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Death of Moses
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them of the miracles which the Lord did unto Pharaoh and all the
land of Egypt. He said to them, “But your eyes have seen all the
great acts of the Lord which He did. Therefore shall ye keep all
the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be
strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 11:7, 8
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Moses especially warned the children of Israel against being
seduced into idolatry. He earnestly charged them to obey the com-
mandments of God. If they would prove obedient and love the Lord
and serve Him with their undivided affections, He would give them
rain in due season and cause their vegetation to flourish, and increase
their cattle. They should also enjoy especial and exalted privileges,
and should triumph over their enemies.
Moses instructed the children of Israel in an earnest, impressive
manner. He knew that it was his last opportunity to address them. He
then finished writing in a book all the laws, judgments, and statutes
which God had given him, also the various regulations respecting
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sacrificial offerings. He placed the book in the hands of men in the
sacred office and requested that, for safe keeping, it should be put in
the side of the ark, for God’s care was continually upon that sacred
chest. This book of Moses was to be preserved, that the judges
of Israel might refer to it if any case should come up to make it
necessary. An erring people often understand God’s requirements to
suit their own case; therefore the book of Moses was preserved in a
most sacred place, for future reference.
Moses closed his last instructions to the people by a most power-
ful, prophetic address. It was pathetic and eloquent. By inspiration
of God he blessed separately the tribes of Israel. In his closing
words he dwelt largely upon the majesty of God and the excellency
of Israel, which would ever continue if they would obey God and
take hold of His strength.
The Decease and Resurrection of Moses
“And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain
of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the
Lord shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan. And all Naphtali,
and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah,