Moses Commanded to Ascend the Mount and Die
D. Davies. Deuteronomy 32:49-52 Get you up into this mountain Abarim, to mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho… I. THE APPARENTLY HARD PROVIDENCE WHICH BEFELL MOSES ON THIS OCCASION. 1. It was death in the presence of unaccomplished work — a work to which Moses had consecrated his life, for which he had sacrificed much, and to which he had proved preeminently faithful. 2. It was a death amid shattered plans and unfulfilled hopes. 3. It came to Moses when, although old, he was yet vigorous. II. BUT IT WAS ALSO A WISE AND LOVING PROVIDENCE. 1. It was the assertion of Divine impartiality. 2. It was a striking illustration of a man's sin following him in its results even when the sin itself has been forgiven. 3. It supplied a proof of the Divine adaptation of means towards the desired end. 4. It taught men that God was not dependent even upon the greatest and most honoured of His servants for the final triumph of His cause. (D. Davies.) Parallel Verses KJV: Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: WEB: "Go up into this mountain of Abarim, to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and see the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession;