: no prophet arose in Israel like Moses, who knew God face to face. He did signs and wonders that nobody could copy.

But here is something wonderful. Moses himself never entered the promised land. He could only look at it from far away. That makes you think, does it not? Someone greater was still coming. Someone who would not just see the promised land, but who would open the way into God's true promise for everyone, forever. That is Jesus. He did what Moses could not do. He leads people all the way in.

For You

Have you ever wanted to reach something, but were not able to get there yourself? Moses saw the land but could not walk in it. That must have felt strange, maybe even a little sad.

But God still took care of Moses. And God still took care of his people, through Joshua. God's plans are never stopped, not even by death. You can trust him with the things you cannot finish yourself. Maybe you can pray tonight and thank God that he always has someone ready, and that he never leaves his people without a way forward.

Talk About It

Why do you think God let Moses see the land, but not walk in it?

Have you ever had to trust someone else to finish something you started? How did that feel?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that you kept your promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thank you that your plans never stop, even when someone we love is gone. Help us to trust you like Moses did, all the way to the mountain. Amen.