Summary of the Life of Moses

What a great study we have had in the Life of Moses.  We saw all the stages of his life and how God was always with him growing him to be the man God wanted him to be.    Moses had status in Pharaoh’s place for 40 years, served the next 40 as a humble shepherd and then another 40 years as a prophet of God and leader of Israel.  Moses allowed God to work and shape his life as He will do ours, if we let Him.  Just like Moses we go through easy times as well as tough times, but God is always there shaping us into the person He wants us to be.

God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him.  Moses definitely accomplished this.  Moses was the only man that God spoke to face to face. (Ex. 33:11)  There has never been a prophet risen in Israel like Moses. (Deut.  34:10)  Moses spoke with God in the burnish bush and when he received the 10 commandments.   Moses spent many hours in the presence of God.

Moses did 2 powerful things that dramatically changed the course of his life:  1. He followed God’s call and 2. He had an intimate personal relationship with God.  God can change the course of your life just like He did for Moses.  So God can do the same for you, if you are willing.

Are you a faithful follower like Moses?

Do you have a personal relationship with God?

How has God changed your life?

Moses didn’t start out as the leader of Israel.  In Exodus we saw that Pharaoh feared the Israelites, because there were so many of them.  He tried to control them with hard labor and when that didn’t work, he killed all the baby boys.  Moses escaped death when his mother hid him in a basket in the Nile for Pharaoh’s daughter to find.  She found him and raised him in the palace as her own.  There is stayed for 40 years.  One day he saw a fellow Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian.  Moses came to his defense and killed him.  Of course Moses had to flee for his safety.

Moses then became a shepherd for the next 40 years until God called him to lead Israel.  God wanted him to go to Egypt and rescue His people.  Moses had several excuses not to go, but God had a plan and convinced him to go and the rest is history.  A baby was born to a slave couple in dangerous circumstances, but turned out to be the greatest human emancipator and law give the world has ever known.

Where has God called you?

What excuses do you make when God calls you?

The Bible says we are to be ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Him to the world.  We, like Moses must be faithful and loyal to God.  Moses had to put up with the Israelites who consistently complained even though God gave them everything they needed.  God gave them food, water, clothing, shelter, protection from their enemies, and was always with them.  Their negativity never affected Moses.  He stayed loyal, true, and on task just as God wanted him to do.  Moses even interceded for them, when God became angry with Israel for their rebellion.

When have you interceded for someone?

What were the results?

God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan, the Promised Land.  God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land.  He led the people for 40 years to the land, but he could not enter.  He didn’t complain.  He remained faithful to his people and to God and looked to his heavenly home.  During his last days he recounted their journey so the people would remember all God had done for them.  Even at his old age of 120 years, he was faithful and never stopped leading the people.  Before he died he blessed all the tribes.  (Deut. 33) 

Moses was a great man, but remained humble never drawing attention to himself.  He demonstrated an unshakable faith in the most shaking circumstances.  He prayed effectively and always interceded for others.  He showed great courage in his final hours.  He walked confidently up Mount Nebo and died after God let him see for the last the land Israel would inherit.  God buried Moses Himself.  No one knows where Moses’ grave is.  Maybe it’s because Israel is prone to idolatry.  If they knew where he was buried, they may have worshipped him.

Do you want to be like Moses?  To be like Moses you must have faith, be humble and courageous, intercede for others, spend time with God, keep your focus on God, be obedient, trust God, and tell others about the one true God.  Moses’ character points us to Jesus Christ, the one greater than Moses.

This finishes the study of The Life of Moses.  In the fall I will post on the book of Revelation.  You don’t want to miss that!  Throughout the summer I will be posting on various topics.  I look forward to sharing my thought with you.

Have a blessed summer and stay holy because God is holy.

Linda

NOTE:  If you want to do the study on Revelation with BSF this fall, check out their website for a class near you.  You won’t be sorry.  https://www.bsfinternational.org  If you decide to do BSF, let me know.  I would love to hear from you.

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Deuteronomy 33-34 - The Life of Moses

Last week Moses told Joshua and all of Israel to be strong and courageous.  Then he wrote a song for the people to sing to remember God’s love for His unfaithful people.  

This week we see Moses at the old age of 120 years and about to die.  He still is thinking about the people he loved and gives each tribe a blessing.  Before he blesses them, he gives praises to the Lord.  Then we see the death of Moses.  No one has ever been like Moses.  He had a special relationship with God.  God spoke face to face to only him. 

