MOSES ON MOUNT NEBO This is the final chapter. After presenting the three farewell sermons, then the final song, and the blessing to all the tribes, the prophet Moses went up to Mount Nebo ‘Pisgah,’ to look at the land that God promised to give his fathers. Then he delivered his spirit according to the word of the Lord. And the Lord Himself buried him in a grave that no one knows to this day (5, 6). The people wept and mourned for the man who talked to the Lord “face to face” (10). 1. Moses on Mount Nebo 1–6. 2. Moses’ unabated natural vigor 7. 3. The days of mourning for Moses 8. 4. Joshua the successor of Moses 9. 5. The end 10–12 1. MOSES ON MOUNT NEBO “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the South, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there. So Moses, the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord” (Deut. 34:1-5) God designated to Moses the place where he would die (Deut. 32:49, 50). He left the people in the plain of Moab, and went up, according to the word of the Lord, to the top of Mount Nebo, in a region called ‘the top of Pisgah’ (a word meaning ‘a break,’ probably on the top of Mount Oshah). As Moses used to encounter with God on the mountain to receive the Law; even his death took place on Mount Nebo; on a high location where he could see, by faith, what his fathers were promised, and what is now realized to his people; so that his soul would rejoice, as though he has, himself gained that promise. Moses has been on many aspects, a model minister to the Lord; whose slogan was “As the Lord say.” He was not confused by that command of the Lord, but counted death as a divine gift; having consummated his mission, and the time came to set forth to God who sent him. Although he knew the place where he would deliver his spirit, he did not avoid it, but went up to it with complete freedom of his will. He probably was rejoicing over the completion of his mission in peace; and counted death as an ascension. He went up to the highest location there, alone and with no help of anyone, although he was 120 years old. No one saw him dying; either because of God’s intention to keep his grave hidden, so that the Jews would not worship him; or He probably intended to confirm that the children of God need no human help at the moment they depart from this world, as God Himself is their help. From up there, the prophet Moses looked down to see Canaan, the Promised Land; and his soul rejoiced for the realization of the divine promise; And looked up to 7 behold the heavenly Canaan. Moses’ eyes were not dim with age; but seeing all Canaan from the top of the mountain could not be through natural ability; but God granted him that grace to let him rejoice over what his people were to enjoy in the near future. Moses, the ‘great among the prophets;’ and the first leader of his people, was called ‘the servant of the Lord’ (5), a title referring to a distinguished position enjoyed by someone working in the court of the King of kings; and who has a special place in the sight of God. This title was also enjoyed by Abraham, the Patriarch (Genesis 26:24); by Joshua son of Nun (Joshua 24:29); by David, the first righteous king of his people (2 Samuel 7:50); as well as by the prophets, the witnesses of truth (2 Kings 9:7). It did not stop at certain persons, but, because the Lord yearns for every member of His Church to have his personal living role. Israel was called by this title (Isaiah 41:8). And even intending for foreigners to realize His holy will, a foreign king was called by this title (Jeremiah 25:9). But, as the incarnate Word of God Himself became “the Servant of the Lord;” and have got four praises by the name of “praises to the servant of the Lord” (Isaiah 42); He wishes for every soul to connect to Him to gain His honor and to enjoy His salvation praises. I have previously dealt in some detail with the titles “the Servant of Jehovah” and “the Servant of the Lord” in my commentary on the book of Isaiah1. Until the coming of the incarnate Word of God, “there has not risen in Israel a prophet like Moses” (10); But as the Son Himself came, there was no comparison between the Son, the Owner of the house, and the servant of the house (Hebrews 3:1-6). “And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; But no one knows his grave to this day” (Deut. 34:6) The Lord Himself buried Him; probably by His angels. God cared for Moses’ dead body; as the death of the righteous is precious to him. He did not bury him with his fathers, but in the land of Moab, in a place known by no one. Although God cares even for our dead bodies, yet we should not be preoccupied with the place we are to be buried. Riparius, priest of Aquitane, wrote to St. Jerome, concerning Vigilantius, who opposed honoring the relics of saints and celebrating their feasts; considering their relics as defiled things. St. Jerome responded to him, presenting examples from the two Testaments about honoring the relics of those who repose in the Lord. In his message he said: [I ask Vigilantius: Are the relics of Peter and Paul defiled things? Was that of Moses a defiled thing; he of whom was said – according to the Hebrew text – that “the Lord Himself buried him”?2] St. Jerome3 compared between the death of Moses and that of Joshua, saying that in case of the death of Moses, Israel held days of mourning; which they did not do for Joshua when he died (Joshua 24:30). If Moses symbolized the Jews under the Law, Joshua, on the other hand, symbolized the Christians under the leadership of Jesus Christ. Through the Law, there could be weeping, as though for a night; but through Jesus, only joy, as though for a day (Psalm 30:5). It was said: “Moab will wail over Nebo” (Isaiah 15:2). On the mountain where Moses ascended to look at the Promised Land from afar, and his soul rejoiced; the 1 Cf. The author: Isaiah, Alexandria 1988, p. 19-21 (in Arabic). 2 St. Jerome: Letter 109:1. 