Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Deuteronomy 34 Devotional

Waiting for a Greater Prophet

“Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—”Deuteronomy 34:10 (BSB)

Deuteronomy ends on a mountaintop. The LORD shows Moses the whole land, from Gilead to Dan, to the Western Sea and the Negev, and reminds him that this is the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (34:1-4). Moses sees it with his own eyes but does not enter. He dies there as the LORD had said, and the LORD himself buries him (34:5-6).

The book's last verses look both back and forward. Joshua leads now, filled with the spirit of wisdom (34:9). But no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face (34:10). Those words leave the promise of a prophet like Moses still waiting (18:15). Hebrews says Moses was faithful as a servant in God's house, but Christ is faithful as the Son over it (Hebrews 3:5-6). The greatest leader of the Old Testament brought Israel to the edge of the promise and died with it still ahead of him, yet the promise did not fail. Your unfinished work rests with the same faithful God.

To think about: What are you afraid of leaving unfinished, and how does God's faithfulness after Moses' death speak to that fear?

About Deuteronomy 34: The Death of Moses

From the top of Pisgah on Mount Nebo, the Lord shows Moses the whole promised land. Moses dies there at 120 years old with his strength undiminished, and the Lord buries him. Israel mourns thirty days, Joshua leads them, and no prophet has arisen like Moses, with whom the Lord spoke directly.

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