The Land Seen from Mount Nebo

A river he did not cross, a land he gazed on to the end

Mount Nebo (Pisgah) · 1406 BC · Deut 34:1–12

Story

Leaving the people on the plains of Moab, Moses climbed Mount Nebo alone. As he made his way up the steep path, the sounds of the camp grew fainter and fainter. When he reached the top of Pisgah, facing Jericho, the wind swept over the dry grass. He was a hundred and twenty years old. Yet his eyes were not dim, and his strength had not left him.

The Lord showed him the whole land. Gilead as far north as Dan, the land of Naphtali, of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah reaching to the western sea. The Negev in the south, and the valley of Jericho, the city of palms, as far as Zoar. The Lord said, This is the land I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross over into it.

There in the land of Moab, Moses the servant of the Lord died, as the Lord had said. The Lord himself buried him in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. The children of Israel wept for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days. Joshua, on whom Moses had laid his hands, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, and the people listened to him. Never again has there risen a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

God's Words

This is the land I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross over into it.

Since then no prophet like Moses has risen in Israel, whom the Lord knew face to face.

The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Deut 34:1–12

Background

Pause and Reflect