Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-09-19
The SABBATH SCR00L.
International Lesson C0mments for
September II.
Subject: The Death of Moses, Deut. xxxiv., ~
Golden Text, Elk. xxxii, il-Menory
Verses, S.7-Commsntary on Lesson.

!. Plains of Moab" The level plain
east Of the Jordan, where Israel was en-.
camped. "Nebo--Pisgah." Hsgah was
range Of the mountain system east Of the
Dead Sea and Jordan; Nebo was one o.
the submits Of this range. "0 Gilead
unto Dam" This was the land on the east
Of the Jordan that was to be possessed BY
the tribes of Reuben and Cad and the hail
tribes of Manasseh.
2. call Naphtali" Moses also viewed
the land on the west of the Jordan. Naph
tail was to have possession On the north
ern border of Canaan, the possessions Of
Ephraim and Manasseh were in the cen.
tire, while Judah was to occupy the south
ern part of the land. In Christ's time the
three grand divisions on the west OF Pales
tine were Galilee on the north, Samaria IN
the centre, and Judea on the south. I'm
to the utmost sea-" The Mediterranean
Sea.
8. "The south" Probably referring to
the region south of Canaan proper, toward
the desert. Valley Of Jericho" His view
was from the southern slopes Of Lebanon
s eity Immediately I before him. zoar."
Not definitely located, but probably near
the southern extremity Of the Dead Sea-
4. unto Abraham" etc. Gen. II: Z;
26: 8, 4; %: 1918. ITO see it." There was
no miraculous power Of vision impaired to
Moses. That he should see all that is de-
scribed is what any man could do II he at
tanned sufficient elevation. The atmos
phere of that country is free from vapor,
and the sight is carried a long distance
He could not enter the promised land on
earth, but God gave him vision OF 1T
glories from Pisgah's top, showing him that
he had accomplished his work, that his hfe
had been successful This scene has ever
been type of the visions OF heaven, the
periences of the Christians promised land,
which God gives to His people. The set
ting day is radiant with cloud glortes un.
seen even at MONDAY. Gods word has
open windows through which shipc
giimpses Of heaven and ideals OF the
blessed life. But these visions come after
faithful service and the ripening Of the
character In love and trust. "Shalt not 60
over" See Mum. 20: 8.lS. In Meribah
when the people needed water the Lord
told Moses to speak to the rock, but IN
stead of doing as directed he smote it
twice. He also spoke unadvisedly with
his lips, calling the people "rebels," and be
failed to acknowledge God in the miracle.
The Lord immediately told Moses and
Aaron that they would not be permitted to
enter Canaan.
5. Servant of the Lord" This is title
Of great dignity: Moses had been eminent
b. useful. It was more his honor to be the
servant of the Lord than to be king OF
Jeshurun. No one can be called the serv-
ant of the Lord who does not conquer the
world, who is not able to overcome all
things. Died" There is a mystery in
connection with the death and burial Of
Moses; there are some who think he was
Immediately translated According to the
word" Literally, at the mouth Of Jeho-
vah Some of the rabbins interpret it, By
a kiss Of Jehovah. The Jerusalem Targum
expressly explains it, according to the SEN
tence of the decree Of Jehovah. The great
est men are but Instruments in Gods
hands, and He can lay them aside when
ever He chooses. None are indispensable
with Him. This should, !. Cause us to gee
our own littleness. 2. Dispel our fears for
the future of the church.
6. HE buried him." That is, God bur-
led him. This is an honor no human being
ever received besides him. From Jude Q
it appears that Michael, the archangel, was
employed on this occasion, and that Satan
disputed the matter with him. Why did
the Lord bury Moses? 1t hardly seems
probable that the object was to keep the
fsraelites from making his tomb an object
of idolatrous worship. The tomb Of the pa.
triarchs was known, and the bones OF
Joseph were then in camp on their way to
burial, yet neither tombs nor bones were
worshiped. The following view Of Kurtz
is worth considering: Jehovah did not in
tend to leave the body of Moses to corrup.
ton, but at the very time OF his burial
communicated some virtue by His own
hand which saved the body from ccrrup'
ton, and prepared for the patriarch
transition into the same state Of existence
into which Enoch and Elijah were ad-
mitted without either death or burial. AS
an example Of justice Jehovah caused him
to die before the people entered the land
Of rest and promise, but as an example OF
grace He prepared him an entrance into an
other land Of promise and rest This view
is also held by the Homiletic Commentary,
and by the Speakers and Whedon's com
mentaries.
7. can hundred and twenty" The life
of Moses was divided into three periods of
forty years each. l. He was in Egypt
forty years, during which time he was
trained, first in his own home, and after
ward in the household Of Pharaoh. 2.
He was in INDIAN forty years, caring for
the sheep of his father-in.law, in the very
wilderness where he was to lead forth the
children of Israel. 8. The first eighty
years of his life was only preparation for
his life work, which was the delverance of
Israel For forty years he led the people
of God in their wanderings, as they jour
neyed toward Canaan. mot dim" Moses
did not die Of disease. He was young even
in old age. =.
8. "Thirty days" The usual time Of
mourning for persons Of position and emf
hence. See Mum. 90: 20.
O. Esprit of wisdom" He possessed
other gifts and graces also, but wisdom is
mentioned as being most necessary for the
government to which he was now called.
"Laid his hands" See Mum. a. 1923.
The Lord had directed Moses to invest
Joshua with authority. In chapter 81: 7,
s, Moses gives him brief and impressive
charge. E'Harkened." They submitted
themselves respectfully to Joshua, because
God had appointed him as their leader by
the hand OF Moses.
1912. "Not-ike unto Moses" Joshua
was filled with the spirit of practical wis
dom, but was not like Moses, gifted with
power to work signs and miracles, to found
a kingdom and create nation. None, ex-
cept Jesus, equalled Moses in official dig
nifty, holy character and intimate friend
ship with God. Moses knew God and free.
ly and Familiarity conversed with Him. In
whatever light we view this extraordinary
man the eulogy pronounced in these I'M
spired verses will appear Just.