Page 135 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

Moses ends his song and warns the people to take the words
of the song to heart, teaching them to their children. They are
not idle words but bring life (vv. 44-47). The seriousness of the
situation is underscored by the final words of God to Moses.
“Go up to Mount Nebo, view Canaan, and die” (vv. 48-50)!
Just like the rest of the generation that came out of Egypt, just
like all generations, Moses deserved death. He had “broken
faith” with God and did not uphold God’s holiness. He could
see the land but not enter (vv. 51-52). God’s judgment on
Moses is an exclamation point for all Israel. God does not play Fig. 129: Mount Nebo
favorites. The soul that sins will die. Since all die, the only
alternative is God’s Rock, making atonement for sin. The choice is clear, stark, and remains before us to
this very day.

Deuteronomy has one last poem. Moses blesses Israel. In verse after verse he assures the people of
God’s good intention. He addresses each tribe in order with words of prophecy. “They promise
continued existence (v. 6); priestly prerogatives (v. 10); safety (v. 11); choice gifts (vv. 13-16); affluence
(vv. 18-19); reward of land (vv. 20-21); possessions (v. 23); prosperity and strength (vv. 24-25).” The
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contrast with the prophecies at the end of Genesis is clear. In that earlier time, the words were mixed.
Jacob referred, for example, to Reuben in a negative light. “Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer
excel (Gen. 49:4).” Moses says to the tribe of Reuben, “Let Reuben live and not die, nor his people be
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few (Deut. 33:6).” God is moving, teaching, leading, and growing his people.

Moses is told to ascend Mount Nebo. God is allowing him to see the Promised Land, but not enter it.
Moses had not made God precious in the sight of Israel. He forfeited his opportunity (32:51).
Deuteronomy ends with the death and burial of Moses, apparently by God (34:6). At the age of one
hundred twenty, he is healthy, having good vision and strength (v. 7). His grave is never found. Joshua
takes over, filled with wisdom from God (v. 9). No one can be compared to Moses. No one in all the OT
has ever performed the mighty deeds done by Moses in leading the people out of Egypt (v. 12).

We must notice a new author in this last chapter. Moses died. By the inspiration of the Spirit, Moses
could have written some of these words before his death. Yet the new writer speaks from a future
perspective, looking back on the life of Moses. “No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses” (34:10). “No
one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did” (34:12). He
affirms, at a later date, the Messianic promise written in the Deuteronomy 18:18: “I will raise up for
them a prophet like you.” Up to the author’s day, this prophet had not come. He and faithful people in
his generation were still waiting. “[The inspired author] tells us in no uncertain terms that the prophet
that Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy 18 was not any of the later prophets of Israel. There was still a
prophet to come…That ‘prophet like Moses’ was the expected Messiah – and he had not yet come.”
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The witnesses are set. One part of the future is clear. Like all other nations, Israel will fail to keep its
treaty. But disobedience is not the last word. Yes, vassal nations will forever break their promises. That
is the nature of life. YHWH in his love and mercy has given a different way for his people. They must

144 Hamilton, Handbook, p. 460.
145 It is probable that a comparison between Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 will discover an emphasis
on the growth in the people’s understanding of the Messiah.
146 John Sailhamer, “The Messiah and the Hebrew Bible,” JETS 44/1 (March 2001) p. 18.

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