The Death of Moses

In the early hours of 1 January 1919, a British ship called the Lola which is Gillick for Eagle was copying sailors home from the first world war, called the great war 1914 to 1980.

So this happened on 1 January 1919. The ship was taking a back to their home island island of Lewis a part of the Western Islands in Scotland.

You can imagine the anticipation, the and the excitement of these men as they approach their home. There were almost a short they were anticipating being united with their wives and fiancés their moms and dies their brothers and sisters and friends and the grandparents but within sight of the lights of their home. In fact, only 50 yards from shore. The ship hit treacherous rocks and 201 of these men were lost. Yes, insight of their home in the morning.

Many of the bodies were seen as they were washed ashore.

The toys and gifts that they were bringing for the parents for the children were seen washed on the shore.

In one case, one young, one young man was found in the end there was an engagement ring in his pocket so remarkable a poignant story of man who traveled a long distance of manhood fought for the country and what now just about to come home.

In fact, they could see the very lights of the home and they died right there. The tragedy was called the crying sorrow of the war and I thought of that story. A story of shoe.

But if you feel you have. I thought of the story when studying for this include concluding message in the series of the life of Moses here is one of the outstanding men of the Bible. This is the man Moses, who led the children from Egyptian slavery. This is a man who'd celebrated the Passover would lead them through the Red Sea. This is their leader, their wonderful leader who, in spite of the peoples grumbling had led them through the wilderness for 40 years and had brought them rights to the very edge of the promised lands when he dies within sight. We might say of the lights of the promised land.

Moses was never to go into the promised land. The bones of Joseph. If you know your Bible's remembered Joseph as he was dying had instructed that his bones would be taken out of Egypt and would be buried in the promised land is indeed the word but not so for Moses. Moses sees the promised land, but he never enters it, and his body is not burned is not cremated.

He has a unique burial is were going to read he's vetted by God east of the Jordan near my neighbor.

Some of us just a few years ago as a rent to the holy land. We went into Jordan and and stood there, stood there where Moses and the children of Israel would've been and there you can see your rights into Israel right opposite Jericho. There, the Jordan Valley and that we Lutheran we could see so much of Israel. In fact, it was side of the clear day you could look north and see the magnificent minds and range of mind, I want to needs with you the last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy that I don't if you're at home you're pretty comfortable. But if you got your Bible Avenue, together with the needle on the Scripture because this is a remarkable story.

This is a remarkable man. I don't 31st of all the divine commentary on the life of Moses here this in Deuteronomy 34 then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to mind Nebo to the top of to Scott, which is opposite Jericho and the Lord shows him all the land.

This is a promised land delay. This file is down this way to the north. All NAFTA log land of airframe and Manasseh, all the land of Judah.

As far as the Western Sea is the Mediterranean. The negative on the plane that is the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees as far as our Lord said to him, this is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to your offspring. I have let you see it with your eyes but you shall not go over there 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 the valley in the land of more opposite Beth PR but no one knows the place of his burial. To this day Moses was 120 years old when he died as I was undimmed in the spigot unabated and the people of Israel wept for Moses in the flames of more perfect. Today's then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended and Joshua the son of nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on them, so the people obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. And that is not there is no profit since an Israelite Moses and the Lord you face-to-face none like him for all the signs and wonders of the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt and Pharaoh and to all the sediments and always land and for all his mighty power and all the great deeds of data that Moses did in the site of all Israel, the divine commentary summarizing the life of this remarkable man. Moses not permitted. However, to enter the promised land between the reader by that. Why God didn't a lot of this might demand this great man man who knew God face-to-face how we didn't allow them to go into the promised land than I wanted to look at the cup with themes from the life of Moses. Let's go back to numbers numbers chapter 20 and going to see why Moses is not permitted to enter the promised land numbers 20 verse one the people of Israel the whole congregation came into the wilderness of Zen in the first month and the people stayed in kiddush and Miriam was assistant died there and was buried there. No, there was no water for the congregation and they assemble themselves against Moses and against Aaron and the people quarreled with Moses and said, would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord, why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness that we should die here.

Both we and their counsel and why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place is no place for greater figs are vines or pomegranates, and there's no water to drink, and on this verse six. Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting the tabernacle and fell on their faces, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them of the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, take the staff at December the congregation you and Aaron your brother and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water so you shall bring water tonight of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation on their capital. Moses took the staff from before the Lord as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assemble assembly together before the rock. He said to them, here, now, you rebels.

