The prayer of Moses recorded in this verse, and his own thoughts on it are very touching. He had suffered much both in body and mind; and it was natural enough for him to wish to see these people he has been leading established in it, and to enjoy a share of that inheritance himself, which he knew was a type of the heavenly kingdom.
“Sovereign LORD…what god is there in heaven or on earth WHO CAN DO THE DEEDS AND MIGHTY WORKS YOU DO?“(Deut. 3:24)
Moses was not permitted to go over Jordan (Remember, he struck the rock after God told him to “speak to the rock”)! He had grieved the Spirit of God, and The Lord passed a sentence against him of prohibiting from entering the Promised Land.
“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. For the LORD your God IS A CONSUMING FIRE, a jealous God.” (Deut. 4:23-24)
They had, therefore, every good reason of what to expect from God’s approval, and every evil to fear of what to expect from His being annoyed at them. I thank God for His everlasting mercy!
“For His anger lasts only a moment, but HIS FAVOR LASTS A LIFETIME; weeping may stay for the night, but REJOICING COMES IN THE MORNING.” (Psa. 30:5
NO MATTER WHAT MAY HAPPEN, OUR GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD!!!
-Bill Stockham