Deuteronomy 33 – Moses’ Blessings

Moses was a “man of God”.  (Deut. 33:1) 

Who do you know is a “man or woman of God”?

Will others say you are a “man or woman of God”?

If not, what do you need to do?

Moses blessed all the tribes of Israel before he dies.  He starts out by praising the Lord and describing the Lord saying the Lord came down over them and shown Himself from Mount Paran.  He said the Lord loves the people and the holy ones are in His hands.  He gives them instructions and the law.  He is the King over them. (Deut. 33:1-5)

What do you learn about God’s character from these verses?

Is He your King?

How do you remind others about God?

How do you praise the Lord?  A good way to praise Him is when you pray, start by giving Him praise.  Use words that reflect who He is and His character.  Words you might use are:  King of Kings, Provider, Great Physician, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty, Powerful, Unchanging, Son of God, Savior, Friend, Anointed One, Judge, Sanctuary, Sure Foundation, Lord Most High, Bread of Life, Shepherd, Holy One.  You get the idea.

Then Moses blessed the tribes (Deut. 33:6-25):

Reuben – Let him live and not die and his men not be few

Judah – hear his cry, help him against his enemies

Levi – bless all his skills and work of his hands

Benjamin – rest secure in the Lord and He rest between his shoulders

Joseph – bless his land with the best gifts of the earth

Zebulun & Issachar – to rejoice everywhere they goes

Gad – will enlarge God’s domain and live like a lion

Dad – a warrior - is a lion cub springing out of Bashan

Naphtali – bless with favor of the Lord

Asher – bless with prosperity - most blessed of sons of Asher, will be favored by his brothers, his strength will equal his days

You will notice that Simeon is not mentioned and the list is not in the same order as in Gen. 49 when Jacob gave his blessings.  Simeon’s tribe was absorbed with the tribe of Judah (Joshua 19).

Moses ended his blessings with more praises to God.  He recognized where the blessing came from.  He told them to lean on God’s everlasting arms.  There is no god like our great God.  He is the one true God and He alone is the source of every blessing!  This reminds us that God is for us, not because of our goodness but God’s grace.  We can rest between His shoulders.

How do you bless others? 

How has God blessed you?

How do Moses’ blessings encourage you?

Deuteronomy 34 – Moses’ Legacy

Moses climbed Mount Nebo.  The Lord showed him the Promise Land for the last time.  “Then the Lord said to him, This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, I will give it to your descendants.  I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” – Deut. 34:4.  Then Moses died and God buried him in Moab.  To this day no one knows where his grave is.  This is probably because God knew the Israelites were prone to idol worship and they would have probably tried to worship Moses grave.  He was 120 years old, but his eyes and strength were not gone.  The Israelites mourned his death for 30 days. (Duet. 34:5-8)

Now Joshua was to be the new leader.  He was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid hands on him.  (Deut. 34:9)

There has never been a prophet risen in Israel like Moses.  God spoke to Moses face to face.  God did miraculous signs and wonders through His servant, Moses.  He was the greatest spokesman for God and the greatest worker of miracles by the power of God in the Old Testament.  “For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”  (Deut. 34:10-12)  We are not certain who wrote these last verses in Deuteronomy, but we are certain of Moses’ relationship with God.  We are part of his legacy.

Moses finished well and so can we.  God’s grace gives us power through difficulties and strength to finish well.  Part of leaving a legacy is to disciple others.  It’s modeling obedience and love for God’s Word.  It’s letting others see you in your weaknesses.  It’s letting others see your dependence on God. 

How will you be remembered after your death?

What will others say about you?

Will they say you were a faithful servant of God?

Principle:  “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” – Deut. 33:27

I leave you with a blessing that God will give you a lasting legacy.

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Deuteronomy 31-32 - Life of Moses

Last week Moses prepared Israel for the renewal of the covenant and encouraged them to recommit to it.  He listed curses for not keeping the God’s laws and blessings for keeping them.  He ended by telling them they have a choice – life or death, blessings or curses.  This week Moses is about to die.  God gave him 2 final assignments: commission Joshua and write a song.

