I heard about a guy who sat on his cell phone and accidentally bought a house in San Diego. That was a big mistake, but it was nowhere, near as serious as the mistake of Moses.

The Hebrew people were wearing him down. There was constant mumbling and grumbling – or so it seemed.

They were thirsty again. The Lord responded by instructing Moses to speak to a rock which God would cause to issue forth with water. Irate Moses struck the rock instead. Oops – not good.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to show me as holy before the Israelites, therefore you will not bring this community into the land I have given them.” – Numbers 20:12.

What a catastrophic consequence! Moses weathered the wilderness and endured the childishness of the Jews all for the hope of ushering them into the promised land. But because he ignored the Lord’s instruction, his ticket to Canaan land was canceled.

He forever felt the pain of it! He revealed it in the book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrews were ready to enter Canaan. Deuteronomy contains Moses’ last-minute instructions to prepare his people. He prepped them knowing that he would be left behind.

So, Moses prayed a pitiful prayer. He said to the Lord, “Let me please cross over to see the good land on the other side of the Jordan River—this good hill country and the Lebanon!”

And what did God say? “…the Lord was angry at me because of you and would not listen to me. Instead, he said to me, “Enough of that! Do not speak to me anymore about this matter….you will not be allowed to cross the Jordan.” – Deuteronomy 3:25-27

God said, “No Moses, I told you nearly 40 years ago that you will not be entering the promised land and I meant it, so don’t bring it up again.” It’s almost comical that Moses blamed it on the people. “Because of you,” he said.

Throughout the rest of the book, Moses doesn’t ask again, but he continued to assail his people.

In chapter 4 he said, “…the Lord became angry with me because of you and vowed that I would never cross the Jordan nor enter the good land that he is about to give you. So I must die here in this land; I will not cross the Jordan.” Deuteronomy 4:21-22

And in chapter 31 he complains again, “and the Lord has said to me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan.” -Deuteronomy 31:2

The man was not going to let it go! He was clearly bitter for having been denied the honor of entering the promised land.

If there is a lesson here, it is this. God is a just God and therefore sin always has its consequences.

Moses’ epitaph was written in Deuteronomy 34:5, “So, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab as the Lord had said.”

What a profoundly sad way to conclude his story – and yet this was not quite the end – for you see God is just but He is also full of mercy.

Fast forward to the first century. The Savior was headed to Jerusalem to die, but the Father arranged a meeting for Him on the top of a very high mountain (Matthew 17:1)

There is only one mountain in that region that would fit this bill. This would be Mount Hermon where the peaks provided a panoramic view of Israel. On Hermon, the transfiguration of Jesus took place. Present with Him were 3 disciples, and 2 esteemed visitors from heaven – Elijah and Moses.

So where was this mountain? Check a Bible atlas and you’ll find it is the northeastern part of Israel. Moses’ feet were firmly planted on the land of promise. He finally made it to the land of promise thanks to the mercy of God.

He has plenty of mercy for you as well.

A PRAYER: Lord we are awed by the way You work justice together with mercy.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

Scripture references are from the NETBible