End Of An Era Series

September 13, 2025

We have come to the end of the 1st five books of the Bible – the Pentateuch (Torah). Moses has been the key (human) figure since chapter 2 of Exodus. We have witnessed 120 years of history through the eyes of one man. We have mourned his poor choices. We have cheered his victories. We have been angry on his behalf.

For 1/3 of those 120 years, Moses wandered around in the desert with a group of people who simultaneously despised and revered him.

We witnessed his never-ending passion and compassion for Jacob’s Children and we’ve had a front row seat to one of the great God/human relationships in Scripture.

It has been quite a journey….

Moses has had a busy few days, but now he is done giving speeches. Before he makes that climb up Mount Nebo, however, he has a few final things to do.

Deuteronomy 31:1-3 - Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: "I am now 120 years old and I am no longer able to lead you. Yahweh has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.' Yahweh your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as Yahweh said.”

Make sure do to everything Yahweh has told you to do.

“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."

Then, in the presence of the people Moses repeated the same instruction to Joshua.

Moses wrote down the law and gave it to the Priests with the following instruction: Every 7 years during the Feast of Tabernacles (pilgrim feast) - read the law out before the people.

It was time to transfer leadership, so Moses called Joshua over. They presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting and Yahweh appeared at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting in the pillar of cloud.

Even though Israel has just finished renewing their vow to keep the covenant, God knew full well that in very short order they would rebel. They would seek the gods of other nations. They would forget about him. So, He instructed Moses to write a song, teach it to the people and pass it down through the generations.

The Song of Moses is a didactic poem (Instructional) and a beautiful work of art.

It is a song of God’s faithfulness contrasted against the rebellion of Israel. It recites the threats for unfaithfulness and reminds the people of God’s mercy and divine grace. Where they fail, God triumphs. It concludes with God delivering/rescuing his people from their enemies.

Moses wrote down the song and taught it to the Israelites (32:1-43). It, along with the Book of the Law was to always be kept beside the Ark of the Covenant.

Now, with little fanfare, in the presence of all the people, Yahweh commissioned Joshua for the immense task of the conquest of Canaan:

"Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."

Moses’ last recorded words were that of blessing: "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."

While this tribal blessing resembles the Blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49, there are some interesting differences.

Jacob’s blessing lists his sons in birth order. In Deuteronomy, the list appears to be organized by mother and geographical location (Simeon is missing from the list):

• Leah’s sons:

Reuben, Levi, Judah

• Rachel’s sons:

Benjamin and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)

• Leah’s final 2 sons:

Zebulun and Issachar

• The son’s of Jacob’s concubines:

Gad, Dan, Naphtali and Asher

“Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places."

Epilogue

Moses had said his final words and passed the torch of leadership to Joshua – there was nothing left to be done.

He must have been filled with many conflicting emotions as he turned from the camp of Israel to make his way up Mount Nebo. When he reached the top, Yahweh showed him the whole land – a land rich and fertile. A land flowing with Milk and Honey.

From Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the blue waters of the western sea, the southern desert and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar – Moses took it all in.