The Death of Moses, public domain
We've been reading through Numbers for the last few months during Family Worship. Today, we finished it. While I am aware that Deuteronomy is important, I've decided to move on to Joshua--to pick up the narrative of God's covenant with Israel and the events in the land of promise. However, we did read from chapters 5 and 34 of Dueteronomy before starting Joshua.
As we read the account of the death of Moses, I noticed some fidgeting next to me. I turned to address it and noticed that Elliot was trying very hard not to cry...he was not succeeding.
Sometimes as we read, we don't really appreciate the reality of what it is we're reading. Elliot reminded us that this was indeed a sad day. Not just for the Israelites, but for us as a family. We've been following him through God's word for many, many months; but now Moses would be gone from our lives--burried by God in an unmarked grave, tended by angelic hands, awaiting the resurrection.
From Deuteronomy 34
Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.
But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face...
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. |
Aug. 16, 2007 - tears here as well...