Home

FEB 20

In Numbers, it is apparent that what leads to the wilderness generation’s condemnation is their lack of faith and trust in God. Their inability to listen to and love God in a lasting and meaningful way prevents them from finding the success they seek. In the case of Moses, while he has been more faithful and loving towards God, he has had his share of disobeying. His striking of the rock instead of talking to it, against God’s wishes in Numbers, is perhaps the most notable instance. The need to love and listen, two simple requirements of the Israelites, are neglected over and over again, preventing this generation to find true success.

The reason for the compilers of the Bible to end this section with the death of Moses is certainly one that is unclear and may be debated forever, however some may agree that it is done in this manner to end an era. This generation of Moses has gone through a great deal. The followers of Moses have disobeyed the Lord over and over, as Moses himself has even done, and are coming to finally reach the Promised Land. While God is merciful and forgiving, and will ultimately continue to try and help his creation reach their potential, ending a story of such wrongdoing with a “fairytale” ending seems less than appropriate.

The closing passage of Deuteronomy 34 clues us in to the notion that what will happen in Joshua and under Joshua’s guidance will not be what the Israelites hope for. While progress will be won and lost, as happened under Moses, there will continue to be unfaithfulness and mistrust that will prevent the people from reentering the presence of the divine.