Question
Moses, the Man of God
Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
Key Verse 33:1
Read Deuteronomy 33:1. What does the expression "the man of God" indicate about Moses and his life of service for the Lord? (Hebrews 11:25)
Read verses 2-5. What does this passage tell us about the Lord Moses served?
Skim through verses 6-25 and consider Moses' words of blessing for the tribes of Israel. What does this passage tell us about Moses as a man of God?
Read verses 26-29. These are Moses' final words of blessing for the people Israel. In what respect was Israel blessed? What can we learn here about the way of blessing?
Read Deuteronomy 34:1-8 and compare this passage with 32:48-52. What does this comparison indicate about Moses as "the servant" of the Lord?
Read verse 9. What did Moses do for Joshua? What is wisdom? Why is the spirit of wisdom necessary for a leader?
Read verses 10-12. This passage speaks well of Moses. What is the secret of his success?
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Message
MOSES THE MAN OF GOD
Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
Key Verse 33:1
In today’s passage we will see how Moses the man of God was able to bless an entire nation and be a source of blessing to them for 40 years. May God bless us to be inspired as we think about his life of dedication to the LORD.
After living for 120 years and serving the Israelites for the last 40, we see Moses finishing his spiritual race. Uniquely, at the end of his life we see a very special description of Moses being used that is found no where else prior to this point. Look at verse 1. “This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death.” Here at the end of Deuteronomy, at the end of Moses’ life we see for the first time the expression “the man of God” being used to describe Moses. It may seem like this is another title like shepherd, missionary, pastor, etc. But this expression is far more pertinent because it speaks of Moses’ spiritual life and not about his positional life. Positionally, God placed Moses as the leader. He was like a Mayor (Mayor Moses) and the 70 elders were like the city council. But, “Moses the Man of God” is not another positional title. It is far more important because it speaks of the highest level of spiritual life a servant of God can achieve.
Another way to look at it is by imagining a university with many different colleges. You could go to one college at this university and get a degree in Business and then maybe go to another college and get a degree in Art. Just to get two degrees you would have to study really, really hard. But imagine there was a major called “all majors”. If you majored in “all majors” your degree would be equivalent to having a degree from every college (art, business, mathematics, etc.) all wrapped-up into one. With such an education you would be prepared to do any job and would be ready for any challenge. This is what it’s like to be a “man of God”.
It is therefore no surprise that those who took on the most diverse and hard problems found in the Bible were said to be a “man of God.” This status is given to Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha and David. Think about the various problems and different situations they faced through out their lives and how they powerfully solved them because they were spiritually a “man of God”. Moses, for example, brought down 7 judgments on Egypt so that Pharaoh let the people go. As a “man of God” he parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape and then destroyed Pharaoh’s army when the waters came over them. As a “man of God” Moses administered justice to countless people and solved their problems on a daily bases. What issue arouse that Moses wasn’t able to solve? Moses’ abilities were unlimited because he was a “man of God”.
What about others who didn’t have such a status? Think about Solomon, over and over the Bible says he was a “man of wisdom”. But this wasn’t good enough to solve the problems he faced in his personal and public life. He had tons of wisdom but it wasn’t good enough to solve his personal sin problems. And Noah, even after building an ark by faith is said to have been a “man of the soil”. This means that he was excited about growing grapes too much and as a result he got drunk and problems occurred. So even though he did a good job on the ark, being a “man of the soil” eventually got him in trouble. It is very possible therefore to be a servant of God and yet not be a “man of God.” Many have served God and won victories but only those who developed their spiritual life fully won consecutive smashing victories.
When we look at Moses’ life he was like this. So what was his secret to success? The answer is once again found in his spiritual position. So what does, “Moses the man of God” mean? It basically tells us that there was far more God in Moses than Moses in Moses. That is, Moses reached the point where God’s character overshadowed his own character. So when you looked at Moses you saw God living through a man. When you looked at Moses you didn’t see a man but God living through him.
What did God do with Moses’ life once he got a hold of it? Look at verse 1 again, “This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death.” God took Moses and made him into a blessing for others. We know this is true because throughout Moses’ 40 years of serving the Israelites and after all the hardship they caused him, he now stands to pronounce a blessing on them. God is a God of blessing so “Moses the man of God” was a man of blessing. And since God is consistently blessing and serving all people, Moses lived as a consistent source of blessing too.
So how did he bless the Israelites? Let’s do an overview of all the verses, look at verses 2-28. In verses 2-5, Moses begins by restating the spiritual blessings that they have already attained. He basically says that God revealed himself to the Israelites (“The LORD came from Sinai…”) and when he came to the Israelites he showed love to them by instructing them and giving his law. This was the best blessing these poor slaves could ever hope for because it gave them spiritual direction for their lives. During that same time, the LORD revealed himself as their king. This was another blessing for these former slaves because they only knew the cruelty of a slave-driver. Being under God’s kingship was an awesome blessing because he loved them.
