Deuteronomy 34

The days of Moses on this earth came to an end. Yet Moses appeared with Jesus and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Jesus used those words in order to prove true existence beyond the grave. God could also say now, “I am the God of Moses.” He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Moses is alive.

But Deuteronomy and the Torah have reached their fulfillment. Not only have we come to the last chapter in the books of the Law, but Jesus has fulfilled the Law with His death, and yet Jesus is alive. In fact, Moses is alive because Jesus is alive.

God allowed Moses to see the entire land of Canaan from afar, but He would not permit His servant to enter the land. Joshua, the servant of Moses, would become the next place-holder for the coming Messiah, and would lead the people into the land.

Moses died according to the Word of the Lord. His body was buried by God, but he was taken away into a better land. Even before Jesus was born as a baby in the city of Bethlehem, long before He said the words on the cross, “It is finished,” the saving work of Christ was so sure that Moses went to that place that the Son of God knew so well before He tented among us on this earth.

Moses lived His 120 years. He was not weak. “His vigor was unabated.” His death and burial came according to the will of Him who assures us that a day is coming when we will all be able to say without tears, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” God has given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. See Hosea 13:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:55. We still weep today, as Israel did at the death of Moses, but one day the Lord will wipe away every tear.

Moses had ordained Joshua to take his place. God filled him with the Spirit of wisdom for a new day.

Moses was a great man. He had great communion with God and worked powerful signs. But another prophet came, as Moses had said. See Deuteronomy 18:15. That Prophet had perfect communion with the Father and worked all the signs and wonders that the Messiah was to accomplish. Now He lives on high and gives us the Holy Spirit. He ever lives to intercede for us.

God gave the Law through Moses. He gave the authoritative Jewish commentary on the Law through all the prophets and writings of the rest of the Old Testament, and finally through the New Testament writings. But grace and truth came in person when Jesus the Messiah dwelt among us. To all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God. See John 1:12.