Numbers 12:3 "(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)"

Some actually do return to the scene. That would be my regular habit and I am doing so again, on this day, Monday, February 24, 2020. Yesterday, it was my distinct privilege to close out our study of the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy. That writing contains Moses' encouragement, warnings, and his repeating of God's laws to the nation of Israel on the threshold of their entering into the Promised Land. My lesson dealt with the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord. He did not die of old age even though he was 120. He did not die because he was unable to go on because he still had the strength and vigor of a young man. He died because it was time according to the word of the Lord. He had passed the baton of leadership to Joshua and it now became time for Moses to leave this world for his eternal home. His death was not like any other in The Scriptures. He had been told because of his disobedience in striking the rock in anger instead of speaking to it as God commanded, that he would not be allowed to go with the children of Israel into the Promised Land. That day came. His final day here on earth. He pronounced blessings on the tribes. He then responded to the call of God to come up to the mountain top. It is estimated the climb would have been some 4,000 feet. He did as he was commanded. Here is that testimony of exactly what happened, from Deuteronomy Chapter 34:

1)Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, 2) all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3)the South, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4)Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” 5) So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. 6) And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. 7) Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. 8 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. 9)Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10) But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11)in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, 12)and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

The boldings were added by me. You may not be familiar with this passage. I have taught it a number of times. It is about a man who became a servant of the Lord. Most are familiar with his story as it is portrayed in books and movies. However, the title of the servant of the Lord was a very special designation for a very special individual. His life was unique. Forty years in Egypt. Forty years in the desert. And, finally, forty years of leading God's people. Someone said Moses while living in Egypt thought he was somebody and God put him in the backside of the desert where he became a nobody. God then took the humbled nobody and made him one of the greatest servants of the Lord in history. And, if his life was unique, even more so his death. Think about it. His funeral was performed by God Himself along with his private burial. We are drawn to the pomp and circumstance of royal funerals, but, this one transcends those of kings, presidents, and all so-called famous people.

Here's my take. Reading through this passage including the last day of the life and times of Moses, the servant of the Lord, well, it made me want to take off my shoes for surely we stand on Holy Ground when we see how God loves His own. Before he died, God personally showed him the land he would not be able to enter. Some believe God showed him the land in a supernatural way because it was 165 miles of territory. I don't know about that but I do know it was by God's grace that Moses got to see the Promised Land. And, he died. How? We don't know. Did he lay down and go to sleep? We don't know but we do know that Moses died according to the word of the Lord. I don't know about you, but, this is one amazing revelation of the relationship one can have with the Lord God of heaven. I'm still trying to process it all. Maybe, and I emphasize the maybe here, I will ask Brother Moses when I see him in person. Amen. .....More later.