Now in verses 6-25, Moses pronounces the physical blessings on the Israelites. He goes through several tribes and talks about what God is going to do for their physical well-being. This might have been the Israelite’s favorite part of Moses’ blessing because after hearing so many warnings and exhortations they were hearing about how God was going to make their life enjoyable in the future. It is important to note that among the tribes being blessed, the tribe of Levi and the two tribes of Joseph get the most attention. Strangely, back in Genesis 48, Jacob cursed Levi and his brother Simeon because they were cold-blooded murderers. The tribe of Simeon is missing from Moses’ blessing which seems to be consistent with Jacob’s curse. However, the Levites seem to have risen above their father’s mistakes and because of their commitment they receive a lot of attention and blessing here. The tribes of Joseph are blessed abundantly here too. Amazingly, Joseph, though long past was still a source of blessing because of his dedication to the LORD. Moses’ abundant blessing on Emphaim and Mannaseh seems to be based on what Joseph did so long ago. When Joseph served the LORD he was blessed as well as his descendants.
So after mentioning many physical blessings, Moses closes his blessing by declaring that God is their refuge and security (v.26-29). They wouldn’t have to worry about losing all these physical blessings because God would drive out their enemy and would make sure their spring of blessing was secure. Life security is always a big issue and here Moses speaks of the blessing that God has this covered. Lastly, in his blessing he says, “Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD?” Truly, even though physical blessings are so good the best blessing of all is the blessing of salvation and having been saved by the LORD!
It is important to note that Moses begins his blessing talking about the true blessing of God’s kingship and Word and then he moves into the physical blessing for a while but before closing he comes back to the spiritual blessing in God. This shows that as a “man of God”, Moses knew how to serve a true blessing by always putting spiritual blessings first and didn’t forget to close his blessing by coming back to it again.
Now, In the last chapter of Deuteronomy, chapter 34 we learn how God took Moses up Mount Nebo and showed him the promise land.
Let’s read verses 1-4.
1 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."
These verses show how the LORD desired to show Moses the land the Israelites were going to enter. Even though Moses wasn’t going to go in with them, Moses worked tirelessly to prepare the people for it. As a “man of God’ Moses was used as a blessing to prepare people for the promise land. His service was completely selfless because he prepared others for a life that he himself would not experience. This tells us a lot about the life of a “man of God”, he serves a “give, give” relationship with others. There is a lot of loss for the sake of others gain. Can you imagine working hard at a job mopping floors and cleaning toilets 60 hours a week and then having your paycheck directly deposited into someone else’s account? Can you imagine being happy for that person even when after receiving all that money they never say thank you? And what if they wanted to kill you, would you be able to keep going back to that job just to put more money in their account? But this is what “Moses the man of God” did year after year for forty years. This one point of “self-sacrifice” may be the main point of contention that turns-off many servants of God from becoming a “man of God.” For me this has always been a roadblock. Whenever I start getting serious with serving God I get moving really good and then hit this wall where I realize if I am to go any farther I have to become completely selfless and labor hard for others benefit. But now I am praying to break through this barrier and forsake my self-serving thoughts by God’s power.
Let’s read verses 5-9.
5 And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. 9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.
We see here that because he was filled with God, Moses the man of God was able to bless Joshua and lay his hands on him and thereby receive the spirit of wisdom. Joshua then grew up as a leader who continued the legacy Moses began in his ministry. We can know then that a man of God is able to raise up qualified people who are able to teach others and carry forward a spiritual legacy. Disciple making is not an easy task but as we become more like a man of God are successes in this area will increase.
Lets read verses 10-12
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Here in these last couple of verses we find that Moses’ secret to success was indeed his deep personal relationship with God. Having a relationship with God is a great blessing but Moses got very, very close to God (knew face to face). This was the result of his deep humility and ability to become an empty vessel. He became an empty vessel through a lot of repentance and a lot of dedication to God and of course focus. But when he did become an empty vessel (really humble) God came into his life in a big way and as a result he became Moses the man of God. He became so fruitful as a source of blessing. And that is the key point of Moses’ life — he was empty of himself, filled with God and became a blessing because the one who filled him is the source of all blessings. This was his spiritual legacy and secret to a life of being a blessing.
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Biblenote
Moses, the Man of God
Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12
Key Verse 33:1
** This passage talks about Moses' person and Moses' work, and the secret of his phenomenal success.
Read Deuteronomy 33:1. What does the expression "the man of God" indicate about Moses and his life of service for the Lord? (Hebrews 11:25)
** Moses did not belong to himself but to God. He was not his own man.
** He fully served the Lord God. He did not have his own agenda. He fully dedicated himself to serving the Lord and the Lord's purpose. He made the decision to leave a pleasure-seeking life, and to suffer for God's people, all for the glory of God.
