Almost but not Quite; Stopping Short of the Promised Land

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land – from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 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 it.”

Deuteronomy 34:1-4

Heartbreaking. Disappointing. God took something from Moses, something that Moses was not able to get back. God stopped Moses’s journey just short of the Promised Land.

There are passages in the Bible that I wrestle with, this one is near the top of the list. I have searched for reasons that Moses remained on the outskirts, allowed only to gaze from a distance. I have hypothesized, concocted a few explanations of my own. He was tired, burdened by these troublesome people, not suitable to lead an army, a fresh, younger perspective on leadership was needed. While all of these are likely true, the Bible clearly states why he was denied entrance. He was disobedient.

The theme of Moses’s life, once called to lead God’s people out of Egypt and into Canaan, is his uninterrupted conversation with God. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy repeatedly headline, “and the LORD said to Moses, and the LORD said to Moses”…and Moses obeyed. Except he did not obey in Numbers chapter 20. God tells Moses to “speak to the rock before their eyes and it will pour out water” (vs. 8). This is not exactly the direction God gave Moses the first time he needed water from a rock. In Horeb, God tells Moses to strike the rock and water will spill from it (Exodus 17:6). An ever so slight change in direction makes a big difference.

In a fateful moment, frustration building, tension amongst the people mounting, Moses raises his arm and strikes the rock with his staff. One direction, one moment, Moses disobeys God. The LORD immediately reveals the consequence of his actions, Moses will not set foot into the Promised Land. The LORD states, “since you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy” (Numbers 20:12).

You did not trust Me enough.

It pains me to write it. Moses, the prophet whom the LORD knew face to face. Moses, the one who was like no other (Deuteronomy 34:10). He did not trust God enough to walk obediently into the Promised Land. Moses’s disappointment and bitterness is recorded several places, as He pleads with God to reconsider and as he redirects blame to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 3:23, 26, 4:21).

You did not trust Me enough.

I begin to wonder how many promised land places I have forfeited by not trusting enough to be obedient. How many times have I begged and pleaded for what I desired, having failed to gain it my own way? How many times have I heard instruction and willfully determined that I would move in the opposite direction? Enough to lament the possibilities lost along a broken path.

I did not trust Him enough to walk obediently.

Do I believe God is able to redeem my willful disobedience (Colossians 1:13-14)? Yes!

Do I believe God makes all things work out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)? Yes!

Do I believe God wrote my story, even the messy parts (Psalm 139:16)? Yes!

Did I forfeit goodness that He held for me along the way? Yes.

Obedience opens doors, sometimes immediately. Disobedience closes doors, sometimes immediately. This was true even for Moses, the prophet like none other, why would this not also be true for me?

There is good news here, of course, why else would I write? The redemption of a messy story is a relatable story for others living messy lives. Why would God record the disobedience of Moses, but to teach us about who He is, trustworthy and holy. Why would God introduce flawed characters throughout His book, but to teach us that He is merciful, good and able to save the disobedient. Why are so many of them left without a name, but to reveal to us that we are them, in much need of a Savior.

Did God want me to live a messy story, just so He could use it? No! But you can bet He will use it if I let Him.

Are you living a messy story? One self-sabotaging decision after another? God is able to redeem your story too. Not only is He able to redeem it, but He can use it to reveal to others who He is. He actually invites you, messy you, into His story. This is very good news.

Moses visits the Promised Land, eventually. He and Elijah meet up with Jesus on the top of a mountain within the Promised Land after Jesus is transfigured. Moses’s visit comes centuries after Joshua leads the men in battle to fight for it, battles Moses did not have to experience because of his earthly departure. Perhaps the land Moses walked after his death was even better than the land Joshua fought for. Perhaps God knew what He was doing when He redirected Moses’s journey and took him home.

---

Let the redeemed of the LORD say this - those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from the east and the west, from the north and the south.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 
They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. 
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. 
So He subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. 
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. 

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their inequities.
They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved the from their distress. 
He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 
They saw the works of the LORD, His wonderful deeds in the deep. 
For He spoke and stirred up the tempest that lifted high the waves. 
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. 
They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. 
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. 

Psalm 107:2-31