So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.(Deuteronomy 34:5)
About 400,000 settlers, farmers, miners, and ranchers travelled the Oregon Trail during the mid-1830’s to 1869. After almost 200 years, deep ruts from their wagon trains can still be seen. These travelers left a clear trail for those coming behind them to follow. We, as well, are leaving a path for those coming behind us to follow. A legacy is a pathway for those who come behind. Scripture teaches that parents can either bless or curse their children up to the third and fourth generation. Children typically will follow the path that was left for them (Ps. 112:1-3; Ex. 20:5; 34:7; Numb. 14:18; Deut. 5:9; 23:8).
Deuteronomy 34 is the eulogy of Moses. It is the path that Moses left for the children of Israel. The record of Moses’ death fulfills a eulogy’s two big questions: “remembered as?” and “remembered by?” Moses was a man of vision who walked with God. He was remembered by the children of Israel and their new leader Joshua.
Moses “Remembered As:”
- A Man with a Vision of God
“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”(Hebrews 11:27)
Moses by spiritual vision forsook Egypt. In Moses’ final vision from Mount Pisgah, God showed him all the promise land that his people, the children of Israel, would possess after he died.
And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. (Deuteronomy 34:4)
Like any good parent, Moses was thrilled to know that his children would make it farther in life than he did. They would reach the other side of the Jordan — they would enter the promise land!
- A Man with a Walk with God
“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,”(Deuteronomy 34:10)
At the end of Moses’ life, he was reminded of personal failure. Moses was shut out of the promise land for his disobedience in smiting the rock. Failure is not the opposite of success: it is a part of success. People who never fail never try. Saints, like Moses, learned from their sin and failures and became stronger and wiser than they were before. Moses failed when he tried, in his own strength, at age forty to deliver Israel. He also failed when he disobeyed God and smote the rock twice. His personal sin caused personal pain and anguish: Moses spent forty years on the backside of a desert for killing the Egyptian, and he was shut out of the promise land for smiting the rock twice when he was only supposed to speak to it.
“…he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” (Exodus 2:12)
“And Moses … smote the rock twice: … therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. (Numbers 20:12)
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 24:16).
The difference between the “just” and the “wicked” is not failure: they both fall. The difference between the just and the wicked is that the just “riseth up again.” Moses did not leave a eulogy of failure but a legacy of rising up again to walk with God! “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,” (Deuteronomy 34:10)
No leader, spouse, or parent is going to be sinless or faultless, but you and I, like Moses, do not have to let our failures define us. Instead, we can let our walk with God be our legacy. “Rise up” and walk with God!
Remembered By:
- The Children of Israel
And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping andmourning for Moses were ended. (Deuteronomy 34:8)
Moses shepherded three million Israelites to the border of the promise land. Moses would not become an object of worship. God hid his sepulcher to ensure this. However, the ministry, memory and legacy of Moses would be guideposts along the pathway that would lead to a conquered promise land.
We, as well, can be the cause of spiritual victory for those who are coming behind us upon our departure to heaven.
- His Successor Joshua
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)
Moses mentored Joshua. Joshua was full of the Holy Spirit and full of the instruction that his predecessor instilled in him. “As the Lord commanded Moses…” is referenced fourteen times in the book of Joshua. Moses continued to live on in the life of Joshua!
Moses gave Joshua and the children of Israel a pathway with deep ruts! Moses left a great legacy.