And the LORD said to him, "This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it." And the LORD said to himThis phrase introduces a direct communication from God to Moses, emphasizing the personal relationship and direct revelation that Moses experienced. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting His covenantal faithfulness. This divine communication underscores the unique role of Moses as a prophet and leader who spoke with God "face to face" ( Exodus 33:11). This is the land
The "land" refers to Canaan, the Promised Land, a central theme in the Pentateuch. It symbolizes God's promise and faithfulness to His people. The Hebrew word for "land" is "eretz," which can mean earth, land, or territory, indicating a specific, tangible inheritance promised to the Israelites. I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
This phrase recalls the Abrahamic Covenant, a foundational promise in the Hebrew Scriptures. The verb "swore" (Hebrew "shaba") signifies a solemn oath, reflecting God's unchanging commitment. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are the patriarchs, and this reference roots the promise in historical continuity and divine faithfulness across generations. when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’
God's promise to give the land to the descendants of the patriarchs is a recurring theme in Genesis. The Hebrew word for "descendants" is "zera," meaning seed or offspring, indicating both physical and spiritual lineage. This promise is a testament to God's providence and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Israel. I have let you see it with your own eyes
Moses is granted a vision of the Promised Land, a profound moment of both fulfillment and limitation. The phrase "with your own eyes" emphasizes personal experience and divine revelation. It reflects God's grace in allowing Moses to witness the promise, even though he would not enter it. but you will not cross into it
This statement is a poignant reminder of Moses' earlier disobedience (Numbers 20:12). The Hebrew word for "cross" is "abar," meaning to pass over or go through. This limitation serves as a sobering lesson on the consequences of disobedience, even for a leader as great as Moses. It underscores the holiness and justice of God, while also pointing to the need for a greater mediator, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks directly to Moses in this passage. 2. MosesThe servant of the LORD, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, but is not permitted to enter the Promised Land. 3. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their descendants. 4. Abraham, Isaac, and JacobThe patriarchs to whom God originally made the promise of the land, representing God's faithfulness across generations. 5. Mount NeboThe location from which Moses views the Promised Land, situated in the land of Moab. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness Across GenerationsGod's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is fulfilled despite the passage of time, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness. The Consequences of DisobedienceMoses' inability to enter the Promised Land serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience, even for a faithful servant of God. The Vision of FaithLike Moses, believers are called to trust in God's promises, even if they do not see their fulfillment in their lifetime. The Sovereignty of GodGod's plans and purposes transcend individual lifetimes, reminding us to trust in His greater plan. The Importance of Spiritual LegacyMoses' leadership and faithfulness set the stage for the next generation to enter the Promised Land, highlighting the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis relate to His words to Moses in Deuteronomy 34:4? 2. What can we learn from Moses' experience about the importance of obedience to God? 3. In what ways can we, like Moses, see the "Promised Land" from afar in our own spiritual journeys? 4. How does the concept of God's faithfulness across generations encourage you in your current circumstances? 5. What steps can you take to ensure you are leaving a spiritual legacy for the next generation? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7God first promises the land to Abraham, establishing the covenant that is reiterated in Deuteronomy 34:4. Exodus 3:8God speaks to Moses at the burning bush, promising to deliver the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey. Numbers 20:12The reason Moses is not allowed to enter the Promised Land is due to his disobedience at the waters of Meribah. Hebrews 11:13The patriarchs died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, similar to Moses' experience. People Dan, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Joshua, Manasseh, Moses, Naphtali, Nun, Pharaoh, ZoarPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Gilead, Jericho, Moab, Mount Nebo, Negeb, Pisgah, Valley of Jericho, ZoarTopics Caused, Cross, Descendants, Isaac, Jacob, Oath, Pass, Saying, Seed, Sware, Swore, Sworn, ThitherDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 34:4 5104 Moses, foreshadower of Christ Deuteronomy 34:1-4 7258 promised land, early history Deuteronomy 34:1-5 4254 mountains Deuteronomy 34:1-8 7775 prophets, lives Deuteronomy 34:4-6 5102 Moses, life of Library A Death in the Desert
'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, ... but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.'--DEUT. xxxiv.5, 6. A fitting end to such a life! The great law-giver and leader had been all his days a lonely man; and now, surrounded by a new generation, and all the old familiar faces vanished, he is more solitary than ever. He had lived alone with God, and it was fitting that alone with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Death of Moses
(First Sunday after Trinity.) DEUT. xxxiv. 5, 6. 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 a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. Some might regret that the last three chapters of Deuteronomy are not read among our Sunday lessons. There was not, however, room for them; and I do not doubt that those who chose our lessons knew better than I what chapters …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Moses the Type of Christ.
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken."--Deut. xviii. 15. The history of Moses is valuable to Christians, not only as giving us a pattern of fidelity towards God, of great firmness, and great meekness, but also as affording us a type or figure of our Saviour Christ. No prophet arose in Israel like Moses, till Christ came, when the promise in the text was fulfilled--"The Lord thy God," says Moses, "shall …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII So Then we must Confess that the Dead Indeed do not Know what Is...
18. So then we must confess that the dead indeed do not know what is doing here, but while it is in doing here: afterwards, however, they hear it from those who from hence go to them at their death; not indeed every thing, but what things those are allowed to make known who are suffered also to remember these things; and which it is meet for those to hear, whom they inform of the same. It may be also, that from the Angels, who are present in the things which are doing here, the dead do hear somewhat, …
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead. The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 34:4 NIVDeuteronomy 34:4 NLTDeuteronomy 34:4 ESVDeuteronomy 34:4 NASBDeuteronomy 34:4 KJV
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