The Legacy of Moses

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The portion of Deuteronomy that might serve as a summary of Moses’ achievements appears to be chapter 34’s 8 to 12.

  • 1. HIS DEATH. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
  • 2. HIS SUCCESSOR. 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.
  • 3. HIS UNIQUENESS in Intimacy. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
  • 4. HIS UNIQUE Wonders in Egypt. In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
  • 5. HIS mighty hand and terror in Israel’s sight. And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.

The perspective of the succeeding generation quickly demolishes these landmarks. Joshua took Jericho without “firing a shot”. Joshua saved a prostitute from among those destined to be dispossessed and fulfils the promise of land to Abraham’s descendants.

The longer view of history brings Moses face to face with gold medallists like Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist.

  1. Daniel contributes a timetable of the global agenda and Jew-Gentile interactive
  2. Isaiah exposes the barriers to the global mission and the certainty of the inclusion of Gentiles
  3. Jeremiah shows that land possession does not bring rest and witnesses the emptying of the land of Hebrew people
  4. John marks the end of prophetic authority

Favourite David

The second king of Israel carved out a place for himself by his obsession to build a house for Yahweh and by his pursuit of mercy and justice for the people in his care. Even though there was a tent with elaborate service routines David wanted to see more. No one seems to have noticed that the presence of God in fiery pillar and cloud disappeared from the record. The great manifestation of presence at the inaugural becomes irrelevant at the promise to make David a house. Moses may have foreseen that all followers of the superior prophet would prophesy (Num. 11:29) and definitely needed to be seen as getting brought up to speed (along with Elijah) on the one true atoning sacrifice