The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-13
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUBJECT: THE DEATH OF MOSES AND THE AP-
PoINTArENT OF JOSHUA AS SUCCESSOR.
We first consider the decease of Moses.
l. Time.
Moses died in the year 1858 A. NJ, OF in the
year 1451 B. c. Hence we study an event
which happened 3,341 years ago he was 100
years old. ". ~ His life was composed of
three groups of 40 years each. For 40 years he
was a friend of Pharaoh acts, Z /: 23) ; for 40
years more the shepherd of Jethro Acts, z: 30),
and for 10 years in addition the leader of the
Israelites. He spent 40 years in luxury, 40
years IN labor, and 40 years in leadership. For
10 years he was q courtier, 40 an exile, and 40
a Commanding General. His decease occurred
In the 10th year of the exodus. For months
before, Moses knew he was not to enter the
Promised Land At thevery time when Moses
Canaan, God pronounced the sentence. (Nu.,
20: 2-13, verse II in specially
q Place.
The children of Israel had reached their last
station before crossing the river Jordan. They
were in the plains of Moab. ". l. Also, NJ,
SO 49, The facts and words related in chap
ters 81, 80 and 36 of Numbers were done and
said on these plains. The Book of Deuter-
Onomy was written and proclaimed there. East
OF the plains extended north and south the
Mountains of Abarim for 80 miles, with a
breadth Of 20 miles. In this range was an ele-
waited ridge, known as Mk Pisgah, the summit
being called Nebo. 1t was in line stretching
east from Jericho. Nebo is about $500 feet
above the sea. The word Nebo means projec-
tion, The modern name is Jubel Nebbeh.
There was heather deity named Nebo. Prob
ably there was an altar erected on the summit
to his memory, giving name to the spot. There
was much uncertainty as to the indentity of
Mt Pisgah until 1864. DIR. TristTam assembled
the peak in 1872. E. II. Palmer reached the
top two years earlier. DR.. Robinson refers to
a village three miles southwest of HeshbOn,
called Neba. The particular spot for the death
of Moses was designated by Jehovah. (Deu.,
81 49, All travellers who ascend Mt. Nebo
speak of the wonderful range afforded the sight
from said peak. DR.. Tristram speaks of q clear
distant view of western Palestine and the
whole Judaean range from far south of Hebron
to Galiee." He states specifically he ''cOuld
see the west side of the Dead Sea, from Engedi
northward; Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Mizpeh
Ebal and Gerizim easily made out; the OPEN
ing of the vale of Shechem, and the ridge of
Carmel" (See Nu., q 20; %: 12-14; 80 AZ;
Deu., 1896, 81; 80 1852; Isa., 1872; 2
Mac, 2:4) In the lesson the places seen
are mentioned. With favorable atmos-
phere it is possible from Mt. Nebo to
see the localities named. We are re-
minded of our Sayior's range Of vision from
Dit. Quarantania at the time Of his temptation.
The question has been raised as to how Moses
saw tho lands specified. Some have imagined
God drew map and indicated geographically
the places. But if so, why ascend the mount
ain? One could see a map in the plain. Others
have supposed God impaired to Moses miracu-
lOus keenness of vision, enabling him to see
each spot in detail. But we are not to resort
to the miraculous too freely. We know that
for all practical purposes view can be OBJ
ta&ned from Nebo of all the Promised Land.
g. The Author
Much has been said as to the writer of Deuter-
onomy, chapter "a. Itcould not have been Moses
himself, for men do not write of their deaths and
burials. It would not, however, be reasonable
to draw the inference that if Moses did not
write the last chapter of Deuteronomy he did
not compose the rest of the Pentateuch. A
friendly hand adds a final chapter to every
autobiography, thussupplementing the volume
with an account of the decease and burial of
the person who was the subject of the volume
1t is plain chapter 81 is a later production. The
names Dan, Naphtali, etc, were not the names
of said places till after the death of Moses. We
can account for the fact the book of DeuterOn-
Omy has this last chapter. In early times the
Holy Scriptures were without the divisions of
books, chapters, paragraphs and verses. Then
it occurred to scholars that it would be of ad-
vantage TO make such divisions In doing so
the last chapter of Deuteronomy should have
been the first of the book of Joshua. We would
then be relieved of the absurdity of allowing a
man to detail the report of his death and burial.
4. Preparations for Death.
l. Moses delivered an address to the people,
reciting an account of the exodus and appoint
ing cities of refuge. (Deu., chapters to in
clusive)
2. He delivered second address (Deu., chap
tiers to 26 inclusiye) reinforcing the COM
mandments, ordinances, etc, Of Mt Sinai
). lie delivered a farewell address (See
chapters q to 80 inclusive)
4. lie commissioned and instructed Joshua
as his successor. (31: IS; II, 23.)
5. He gave instructions to the priests and
Levites as to the disposition of the Pentateuch
and the instruction of the people as to its con-
tents. 81: 9-1l; 2427.)
8. He composed a very tender parting ode.
(See chapter 32.)
z. He pronounced blessing on each tribe,
foreshadowng by prophetic power much of the
history of each tribe. Chapter 49,
5. The Death
The decease of Moses was purely penal and
exemplary as warning. He did not die from
any disease. va His death was due to his
sin at kadesh- Meribah. When commanded to
speak to a rock, and thus secure water, he be-
came inpatient and instead struck the rock
tNu, 20: y; 27: 12-l4; Deu., 1927; 80: 81. }
This was afterward a matter of deep regret to
Moses and he besought God to forgive him and
let him enter Canaan. (Deu., 3: 1921 But
the prayer was not answered. Aaron was a
party to the sin, and he died (Nu., 20: % -29 ;
q: 12-14)
When the time came God told Moses to go to
the top of Nebo. That was lonely journey.
Having looked over the promised territory,
Moses died. We cannot tell the nature of his
death. Some think that as God breathed the
breath of life into Adam, so he kissed it from
Moses The original for according to the
word of the Lord in Y. is literally " at the
mouth of the Lord" and hence the rabbis
claim God kissed away the life of Moses.
There was certainly no anger. God owned him
as his servant even after death. Josh, l: 2, T.
The effect Of furnishing Moses so severely has
had a salutary effect ever since in impressing
on mankind the great sin of disobeying God,
the certainty of punishment, the fact of the
divine impartiality, and the wickedness of
anger and Impotence.
Josephus gives the following account of the
death of Moses. OF course it is not authorita-
tive but it may be suggestive:
Amid the tears of the people, the women weep
ing and beating their breasts, and children giving
way to uncontrolled wailing, he departs At a
point in his ascent lie makes sign to the weeping
multitude to follow him further. Taking with
him only the elders, the High Priest Eleazar and
joshua they proceed to the top of the mountain
gether. There he dsmisses the elders, and then
alone with EleaZar and Joshua he embraces them,
and while still SDeH<inp "A poud 9TddauIX