Page 123 - Pentateuch

The time will come, however, that Yahweh will “relent
concerning his servants” (v. 36). When Israel’s strength is
gone, and they realize the futility of the gods they chose
(vv. 37-38), Yahweh will rescue (v. 39). The promise of
rescue is absolute (v. 40). God will take vengeance (v. 41-
42). The result will be a joy for all faithful people, both
Christians and Jews who believe in the Messiah when God
finally applies his atonement (v. 43). The times specifically
given over to the Gentiles would be done, and all of Israel
will be saved (v. 25).
Fig. 129: Mount Nebo
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 of
Israel. God does not play 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).” 144 The 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 few (Deut. 33:6).” God is
moving, teaching, leading, and growing his people. 145

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 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.” 146

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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