The Lord told Moses he would not be allowed to enter the land of promise “because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel” (Deut. 32:51). Yet, in His mercy, the Lord allowed Moses to see the land He was giving Israel (Deut. 32:52). Come now with Moses and let us “go up this mountain” to the top of Pisgah and there lift up our eyes to see the depth and breadth of the divine purposes and plans for the people of God (Deut. 32:49; 34:1).

From the top of Pisgah we see God keeping His promises. With Moses, can you see the hills of Ephraim and the coastal plains as they slope to the Mediterranean? From the heights of Naphtali to the southern plains of Judah, see with Moses the “exceedingly good land” traversed by Joshua and Caleb in the day the spies passed through it (Num. 14:7). From the top of Pisgah we see God keeping the land promise He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’ (Deut. 34:4). Under the leadership of Joshua God would cause Israel to enter and inherit the land promised to their fathers (Deut. 31:7, 23; 4:21-22; Josh. 11:23; 21:43). Similarly, under the leadership of Christ, the Lord God will lead Christians into a heavenly country of eternal rest (Heb. 4:8-10). Since God’s faithful ones will certainly cross Jordan into the heavenly land, let us be “diligent to enter that rest” (Heb. 4:11; 3:6, 14; 5:9; 11:13-16).

From the top of Pisgah we see the power of God. By His might, the Almighty would “cast out many nations before” Israel that were “greater and mightier than you” (Deut. 7:1). Even before the first battle was set, the victory was assured: “Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel” (Num. 27:12).  But, although “the Lord fought for Israel” and graciously gave Israel her inheritance, Israel would have to courageously engage the enemy and obediently wield the sword of faith (Josh. 10:14, 42; 1:7-9; 10:28-43). As in those ancient days, it is the Lord our God “who goes before you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). So, in the boldness of faith, let us take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” and with it fight the good fight of faith against sin and error and lay hold of eternal life (Eph. 6:17; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). God’s grace will give victory to those of humble faith (Heb. 11:30-40; Jas. 4:6).

From the top of Pisgah we see punishment and redemption from God. Look in the distance and you can make out God’s eventual judgment upon a rebellious people. Israel would “turn aside from the way” commanded by Moses and provoke God with evil works (Deut. 31:29). With prophetic certainty and sadness Moses denounced Israel as “a perverse and crooked generation” who repaid God’s goodness with corruption (Deut. 32:4-6). God would attempt to restore Israel to repentance as He rendered just vengeance upon His enemies and provided atonement for His land and His people (Deut. 32:34-43). 

In the Lord Jesus Christ, the nations rejoice with Israel, for “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Deut. 32:43; Rom. 15:10; 10:11-13). What will you and I reap: Redemption or retribution? 

Can you see the promised land? We will enter that rest through diligent, obedient faith (Heb. 4:1-13). 

-Reprint with editing
The Spirit’s Sword, June 29, 2003