Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 34: God’s work outlasts His servants

Begin in prayer

Before reading about Moses’ death, let us remember the God whose word and purpose endure. Ask Him to teach our family to face the end of life with reverence and look to Christ, the greater faithful Son.

“Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am. Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.

Psalm 39:4-5

Father in heaven, our days are in Your hands, and Your promises outlast every human life. Help us understand Moses’ death and the work that continued through Joshua. Show us the greater Savior who conquered death and lead us to trust Him. Please open our eyes as we read Your Word, make us more like Christ, and bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moses goes from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, where the LORD shows him the promised land. God identifies it as the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet says Moses will not cross into it. Moses dies in Moab according to the LORD’s word, and God buries him in a valley, though no one knows where his grave is. Moses was one hundred twenty years old, and his eyes and strength were still good. Israel mourns for thirty days, then follows Joshua, who is full of the spirit of wisdom after Moses laid hands on him. The book closes by honoring Moses’ unmatched relationship with God and the mighty signs God sent him to perform before Israel and Egypt.

As you read Deuteronomy 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God keeps His word, and He brings His people home through a Savior greater than Moses.

From the top of Mount Nebo, the LORD showed Moses the land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (verses 1 to 4). Moses saw it with his own eyes, but God said he would not go over there. At one hundred twenty his eyes were still clear, yet Moses died as the LORD had said (verses 5 and 7). Moses gave the law, but the man who gave the law could not bring the people into rest. Joshua led them in, and Joshua was a picture of Jesus, who brings His people where the law never could. The book ends by saying that no prophet like Moses had yet arisen (verse 10). That is the Prophet God promised in chapter 18, and He has come in Jesus. Moses was faithful as a servant, and Jesus is the Son who brings His people home to God (Hebrews 3 verses 5 and 6).

How does Deuteronomy 34 show us that God keeps His word, and that He brings His people home through a Savior greater than Moses?

God keeps His word at life’s end.

The LORD shows Moses the land sworn to the fathers. Moses must still die outside it, as God had said. Neither his long service nor preserved strength overturns that word.

God’s work continues beyond one servant.

Israel mourns Moses for thirty days. Joshua is full of the spirit of wisdom, and the people listen to him. The death of their leader leaves God’s purpose and appointed leadership in place.

God’s faithful servant points beyond himself.

Moses knew the LORD face to face and performed the signs God sent him to do. No prophet like him had yet arisen in Israel. The earlier promise of another prophet like Moses leaves the people looking for God’s appointed speaker (Deuteronomy 18 verse 15). Jesus is that Prophet, and He brings His people home.

Memorise

So Moses the servant of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab, according to Yahweh’s word.

Deuteronomy 34:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how does the shortness of my life show that I need Jesus?

Moses, “the servant of Yahweh”, is honored as the prophet whom God knew face to face. Yet he dies outside the land, and the giver of the law could not bring the people in. Hebrews directs believers beyond this faithful servant to Jesus, the Son worthy of greater glory (Hebrews 3 verses 1 to 6).

Jesus also died for His people, paying the debt of their sins. God raised Him up, and His finished work is enough to give a hope that death cannot end.

Turn from sin and trust Him. Whoever comes to Jesus receives forgiveness. Rest your final hope in the risen Savior, whose life and rule never end.

Parent's note

Tell your children why Israel could mourn Moses and still follow the leader God appointed. Speak about death with care, and direct their hope to the risen Jesus rather than any human servant. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His enduring word and risen Son, and bring the shortness of life in the heart question before Him. Every child can pray, so invite each one to seek hope in Christ.

Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honor than the house.

Hebrews 3:1-3

Father in heaven, teach us to number our short days beneath Your enduring word. Bring us to trust the risen Son whose completed sacrifice is enough for forgiveness. Comfort those who mourn, and teach Your people to honor faithful servants while resting their lasting hope in Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.