Shall we bring water for you out of this rock and Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff.

Twice on water Might abundantly in the congregation drank of the livestock and the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, because you did not believe in me to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land. I've given them. These are the waters of map of Manitoba for the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord and through them. He showed himself holy business remarkable. Here are the children of Israel quarreling with Moses and questioning why he had led them from Egypt. They say to this evil place and there's no water. And Moses does.

First of all, as a large instruction he stole to take his stuff and to tell the rock to yield its water. But as we read Moses instead of speaking to the rock in his anger and his frustration with the people he strikes the rock twice in direct disobedience to the Lord.

However, the Israelites still receive water. Verse 11 is this is abundantly God is gracious even when we disobey him. People can still be blessed by election actions of Moses were in unbelief and attack on the holiness and the glory of God direct disobedience and for this reason is not going to bring the people into the promise land would you think about that getting the Lord is rather harsh, but such was the importance of the leading of God portraying the holiness of the Lord to the people I'm doing as God commanded Moses that he doesn't enter the promise land.

As you read the book of Deuteronomy is interesting to note that three times. Moses says he will not enter the lien and in each case, he blames the people, for example in Deuteronomy chapter 4 Deuteronomy 4 – 21. We need this. Furthermore, the Lord was angry with me because of you blaming the people at the sword I should not cross the Jordan Jordan River that you had to cross to get into the promised land that I should not enter the good land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance fried must die in this land. I shall not go over the Jordan, but you shall go over and take possession of that good lad Moses. It is in no doubt the doctor told him, definitively, Moses because of your actions are not going to go into the promised land. So he sees as it were, the lights of the land he sees the beauty of the land God reveals it to them in the wonderful Vantage part parting looking over the Jordan Valley, but he doesn't enter now as we conclude this series on the life of Moses to be good to think of themes are selected four of them that I think are emphasized in the life of Moses and is he teaches them to the people. The first is the theme of remembrance over and over again in the book of Deuteronomy the people are told to remember not to forget there will always remember the Lord's guidance.

There always to remember the Lord's provision and most important of all, they were never ever to forget that once there were slaves in Egypt. They were always to remember that redemption from their slavery and the redemption of Israel from slavery and the deliverance of the Red Sea is the pivotal events of the Old Testament, which is referred to write Scripture all over and over again, particularly in the Psalms, and it is memorialized in the Passover feast example Deuteronomy 15 verse 15 you shall remember is Moses to the people that you were a slave in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. Therefore I command you this day. Chapter 16 verse three usually no leavened bread within seven days usually do it with unleavened bread, the black, the bread of affliction for you Kim I got the land of Egypt in haste that all the days of your life. You may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt. Verse 12 you shall remember. Deuteronomy 16 you shall remember the sword. Remember that you would a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. Chapter 24 verse 18, but you shall remember that you are a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there.

Verse 22 you shall remember that you're a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I command you to do this and in the right say the religious year of Israel right to this day, that is the Passover so that they would never forget two things once there were slaves in Egypt and secondly God redeemed the this would keep them humble. This would make sure that their focus is on God that it was the Lord who had led them out of Egypt know if the pivotal event in the Old Testament is a redemption through the Red Sea, was a pivotal event in the New Testament while it's obviously the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the whole of Scripture is finding forward to our magnificent Lord Jesus Christ and in the New Testament are Lord institutes of fees, not the Passover somewhat similar to the Passover, but the in situ. It's what we call communion. The breaking of bread, the Lord's supper and Paul as he deals with it in first Corinthians 11. What does he say from the lips of our Lord. This do in remembrance of me.

We have in the life of the church. This ordinance so that we would never ever forget the cross that we would never ever forget that once we were under the bondage of slavery. Nathaniel has told us his own testimony, but even as a little boy. He knew he was wrong. He was in bondage.

She was a sinful little boy and he has never forgotten the remarkable grace of God which reached on the boy in Jamaica and in his grace has saved us.

But notice the focus of communion. This do in remembrance of me. Great is our individual salvation is the focus is on Christ.

