I learned all about how Moses couldn't understand why God would choose him and that maybe God should choose Aaron to carry out his plan because Moses didn't feel qualified. I remember all those things, but somehow managed to miss something that to many people is probably obvious . . . like I said, I'm not an Old Testament scholar . . . I'm allowed to overlook the obvious from time to time.
Anyway, I've plodded my way through Leviticus and Numbers and have made it to Deuteronomy. I love how in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses kind of recaps what the people already know and how it helps them and us to relive all of those things. Whether it be Moses telling the people something more than once, or God telling Moses something and then Moses passing it on to the people, it seems that there should be no way you could miss the message God is trying to get across.
Of course, God knew that no matter what he did for the Israelite people there would be many times when they would turn their back on him. And it's easy for us to judge their lack of faithfulness to a God who proved over and over his power and provision for them and overlook the fact that we ourselves do exactly the same thing.
But the thing that intrigues me the most about Moses is how he followed God and led the people, all the while knowing that he would not get the reward of entering the Promised Land.
That is the obvious thing that I missed!
Here it is in Deuteronomy 1:37, " . . . He said to me, 'Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land!"
What?! I think I would have thrown my hands up and said, "Fine! I quit! What's the use of leading these complaining and disobedient people, eating manna, walking through the wilderness, and doing everything you've asked and not get the benefit of seeing it through to the end? That's just not right!"
Moses didn't do that.
Instead he continued to lead and he even encouraged the people as they got closer to the time when they would cross the Jordan River into the land God had promised their ancestors. I don't know if I could do what he did or say what he said to the people.
When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all the people of Israel, he said, "I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me, 'You will not cross the Jordan River.' But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised. . . . So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." . . . Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, "Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them." (Deuteronomy 31:1-7)
Does it make you wonder if that's why God chose Moses in the first place? He knew Moses would be faithful even though he would not get to benefit in the end.
I'm still pondering what exactly I am supposed to gain from all of this. I mean, trying to compare anything in my life to Moses seems ridiculous! Is God trying to teach me something about being like Moses? Or am I supposed to gain something from Moses' words to the Israelites? It certainly is reassuring to hear that "the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
Maybe it's both . . . Maybe I need to ask myself if God has placed me in a position where I need to have the faithfulness and diligence of Moses. Maybe God is trying to tell me to be faithful even if the outcome doesn't appear to be what I had hoped for. Maybe God is encouraging me to keep going and not give up.
What is it for you? Are you finding yourself in the position of a Moses? Or are you having to be strong and courageous as you trust the Lord's faithfulness?
I think if I got the chance to talk to Moses I would ask him why he remained faithful through everything, even knowing that he would not be given the chance to experience walking into the Promised Land.
I don't know what he would say, but I like to imagine that he might say something as simple as, "When God asked me to lead, he showed me his power. When God asked me to follow, he showed me his faithfulness. He never failed me nor abandoned me. Who am I to question a God like that?"