3 St. Jerome: Letter 60:6. 8 Moabites wailed for the location they considered as a center of defense. What makes the heart of the believer rejoice, would destroy that of the denier of faith. What does history say about this? Moses, the ‘servant of Jehovah’ died, according to a command by Jehovah. No one knew his grave to this day. His eyes did not grow dim; nor his natural vigor abated. From this we learn that, when someone consummates such great tasks, he would be worthy of being called by such an exalted name “the servant of Jehovah;” a way to say that he is better than any other. No one ministers to God, and not becomes more exalted than any other in the world. This, as far as he is concerned, is the crown of a virtuous life; the goal consummated through the word of God. History speaks of a ‘life-giving death,’ not followed by a grave, does not cause dim eyes, nor abating of the natural vigor. What then should you learn from what was said? You should have one goal of life; to be called a minister of God, by the life you live. When you defeat all the enemies (the Egyptians, Amalekites, Edomites, and Medianites etc.). When you cross over the water; become enlightened by the cloud; enjoy the sweetness by the tree; drink from the rock; taste the food coming from above; ascend the mountain through purity and holiness; when you get teachings concerning the divine mystery, by the voice of trumpets. When you approach God, through belief in the un-penetratable darkness; and there, you learn the mysteries of the tabernacle, and the honor of priesthood. When you engrave in your heart the divine teachings you received from God. When you destroy the golden calf (namely, when you uproot from your heart the lust of greed). When you rise up to the heights, to oppose the magic of Balaam (namely, you expose the deceiving magic, that mislead some people by the philosophies of Cicero; to turn into irrational animals, and forsake their nature fitting for them). When you achieve all that, and in you the rod of priesthood “spouted, put forth buds, produced blossoms, and yielded ripe almonds” (see Numbers 17:8), without drawing any moisture from the ground, but would have a unique power of fruition (its almonds, that would be at first rough and have bitter taste, then would turn inside sweet and fit for eating). When you destroy everything opposite to what is fitting for you, as when the earth swallowed Dathan, and when fire consumed Korah; Then you would have approached your goal; namely, the goal for the sake of which you have done all those things1. St. Gregory of Nyssa 2. MOSES’ UNABATED NATURAL VIGOR “Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor abated” (Deut. 34:7) In Psalm 90, the prophet Moses says: “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow” (Psalm 90:10). How could he say that while he lived 120 years? He counted his days as have come to an end when he reached 80 years of age; and the 40 extra years as a gift from God, to go on ministering on account of His kingdom. Moses lived 120 years; his eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor abated; a reference to the enjoyment of the believer of perpetual enlightenment and youth, 1 Life of Moses, 314-317. 9 while his inner soul would never be affected by blindness or frailty of old age. The inner man of a true Christian would never know frailty of old age; but the Holy Spirit would renew his youth like the eagle (Psalm 103:5). Moses’ eyes did not grow dim like Isaac (Genesis 27:1), or Jacob (Genesis 48:10); but his natural vigor was not abated like a young man full of strength and vitality. The face whose skin shone through the reflection of God’s splendor on it (Exodus 34:30) would never grow old. How could the eye that is perpetually in the light; grow dim by the darkness, from which it separated itself? A man, who through every mean has reached noncorruption in his life, would never get corrupted, as he has truly become an icon of God. He, who does not divert in any way from the divine attributes, would bear in himself its distinguishing signs; would appear in everything conforming to the original; and would never participate in any corruption1. St. Gregory of Nyssa 3. THE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR MOSES “The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days for weeping and mourning for Moses ended” (Deut. 34:8) The Targum of Jonathan says that the Lord commanded Michael the archangel to guard the grave of Moses. Although God buried Moses, and a unique angelic funeral was held for him; yet God did not keep the people from expressing their feelings; they wept thirty days for their amazing leader! 4. JOSHUA THE SUCCESSOR OF MOSES “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses has laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses” (Deut. 34:9) Like Moses who was full with the spirit of wisdom, so was his disciple Joshua; through the laying of Moses’ hands on him; namely through his ordination. Why didn’t he lay one hand on him? He did like Jacob, when he blessed his two grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh, by laying his two hands like the sign of the cross; the right hand on Ephraim on his right side, and his left hand on Manasseh on his left. So we should receive the spirit of leadership through the cross of Jesus the Lord of glory. 5. THE END “But since then, there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deut. 34:10-12) The book ended by revealing the greatness of Moses, in being so attached to God, that he saw him face to face; and as it was said, God used to speak to him, not through visions and dreams, but directly, frankly, and publicly. It is as though the source of his strength was encountering God and debating with Him. God has made on his hands a salvation from the bondage of pharaoh; and has proclaimed through him the divine glory, especially when He delivered to him the Law on the Mount of Sinai. 1 Life of Moses, 318. 10 These final verses give the impression that they were written by someone who came after the time of Joshua; probably added by Eleazar the son of Aaron, or one of the elders after the death of Joshua (Joshua 24:31). As a prophet, Moses led the people (Hosea 12:13), delivered to them the proclamation he received (29:29); and referred to Christ (18:15). Face to face (10), in all the mighty hand (12). God’s work through Moses was not by mere words, but by unforgettable works. The signs and wonders that were done in Egypt were divine preparation for the greater work of redemption that took place on the Golgotha. MOUNTAINS IN THE HOLY BIBLE Mountains in the Holy Bible have a special status; being the locations favorite to God to encounter His people, or to present gifts or certain proclamations. On them men of God got conquests over evil, or from them believers carried wood to build the temple of the Lord. Choosing mountains as locations to give heavenly divine blessings, was to call the believer to lift up his heart, mind, and all his feelings, above everything earthly, to encounter his heavenly Father. The Psalmist used to lift up his eyes to the holy mountains in anticipation of divine help. If the prophet Moses received the divine Law on the mountain, saw Canaan from the top of a mountain, and there he delivered his spirit in the hands of God, who cared for both his spirit and his body; That was to confirm to us our need to ascend the “mountain of the Lord’s house;” as it is said: “It shall come to pass in the later days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains; and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it” (Isaiah 2:2). What is this mountain but the Person of the Lord Christ, the true Rock that flows the water of the Spirit on His people (1 Corinthians 10:4), the Mountain that the prophet Daniel saw filling the whole earth (Daniel 2:35, 45). St. Augustine says: [The mountain as we learn from the prophetic testimony is the Lord Himself1.] And Origen calls us to ascend the high mountains, saying: [It is enough for you not to stay on the ground, nor to dwell in the plains, or to linger in the lowly places2.] Probably the most prominent mountains mentioned in the Holy Bible are: (1) Mount Ararat: In nowadays Turkey, where the ark of Noah came to rest (Genesis 8:4); where the Church, that was saved from the great flood of the world, comes to rest in the heights, in heaven itself, having no place in the low places. (2) Mount Sinai: Or Horeb; North-east of Egypt; where the prophet Moses received the Law (Exodus 19:2-25). We go together with Moses up the mountain to enjoy receiving the commandment, engraved in the depths of the soul, not on tablets of stone, but on the heart itself, by the fiery Holy Spirit. (3) Mount Ebal: Opposite to Mount Gerizim; where Moses was commanded to build an altar for the Lord, once they enter into the Promised Land. As the believer could not offer his life a sacrifice of love to God, while preoccupied with lowly things. (4) Mount Gerizim: On which the Lord Christ spoke to the Samaritan woman by the well (John 4:20), who left back her water-pot and set forth to the city inviting all its people to come to see, to hear, and to experience what she did: the sweetness of the work of the Savior, Lover of mankind. (5) Mount Nebo: (or the Pisgeh): On the top of which Moses saw from afar 1 Sermons on N.T. Lessons 39:2. 2 In Num. Hom. 3. 11 the Promised Land with his own eyes, but did not enter into it. Having been a symbol of the Law; he was helpless to bring the believer into heaven – the eternal Canaan; but reveals it to him from afar, to bind himself to Jesus (Joshua son of Nun), who alone can bring him into it. It was said that God buried Moses on that mountain with His own hands, as it was imperative for the body, namely, the letter of the Law, to die, in order for us to enjoy the life risen in Jesus Christ through the Spirit. (6) Mount Carmel: On which the prophet Elijah overcame the prophet of Baal (1 Kings 18:9-42). Whoever does not ascend the Lord’s mountain, would not be able to destroy the devil, his hosts, ministers, all his tricks, and authority. (7) Mount Gilboa: Where king Saul and his sons were killed in a battle against the Philistines ((1 Chronicles 10:1, 8). On the holy mountains the prince of this world would fall and go down dead. (8) Mount Aaron: Represents the northern frontier, reached by the children of Israel, led by Joshua, in the land of Canaan. (9) The Mount of Olives: On which the Lord Christ gave His talk on His ultimate coming (Matthew 24; 3). Forsaking the earthly things, man ascends as though on the Mount of Olives, to sit at the feet of the Savior to taste His sweet promise of His second coming. (10) Mount of Lebanon: The source of Cedar wood used by king Solomon to build the temple of Jerusalem (1 Kings 5; 14, 18). So that is how the soul ascends on the Lord’s mountains; on the tree of the cross together with her crucified Groom; unless she is crucified together with Him, she would not be able to set His holy temple in the inner Jerusalem; in the depths of the heart. 12 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY (Chapter 34) GRANT ME THE GIFT OF DEATH When will my mission be successfully realized? To ascend together with the prophet Moses, and receive the gift of death. I wish I would not die at the foot of the mountain. But to ascend to the top of the holy mountain. To rise up above every earthly thought and temporal lust. There, my heart would flare, yearning to see You. I do not seek a place where my dead body would be buried. Nor someone to care for shrouding and burying me. As, whether I live or die, I am Yours. You take care of me until I encounter You. Stretch Your hand to work through me. Let me rejoice, getting in touch with the leaderships of the new generation. You are the true Leader along all generations.
Welcome