Read verses 2-5. What does this passage tell us about the Lord Moses served?
** The Lord reveals himself to those who are ready for his revelation, so that by the revelations from the Lord's mountain people would come to know the Lord as the king and live under his blessed rule, and be used by the Lord serving the purpose the Lord has for all peoples on earth.
Note 1: vs. 2b, "from His right had came the fiery law for them" (New King James Version) "the fire of religion to them from his right hand" (Living Torah as translated by Aryeh Kapan).
Note 2: Seir – Esau (man of flesh)'s territory (Gen 36-8-9); Paran – Ishmael's territory (the fruit of compromise between the world and the God of Israel, or the compromise between flesh and the Spirit of God)
The Lord came with his revelations (the law of God, or simply the first five books of the Bible) by passing through Esau and Ishmael, only to arrive at the place where Israel were camped. This alludes to the truth that God found Esau and Ishmael not worthy of receiving God's revelations.
Skim through verses 6-25 and consider Moses' words of blessing for the tribes of Israel. What does this passage tell us about Moses as the man of God?
** He received from the Lord the ability to see the flock of God from God's point of view, and bless his people according to the possibility they had in God, for God is willing to bless his people as much as they can possibly bear.
His sheep gave him a hard time. Some of them even tried to stone him to death. They always complained to Moses, never saying, "Thank you Moses". Yet the Lord blessed his sheep to get into the land, but did not allow Moses (who suffered so much for them) to get in. However, Moses did not become angry at them. He did not feel sorry for himself. He did not complain to God for this seemingly unequal treatment. Rather with a loving heart for the flock of God, as he sends them into the Promised Land, he has the heart to bless all of them one by one. This is a sign of a man who is truly born of God. This indicates that Moses lived in a domain which is above creation. So he was not subject to the things or people of this world; rather he was ruled by the Lord God; he bound himself and the world to God in whom there is simple unification.
Note:
V. 6 – Reuben: Moses might have been concerned about his tribe living outside of the boundary of the Promised Land, being subject to foreign attacks
Simeon is mission. Most likely it is in association with Gen 49:5-7.
V. 8 – Your = the Lord's; you = the Lord; contended (together) with him, indicating the Levites stood by Moses in times of Moses being challenged by the rest of the flock
V. 9 – Because the Levites were given out to God (being torn away from the family relationships), categorically (by God's command) they were not allowed to get involved in the family duties such as taking care of their parents, or attending the family picnic, etc. [During the public holidays like the feast of the Tabernacle, they had to serve the Lord and the general public.]
V. 20b – Gad also lived outside the boundary of the Promised Land, so Moses prayed for them that their territories would not decrease (due to enemies around attacking) but rather expand.
V. 22 - Although Dan is described as a lion's cub, he will eventually turn out to be a viper (49:17) which is symbolic of the lawless man to appear. Dan's territory is directly to the west of Bashan.
V. 24 – Asher is such a good cook that his brother must have liked him very much (cf. Gen 49:20)
Read verses 26-29. These are Moses' final words of blessing for the people Israel. In what respect was Israel blessed? What can we learn here about the way of blessing?
** It is because of the blessed Lord who is for them "the only true God who alone is eternal, who is their own refuge, the spring (or source) of life, the shield, and helper.
** We must be a godly person, devoting to serving the Lord, and then as we bind ourselves and the things we have to the Lord, the Lord uses us to bless others in the way Moses did for his flock.
Read Deuteronomy 34:1-8 and compare this passage with 32:48-52. What does this comparison indicate about Moses as "the servant" of the Lord?
** He did not forget his position as a "servant", for a servant cannot and does not ask the master, "Give me this or give me that" or "Why do you treat me like this?"
Read Luke 17:10
Read verse 9. What did Moses do for Joshua? What is wisdom? Why is the spirit of wisdom necessary for a leader?
** Wisdom refers to the capability to distinguish what is right (or good) from what is wrong (or evil), shun the evil, and keep evil out of one's life.
** The spirit of wisdom leads the flock of God to rise above the creation, so they would find themselves in the presence of God where there is a perfect unity of love peace and joy.
Read verses 10-12. This passage speaks well of Moses. What is the secret of his success?
** The phrase "face to face" indicates his intimate knowledge (experience) of the Lord, with zero gap. He bound himself fully to God. This became the source of his success in his being (as a man of God) and in his deeds (accomplishments such as wonder and signs).
The end
Religion = Esh Dath (Esh in Hebrew – fire; Dath in Hebrew – royal law or way)
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