Deuteronomy 31 –Moses' Charge to Israel

Moses’ life was about to end and he wouldn’t get to cross over to Jordan to the Promise Land with the others.  I feel very sad for Moses.  He had served God faithfully for many years.  The first 40 years was spent in Egypt where he was raised in Pharaoh’s palace.  Then his life began to grow harder.  He spent the next 40 years tending sheep in the wilderness.  His last 40 years he spent leading Israel through the wilderness.  He had a hard life and now he could not cross to the Promise Land.  We may think it’s sad for him not to realize God’s promise, but I don’t think he looked at it that way.  He lived a life of faith (Heb. 11:23-27).  Faith doesn’t live with regrets of earthly comfort.  Faith is living with heavenly hope.  In the book of Hebrews several who were faithful to God are mentioned.  In Heb. 11:13-16 we see that all those faithful died in faith without receiving the promises.  “... I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  - Rom. 8:18.

Principle:  Faith doesn’t live with regrets of earthly comfort - faith is living with heavenly hope.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Heb. 11:1.

Do you live a life of regrets or do you live with heavenly hope?

How are you living by faith?

How would others describe your faith?

Moses reminded the people that it was God who got them this far not him.  God gave him 2 final assignments: commission Joshua and write a song.  Moses charged the people to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid, because the Lord would go with them.  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deut. 31:6.  Moses then charges Joshua the same words in Deut. 31:7-8.

How are you encouraged by others?

Are you strong and courageous or are you fearful?

Where do you turn when you are afraid?

How has this promise help you when you are unsure or fearful?

Moses charged the priests to read the law every 7 years during the Feast of Tabernacles.  This was “so the people could listen and learn to fear the Lord our God and follow carefully all the words of this law.  Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” – Deut. 31:12-13.  The priests were to place the law in the Ark of the Covenant.

The most important thing we can do is keep reading God’s Word.  Why should we read and study the Bible?  The Bible is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16).  It’s His very words to us.  It’s how we get to know God and His ways.  It is a guide for us to live by and we are to teach it to our children.  God does not change and man’s nature does not change so the Bible is relevant for us as it was when it was written.  There is a lot of false teaching in the world and the Bible give helps us distinguish truth from error.  It equips us to serve God.  It helps us know how to be saved from our sin and how to get to heaven.  There are many people in the Bible like Moses that we can learn from.  We can learn from their victories and failures.  We can ignore the Bible or we can learn from it.

Do you spend time reading and studying God’s Word each day?

How do you teach your children about God and His ways?

Principle:  God wants us to follow carefully all His Words.

God knew Israel would rebel in the future and would serve foreign gods.  They would forsake God and break the covenant.  Because of their rebellion, God would bring disasters and difficulties upon them.  So God told Moses to write a song for the people were to learn and sing so it would be a witness why God would be against them. 

How have you rebelled against God?

Deuteronomy 32 – Moses’ Song to Israel

Moses recited the song for all the people to hear just as God commanded.  He began by calling upon creation to confirm his message to Israel.  He praised God by calling Him the Rock and said that His works are perfect and all His ways are just.  He is a faithful God who does not wrong.  He is upright and just.  These attributes of God show Moses’ love and trust in God.  He knew God could do anything and was totally dedicated to Him.  Moses recited how God had showed His unfailing goodness to His people; how He gave them their inheritance through Jacob, how He always protected them, and how He was always with them.  (Deut. 32:1-14)

Are you totally dedicated to God?

Is He your Rock?

Principle:  God is our Rock and His ways are perfect.

In Deut. 32:15 - “Jeshurum grew fat and kicked.”  In other words when Israel was blessed, they rejected God.  They abandoned Him and rejected the Rock.  They made God jealous by worshipping foreign gods which angered Him.  They rejected Him and He rejected them.  He would bring judgments on them.  He would bring calamities upon them, spend arrows against them, and send famine and pestilence and plagues.  He would scatter them and blot out their memory.   (Deut. 32:15-26)

When Moses spoke the words of the song to Joshua and the people, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.  They are not just idle words for you – they are your life.  By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” – Deut. 32:44-47.

“The spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” – John 6:63.  God’s Words are of great importance and are words to live by.

Do you live by God’s Word?

What has happened in your family or church when you take to heart God’s Word?

Then God told Moses to go to Mount Nebo to view Canaan.  There he would die and be gathered to his people just as Aaron was.  Both of them broke faith with God in front of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh.  They didn’t uphold God’s holiness and were not permitted to go to the Promise Land as we learned back in Numbers 20.  Moses would not cross the Jordan into the Canaan, but was permitted to see it from a distance.  Moses would die, but he would live on with his family and countrymen who have died before.  (Deut. 32:48-52)

Principle:  God demands loyalty and obedience.

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