It is what Christ has done through his death on the cross as our substitute through his burial and that's where singing without living Hope that song that he has been raised from the dead and we are eternally united with him. We must never forget our Savior. The theme of remembrance. Secondly, Moses emphasizes in Deuteronomy. The theme of abrasions, even though he is going to be the subregion. Deuteronomy chapter 4 so that your Bibles there. Deuteronomy 4 chapter 4 verse one. Here's Moses to the people are not always there to listen to the statutes and the rules that I'm teaching your and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land of the Lord, the God of your fathers giving you. You shall not add to the word that I command you not take from it that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. Chapter 10 verse 12 and now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways to love him to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord which I am commanding you today for your good. Chapter 30 Deuteronomy 30 verse 19 languages of your Bible. Deuteronomy 30 verse 19 is Moses again to the people I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days that you may dwell in the land of the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abram, to Isaac and to Jacob to give them notice this is a Deuteronomy is the second reading of the law. The law was originally given.

Remember back connects this 20 at Mount Sinai gone through the wilderness and that I was at about to enter the promised land. But before they go into the promised land. Moses is giving them a reiteration of the law.

He's emphasizing the law over and over again so that they will know the law that it will be impressed on their hearts that all righted on the doorpost that they will teach it to their children so that they will obey the Lord Moses knew the cost of disobeying the Lord and the word here Hebrew word Shema occurs 30 times in Deuteronomy and the word obey, or sometimes translated keep occurs, 100 times. So Moses is sitting to people, listen up. This is important hero Israel and give it all, listen, this is God speaking. And obey the Lord over and over again. Obedience is key. The book of Deuteronomy see the importance of obeying God difficult for us is you and abrasions child of God should listing your semi-father Jesus Christ are your Bijan Jesus says if you love me you will keep my commandments.

John 14 verse 12 John 1421 he who has my commandments and keeps them here. It is who loves me my love for my Savior, as demonstrated by whether or not I will Bijan know what I say not what I profess my when I sing about. Not what I even I teach and preach about but without humbly abrasions to the Lord. John 1423. If anyone loves me, he will keep my words and in Matthew 28 as Jesus commissions his disciples to make disciples of all the nations. He says to them, teaching them new believers in discipleship making teaching them to observe all that I commanded you with his Jesus wants instant obedience.

Local beaches said this morning as we began the service. The importance of this book. This word of God at Calvary. I would tend to the difficult circumstances that the fall of the world to listen to so-called contemporary wisdom to be on the right side of history. So-called but as followers of Jesus Christ in every situation we tighten to this book and say what does God say not what you say no when I say but what some group says that what some politician says not with the president says, but what does God say and to ignore the word of God and to keep it. This pleases our heavenly father, your father or mother. You know you're pleased with your children obey your and our heavenly father is pleased when we obey him, and so this is the theme of Moses over and over again, the theme of remembrance for the theme of abrasions and vent choice choice. Moses was a man who made a wise choice that you made the mistakes we made a wise choice. Yes I believe in God sovereignty but also believe in human responsibility and human choice. At the age of 14. Remember Moses had a very important decision to make these raised in the palace of Pharaoh did all the pleasures and treasures of Egypt at his disposal, but we rate he refused to be called the son of Abram of sorry he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin, he considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the great reward of clothing from Hebrews 11 the choice for two years old, brought up in Pharaoh's palace with all of the pleasures with all of the treasures of it. He had made.

He had it all.

We would say what more can a man of 40 wants no he says I'm going to identify with my people.

I'm going to make a choice to follow the Lord you made the choice of you, I have decided to follow Jesus. Jesus said if anyone comes after me, let him deny self to companies across and follow me.

You made the choice to follow Christ in total commitment.

So many people dabble of the Christian mind doing a little bit of Jesus, but also in the little bit of that themselves in a little bit of the world know that's not how it works. Make a decision to follow Christ read from the sermon on the Mount earlier today but Jesus said, you can serve two masters W serving Jesus has come, follow me, are you going to respond as Moses responded the life of following the Lord remembrance of Bijan's choice and faith. Of course, Moses lived by faith and for that returning to the gray chapter on faith in Hebrews 11 Hebrews 1123 and though this references to faith.

Hebrews 1123 by faith Moses when he was born was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. His parents live by faith, by faith here.

This Moses when he was growing up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin, he considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth in the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the award by faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the caring for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkle the blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them by faith.

The people crossed the Red Sea is on dry land by the Egyptians were drowned when they attempted to do the same and so on. By faith, by faith. He was a man who knows God.

A man who lived by faith and remarkable circumstances delivering the people going through the Red Sea as we read living by faith.

