Reflections on Jesus--Day 5

Let's talk about one of the most confounding stories in the OT--the preclusion of Moses from the Promised Land and his death and burial.  What's more, let's discuss this story in light of what we learned from Jesus.

I can't number the people that have said: "But it's not fair.  It's not fair for Moses to die for a slight sin and, therefore, not enter the Promised Land."  You recall the story.  The people needed water, and God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would issue forth.  Instead, Moses lost his temper with the people, struck the rock, and because of this, Moses was forbidden by God to enter the Promised Land.  Then, Moses died before the Israelites entered the Promised Land.  Fair or not fair?  When one views this event from only a worldly perspective, it was unfair.  However, when one views it from an other-worldly perspective, it's more than fair, it's gracious.

We learn from Jesus that there is a celestial kingdom--a palace with many rooms--that is our destination after death.  Jesus says that there will be no more pain, sorrow, or grief in Heaven.  In fact, Jesus tells us that there will be no sin of any kind in Heaven.  In contrast, what awaited the Israelites in the Promised Land?  The Israelites were going to have to fight to win the land.  While God had promised the land to them, they were going to lose many people in fighting to obtain the land.  So, instead of entering into a land filled with war, Moses entered into a sinless land.  Jesus' Second Coming is a promise that, when our earthly existence is married with out eternal existence, everything will be made new, will be set right--all worldly unfairness will be made fair, will be vindicated.

What's more, the death of Moses served a couple of purposes vis-a-vis the Israelites.  First, the Israelites virtually worshipped Moses.  They thought so highly of him that it is said that God buried Moses' body so that the Israelites would not know its location.  In other words, God was protecting the Israelites from the sin of idolatry.  I elaborated on this problem--that we all want to elevate men--in a prior blog: "Call No Man Father."

Second, Moses' sin lifted a burden from the Israelites.  We understand this once we consider Jesus' teaching about sanctification.  Jesus makes it clear that, if we are to attain righteousness before God based upon our actions, then we must be perfect.  But we can't be perfect.  This causes us to fall on our knees and receive the mercy of God.  We learn from Jesus that our  righteousness is born out of a relationship with Christ, not out of our good deeds.  This frees us from having to keep the law, from trying to keep the law, from having heavy burdens on our shoulders.  Since leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses had led an exemplary life.  If Moses had not sinned by striking the rock, the Israelites would have been left with a model for righteous living--the Israelites would have been left trying to live like Moses--they would have been bound under the law.


So, Moses' death and preclusion from the Promised Land becomes explicable when considered in light of the wonderful teachings of Christ--that earth is not our true home; and that our righteousness isn't based upon the burden of righteous living, but rather upon the sheer mercy of God.  Reflecting upon Christ answers many of the questions that we have about the OT.  As we come to know Christ more and more, the grace of God begins to leap forth from the pages of the OT.  What once was a conundrum for me has become a wealth of pictures of the boundless grace of God.

One final reflection--the Gospel is alive in America.  It has sputtered for many, many years under so-called Christian leaders whom I will leave nameless.  There are even some Christians in the public sphere who have good words for us, but still don't capture the Gospel in all of its radically.  Today, there is a new breath of true-Christianity issuing forth and receiving attention.  Two of the preachers that God is using most are Timothy Keller and Tullian Tchividjian.  Thanks to God both are now receiving national attention for their proclamation of the Gospel.  So, be in prayer for these men.   You can find Keller's sermons at his church's website--www.redeemer.com.  You can find Tullian's blog at:  www.thegospelcoalition.com.  I commend both of them to you.  Both will give you a greater love for God.