Deuteronomy Chapters 18-34
In our reading for this week, in Deuteronomy 18-34, I was thinking how difficult coming up with something would be. There are a lot of laws that Moses passed down to the people throughout most of these chapters, and talking about laws doesn’t make for “fun” reading. Then, I got to chapter 34 that talks about the death of Moses and how God showed him “…the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it. ‘” (34:4) and I couldn’t help but think about all the things that Moses did in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. I think about how Moses was able to speak to God, to witness the great miracles that God performed in getting the Israelites out of Egypt and as they traveled for 40 years, the battles they won and the list could go on. Then I read in 34:18 how “…Israel grieved for Moses…for 30 days…” WHY? Why would the Israelites mourn for someone they complained about and failed to listen to many times?
In our reading for this week, in Deuteronomy 18-34, I was thinking how difficult coming up with something would be. There are a lot of laws that Moses passed down to the people throughout most of these chapters, and talking about laws doesn’t make for “fun” reading. Then, I got to chapter 34 that talks about the death of Moses and how God showed him “…the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it. ‘” (34:4) and I couldn’t help but think about all the things that Moses did in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. I think about how Moses was able to speak to God, to witness the great miracles that God performed in getting the Israelites out of Egypt and as they traveled for 40 years, the battles they won and the list could go on. Then I read in 34:18 how “…Israel grieved for Moses…for 30 days…” WHY? Why would the Israelites mourn for someone they complained about and failed to listen to many times?
The answer is in 34:10-12 “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt – to Pharaoh and all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the
mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” This is some pretty high praise for a sheep herder (Exodus 3:1), for someone who claimed to be “slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10), for someone who didn’t want to listen to God (Exodus 4:13) All this makes me wonder about all the times that I have failed to listen to God, how many times that I want God to send someone else because I don’t think I am skilled enough to do it. And all God says is trust me because all things are possible!Are you listening and trusting God? If we only listen and follow Him, what kind of things can we accomplish for His kingdom? If God can use a donkey (Numbers 22:21-31) to accomplish His will, just think of what He can do through those He created in is own image!
Donald & Tracy Bowling
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