In Deuteronomy 34 which I read it said of Moses, that the Lord knew him, and he knew the Lord face to face. That's a close relationship is to know someone face to face edges straight to someone face to face at me Mrs. with a culvert 19 when not isolated and we can do the zoom is not the same but if I said I spoke with so-and-so face-to-face that that's talking about the close relationship is a deep friendship, but just knowing someone but Moses knew the Lord face to face. In fact, you may recall the situations where his sister and brother were jealous of him because the Lord was speaking to Moses rather than them, but Moses was the only one of the Lord spoke to face to face. A man of faith, a man who knew God a friend of God recently called a friend of mine who lives way the northern islands, the Shetland Islands and I spoke to his wife and she just handed the phone over to my friend that I didn't have the nine so I was. He knew my voice because many years ago.

We spent a lot of time together. We spoke face-to-face we we communed someone I trust someone who who trust me there's a deep, deep friendship that friendship with God that comes from faith isn't without faith it is impossible to please God.

Have you seen God working in your life in the past that you stepped out in faith that you believe God is ashy to do something and you have trusted them your make sure I was going to turn out but you have trusted God and you love spending time with God in his word and prayer. Jesus will speaks in John 15 that I haven't called you servants, no I've called you my friends, so I would like to live. I know that's how you would like to live if you're a follower of Jesus to live this life of faith, day by day following Christ, becoming more and more like Christ's, so that Jesus would save you. This is my friend you had that experience. A friend of yours is an producer to someone and said no this is my friend is a wonderful commendation. Isn't it to be a friend of God will hear in Deuteronomy 34's we get back at the last chapter of Judah Moses is 120 years old, that's old is about to die. But God has his purposes, and plans and God's purposes and God's plan. Don't die with his servants, God has been preparing successor for Abraham thought Moses. Rather, for many years, who's going to take the place of Moses that these special no one, no one can fill his shoes. But Moses has an assistance young man called Joshua son of nun the way back and ask this 33 we read that this young man didn't depart from the tent to the tabernacle. Today we would say that Moses had been mentoring Joshua and the numbers at chapter 27 move one greeted but you can read their there's a remarkable incident where Joshua is commissions by Moses, but Moses puts his hands on Joshua and realizes that great man. Although Moses was not allowed to go into the promised land, but Joshua this young government and at this man who'd been in battle against the Amalekites. You may recall, he is going to be the successor of Moses and he's going to lead the people into the land we see here in Deuteronomy 34 verse nine, Joshua the son of nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on you and could be a little scared to follow Moses the nova page next pages. Joshua 108 Joshua one – five.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with that wonderful use. All I did with Moses, just as I was with Moses be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them only be strong and very courageous been careful to do. This, again, according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you not come from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success. Whatever you go this book of the law shall not depart from your mind, for you shall meditate on it day and night is wonderful but not servants die. But God's plans and purposes continue and Godric has raised up and has prepared this man Joshua fills it with a spirit commissioned by Moses and go forward into the land is going to be enemies. Joshua I want you to be strong and courageous and remembered Don depart from the law of the Lord. I want you to know the law.

I want you to meditate on it day and night. I don't want you to depart from it. Don't think you are wise of the law of God, one part from it to the right or to the left, but keep on straight and you have great success. Joshua wonderful to Moses's mission of bringing the people to the promised land is fulfilled. God servants die. But God's work continues and Joshua is going to lead the people into the promised land with Calvary believe very much in what we call the next generation we train Pastor Pearson gave his testimony is is very strong on this, and rightly so in discipleship making that we are equipping others, other leaders, other teachers, Pastor Hathaway, their worship ministry worked with so many like band lettuce this evening preparing others so that God's work will continue. When we have gone is the biblical process it said of Moses that he endured as seeing him who is invisible is a Moses fulfilled his mission in life pitiful life he experienced opposition Egypt and Egypt experienced opposition from the people of God in the wilderness, but he endured. He didn't give up. Moses didn't know anything about retirement here is another hundred and 20.

In Deuteronomy 34 and we read. That is, I was undimmed and is very good unabated. I think this is marvelous of Moses that he continues serving God right to the end until he dies is not what we all want to ensure to keep on serving the Lord's of ministry may change, but as long as God places us here on were going to live for his glory. But I've lived with Moses now for a few months I began the series on September 8, 2019. And on this last message to think of his day for think of them dying Moses dying. This is so point is manhood done so much, he dies singularly lights is one of the promised land is a Moses saw the land that had been promised Moses knew that God through Abraham and Isaac and Jacob were given this covenant, that he was going to give them a land and that you Moses are going to have the privilege of leaving the people right to the edge of the promised land. And God is always true to his promises and Moses fulfills his ministry comes right to the edge of the land know he didn't enter the promised land, but in the sense something great happened to Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration.

