Death of Moses
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depart on a new and mysterious errand. He must go forth to resign his
life into the hands of his Creator. He knew that he was to die alone; no
earthly friend would be permitted to minister to him in his last hours.
There was a mystery and awfulness about the scene from which his
heart shrank. The severest trial was his separation from the people
with whom his life had so long been united. But with unquestioning
faith he committed himself and his people to God’s love and mercy.
Moses’ Last Blessing
For the last time Moses stood in the assembly of his people. Again
the Spirit of God rested upon him, and in sublime and touching lan-
guage he pronounced a blessing upon each of the tribes, closing with
a benediction upon them all:
The eternal God is thy dwelling place,
And underneath are the everlasting arms... .
And Israel dwelleth in safety,
The fountain of Jacob alone,
In a land of corn and wine;
Yea, his heavens drop down dew.
Happy art thou, O Israel:
Who is like unto thee,
A people saved by Jehovah,
The shield of thy help.
Deuteronomy 33:27-29
Moses turned from the congregation, and in silence and alone made
his way up “the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah.” Upon that
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lonely height he stood and gazed with undimmed eye upon the scene
spread out before him.
Far away to the west lay the blue waters of the Great Sea. In
the north Mount Hermon stood out against the sky. To the east was
the tableland of Moab. And beyond lay Bashan, the scene of Israel’s
triumph. To the south stretched the desert of their long wanderings.
In solitude Moses reviewed his life of hardships since he turned
from courtly honors and from a prospective kingdom in Egypt, to cast
his lot with God’s chosen people. He called to mind those long years in