WHAT MOSES SAW ON MOUNT NEBO
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INTRODUCTION
In Deuteronomy 34, one reads of Moses climbing Mount Nebo to view the promised land of Canaan
In Deuteronomy 34, one reads of Moses climbing Mount Nebo to view the promised land of Canaan
At the age of 120, Moses, with his eyes “not dim” and his and “his natural force unabated,” was shown by God the land that He had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
To these men, God said, “I will give it unto thy seed.”
In the Bible, one will notice that “Mountains” were often used by God to convey His word unto man.
In the Bible, one will notice that “Mountains” were often used by God to convey His word unto man.
We read of Mount Sinai in the giving of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:20).
Jesus gave an unforgettable discourse on a mountain, His “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt. 5-7)
In Matthew 17, we read of the Mount of Transfiguration.
On Mt Zion, where Jerusalem resided, the first Gospel sermon was preached (Acts 2)
However, our study concerns a Mount named Nebo.
However, our study concerns a Mount named Nebo.
It was upon this mountain that God showed Moses the promised land.
The “promise land” became the “prohibited land”to Moses because of his sin in Numbers 20:1-12.
Although Moses was not able to enter the promise land, he was able to view the beautiful land.
Let us notice some things that Moses was able to see as he looked outward toward Canaan.
Let us notice some things that Moses was able to see as he looked outward toward Canaan.
DISCUSSION
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW CANAAN - THE LAND OF REST
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW CANAAN - THE LAND OF REST
Certainly, one thing that Moses was able to see upon Mount Nebo was Canaan
Certainly, one thing that Moses was able to see upon Mount Nebo was Canaan
1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And Jehovah showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the hinder sea, 3 and the South, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm-trees, unto Zoar. 4 And Jehovah said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
This land that Moses saw was the land of rest for the Israelites.
This land that Moses saw was the land of rest for the Israelites.
It was called the land of rest in Hebrews 3:11
It was a land wherein God's people could develop into a nation that God intended them to be.
This was the land that Joshua would later lead God's people into.
Today God has provided for us a glimpse into the land of rest.
Today God has provided for us a glimpse into the land of rest.
It is not a view from Mount Nebo, but a view from the “Mountain of the Jehovah's House” (Isa. 2:2)
Today everyone has excess to the mountain - that will allow them to look over into the promise land - the land of rest.
What is sad though, many refuse to look, and will not gain the needed encouragement to want to enter in.
Notice one of the glimpses that God gives of the land of rest, the promise land… Revelation 21:9-27
Notice one of the glimpses that God gives of the land of rest, the promise land… Revelation 21:9-27
The size (vs. 16-17):
1,500 miles in each direction
33 million sq miles of floor space
“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones” (v. 19)
Twelve gates into the city were each a single large pearl (v. 21)
The streets were made of gold (v. 21)
The Lamb of God is the light of the city (v. 23)
Nothing unclean would be in the city (v. 27)
Beloved, we need to be looking toward this city!
Beloved, we need to be looking toward this city!
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW REBELLION'S COST
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW REBELLION'S COST
In Numbers 20 we find Israel griping to Moses for their lack of water…
In Numbers 20 we find Israel griping to Moses for their lack of water…
Notice God’s command to Moses…
8 Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink.
God's command to Moses to speak to the rock to gather water for the murmuring Israelites
Rather than speaking, however, Moses struck the rock twice with his rod.
Rather than speaking, however, Moses struck the rock twice with his rod.
Moses told the people, “Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10)
On this occasion, Moses himself became a rebel!
32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes; 33 Because they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
… Moses rebelled against God's command.
With this rebellion, there was also the cost…
With this rebellion, there was also the cost…
12 And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed not in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.
Notice what Moses said in...
Notice what Moses said in...
37 Also Jehovah was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither:
Rebellion does have its cost
Rebellion does have its cost
Do remember the events of 1 Samuel 15?
Saul was commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites
But…
The result…
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW THE RESTRAINT OF SIN
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW THE RESTRAINT OF SIN
Sin held Moses back from entering Canaan.
Sin held Moses back from entering Canaan.
Although Moses was unable to enter the promise land, He, no doubt, will be in spiritual Canaan.
We see Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17)
But the message for us is this: Just as sin restrained Moses, sin also can and does restrain us
But the message for us is this: Just as sin restrained Moses, sin also can and does restrain us
Sin can restrain us mentally
Sin can restrain us mentally
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
Sin will not allow our minds to rest
Sin holds us back from happiness and contentment
In Luke 15;17 we see that sin had restrained the prodigal son – for the text says, “when he came to himself.”
Sin hinders proper thinking
Sin restrains us spiritually
Sin restrains us spiritually
1 Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Sin separates/restrains man from his Creator
Sin restrains us from service to God
Sin restrains us from service to God
David realized this
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Sin restrains man in his fellowship with God
Sin restrains man in his fellowship with God
7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
Moses was able to see the restraint of sin as God told him he would not enter the promise land because of sin.
Moses was able to see the restraint of sin as God told him he would not enter the promise land because of sin.
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW THE RIGIDNESS OF GOD'S WORD
ON MOUNT NEBO MOSES SAW THE RIGIDNESS OF GOD'S WORD
Moses was able to see that God meant what He said!
Moses was able to see that God meant what He said!
Moses pleads with God…
Moses pleads with God…
25 Let me go over, I pray thee, and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
Notice...
Notice...
26 But Jehovah was wroth with me for your sakes, and hearkened not unto me; and Jehovah said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. 27 Get thee up unto the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Here we see that God's word is rigid, stable, and firmly fixed
Moses was not only able to see that God's word was rigid about his not entering Canaan, but he was also able to see the rigidity of God's word concerning his death…
Moses was not only able to see that God's word was rigid about his not entering Canaan, but he was also able to see the rigidity of God's word concerning his death…
5 So Moses the servant of Jehovah died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Jehovah.
Yes, God's word is rigid and settled, as is clearly seen throughout the Bible:
Yes, God's word is rigid and settled, as is clearly seen throughout the Bible:
89 For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.
18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
On the Judgment Day, our verdict will be rigid
On the Judgment Day, our verdict will be rigid
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;
CONCLUSION
In this lesson, with an “eye of faith,” we have stood on Mount Nebo and have seen many things:
In this lesson, with an “eye of faith,” we have stood on Mount Nebo and have seen many things:
We have seen the land of rest
We have seen rebellion's cost
We have seen the restraint of sin
And, we have seen the rigidness of God word
Now the question is, what will you do with what you have seen?
Now the question is, what will you do with what you have seen?
Will you learn the lesson of Moses?
Or, will you ignore it and miss the promise land?
Remember…
Remember…
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.