We read in Matthew 17 that the Lord was transfigured, there were two characters with them. One was Elijah and the other was yes Moses. Moses is the prophet Lord says here that is not driven a profit since in Israel like Moses is a prophet in Deuteronomy 18 Moses tells of another profit coming a greater profit than him and he said it is him as you listen to and I were in the minds of Transfiguration. Moses is in the promised land is with a greater profit of Lord Jesus not only as a prophet, was also pleased and the king fulfills all of the ministries and the offices of Israel.

The prophet, the priest and the king and on the minds of Transfiguration. God says of his son, something he could never say of Moses. This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him in the sermon on the mind we been learning that Jesus is the interpreter of the Mosaic law.

He is the fulfillment of the Mosaic law is the prophet, priest and king know we have going on right now about whether or not statutes as should be removed so in the United Kingdom that there's a movement to take done at the start. You have of Churchill because some of these use are quite wrong.

Well, Churchill or someone I know little bit about it and all the criticisms that I've had over the last few days. None of them come as a shock to me at his views on India.

His views on the different things as well known over the life of this man, particularly in the pressure of war he he dictated literally thousands of memorandum and I'm sure that our things as people go through them that they said it was just terrible at this abundant and it is true wanted to dine the statute when the call them racist well when you think why is it that was nice that you to Moses, God buries him and no one knows where Moses is buried and as you think.

Throughout history of all of the great men and women who have lived yes some of them have statutes raised to them whether you think of the great characters in Scripture like Moses over every single one. We could write failure. I was in our cemetery yesterday for the funeral and good and I walked around and looked and read some of the names on the tombstones. Many of them have passed since I began to pastor here and I know many of them some.

I don't know but for every single one. I know I could point out something wrong with the person, but over the imperfections.

I could write saved by grace, saved by grace. I don't care who you select in biblical history on the history of the world. Whoever it is even the greatest of the prophets like Moses, even this great man. This man of God who performed miracles was a friend of God, who spoke to God face-to-face who went up the mountain and received the law of God written with the finger of God.

Could you imagine a man like that and over his life.

We can write failure and Moses you're not going to going to the promised land because your sins. Every single one of us. That's the point of the stories of the Bible and every single one of them is saying send you undertake Abraham you undertaking David you undertake Peter in the New Testament you want to take Paul you want to find fault with them.

Yes, you will find fault with the you want to take pastor Pierce Pastor Hathaway and Pastor Monroe unloaded our lives in Cesar anything wrong with these men. And the answer is yes, there is much that is wrong with this is why the Lord Jesus Christ. The perfect Christ the beautiful Christ, the one who is a greater profit than Moses, the one who is the greater increase than that in the end the one who is David's greatness on the greatest of the kings of Israel are magnificent Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and he's the only one who can forgive your sins.

He's the only one who can take you to God he's the only one who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That's why in heaven who will rephrasing when appraising Churchill when appraising Moses will not even praising Abraham what not bowing down to any man listen to the words of magnificent words. John says I looked is in heaven and I had to bind the throne and the living creatures and the elders. The voice of many angels now numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice where they who is worthy worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing and I had every creature in heaven and on the house and under the end of the sea and all that is in them, saying to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.

And the living creatures said amen and the elders fell down and worship. We have only one God. There's only one we worship.

There's only one perfect man, the man Christ Jesus our Lord Jesus Christ, you know, if no we fold on the admit that your sinful person look to the cross and receive forgiveness. If you are forgiven. May you pursue Christ and love Christ more and more and join and look forward to that great day when with all of the redeemed.

We will sing worthy is the Lamb that was slain. Meantime, we are to live by faith were to be friends of God to bring their eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith. Her father in their God, we thank you for the life of Moses. This great man this great prophet is incredible leader. This man of faith who spoke with you face-to-face. And yet he failed.

And so didn't enter the promised land.

And I have failed and we've all failed and we thank you that our Savior came not to condemn us what the Savior said to deliver us from slavery greater than Egypt and maybe by faith look to him, he says, look to me all the ends of the earth and the you saved may each person know what it is to be saved by faith and to live by faith we ask in Christ name