Lesson 13, December 18-24
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Numbers 20:1-13, Deuteronomy 31:2, 34:4, 34:1-12, Jude 9, 1 Corinthians 15:13-22.
Memory Text: “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude 9
As we have seen all quarter, Moses is the central mortal in Deuteronomy. His life, his character, his messages pervade the book. Though, yes, Deuteronomy is about God and His love for ‘am yisra’el, “the people of Israel,” God often used Moses to reveal that love and to speak to His people Israel.
Now, as we come to the end of the quarter, the end of our study of Deuteronomy, we come also to the end of Moses’ life, at least his life here.
“Moses knew that he was to die alone; no earthly friend would be permitted to minister to him in his last hours. There was a mystery and awfulness about the scene before him, from which his heart shrank. The severest trial was his separation from the people of his care and love — the people with whom his interest and his life had so long been united. But he had learned to trust in God, and with unquestioning faith he committed himself and his people to His love and mercy.” Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 470
As Moses’ life and ministry revealed much about the character of God, so, too, does his death and resurrection.
