ADULT STS LESSON 148 MOSES’ FAREWELL CHARGE AND SONG

MEMORY VERSE: “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it” (Deuteronomy 31:7).   

 

TEXT: Deuteronomy 31:1-30; 32:1-52

The thrust of this study is on the parting words of Moses, sundry instructions and a charge to the children of Israel and Joshua, the son of Nun, in particular, who was to succeed him as the new leader. The end of the life and ministry of Moses, servant of the most High God, is thought provoking and highly instructive. It reminds us that our God is a God of decency and orderliness. It also reminds us of the scriptural admonition that: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…(Ecclesiastes 3:1,2). Moses was born and called into the ministry and a time came when he had to bid his people farewell and prepare them for the challenges ahead. God’s servants come and go at God’s command and appointed time but His word and work continues. It is instructive that as Moses came to the last days of his life, his major concern was still centred on the future welfare of his people and how they would maintain their covenant relationship with God. His last words to Israel reveal the tenderness of his heart and the loving concern he had for them. As a result, he was no longer bothered about his own exclusion from Canaan but made sure that leadership was successfully transferred to Joshua with Israel adequately prepared to accept him as their new leader. Moses did not leave a vacuum in leadership; neither did he take the matter of his successor lightly. Even so, in the church of the living God, the issue of leadership should not be handled with levity. Those to be appointed into leadership must be such as God has chosen and the congregation must readily accept them in total submission to divine will. Whenever the need arises for change of leadership at any level in the church, the transition should be smooth, efficient and free from rancour.

 

MOSES’ ENCOURAGEMENT TO ISRAEL AND THE NEW LEADERSHIP (Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Hebrews 13:5; Genesis 28:15; 31:3; Exodus 3:12; 29:45; 33:14; Numbers 13:20; 27:12-23; Joshua1:1-9; 1 Peter 2:9)

Led by God, Moses had his pre-parting session with Israel, a congregation he was privileged to lead over the course of forty years. In the development of his final address, he deemed it fit, in view of the challenges ahead, to encourage both Israel as a nation and Joshua, his successor. Moses assured them of God’s presence, which will eventually lead to their victory over powerful enemy nations in their effort to possess the Promised Land. There are vital lessons for believers from his words of encouragement.

First, God’s dealings with us in the past should encourage us to trust Him more. Second, believers should not forget God’s benefits (Psalm 103:2) as this would be considered an act of ingratitude.

Third, faith in His ability to provide for our physical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs moves Him to act on our behalf.

Fourth, discouragement, fear or weakness can rob a believer of God’s blessings (Deuteronomy 31:6). To enjoy a complete breakthrough, Moses admonished Israel with the following words: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). God’s presence in a believer’s life is of crucial significance. Moses appreciated the powerful influence of God’s presence and understood the agony and peril of operating without it when he declared: “…If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15).

One who has access to the presence of God enjoys divine rest (Exodus 33:14), courage in life’s battles (Deuteronomy 20:1), comfort in trials (Isaiah 43:2), joy unspeakable in times of tribulation (1 Peter 1:8), divine guidance in times of confusion (Psalm 32:8), protection and provision in the hour of danger and need (Acts 27:22-25), ministerial success (Jeremiah 1:17-19), speedy answers to prayers (John 16:23), and victory over powerful enemies (1 Samuel 2:10). There are many important lessons for leaders and members in the church from the life and ministry of Moses. One, His selfless lifestyle. He was sacrificial in service and did not manifest self-centred tendencies. Though he was under divine sentence not to enter Into the Promised Land, he wholeheartedly encouraged and supported those who would. Two, he was full of faith and taught those under him to rely on God solely for their sustenance, protection and victory. Three, his prayer life is worth emulating. He interceded severally for those he was leading. Four, his continuous obedience to God remains a challenge to heavenly-minded believers. Five, when he received a non-entry verdict into the Promised Land, he displayed absolute submission to the will of God and took it in good faith. Thus, in his valedictory message to the children of Israel, Moses stated the reasons for a change of leadership and their need to be courageous as they finally prepared to enter the land of Canaan. He gave two reasons he must step aside from leadership so that Joshua could take over: his old age and the divine sentence barring him from crossing over Jordan to Canaan. At the time Moses gave this address, he was exactly 120 years old. But despite his age, “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deuteronomy 34:7). As a practical proof of his physical fitness, he was still able to climb Mount Nebo, where he eventually died, without any human aid. Therefore, when Moses spoke of his age that: “I can no more go out and come in”, was not in reference to physical inability but a declaration that his ministry had come to an end and time for a new leader to take over. In Scripture, ‘to go out and come in among the people’ means to lead the people (Numbers 27:16,17; 1 Kings 3:7). After addressing the congregation, “Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it” (Deuteronomy 31:7). It is remarkable that the encouragement of Moses to Joshua was similar to that which he also gave to the congregation. As leaders need the word of God to enable them lead effectively, the congregation also require the same word to be good followers in order to accomplish their God-given goals. The word of God is sufficient for all and sundry and there is no need to look elsewhere for any human help or secret of success outside what God has said. It is clear that the entire congregation was willing to accept God’s choice of Joshua to lead them into Canaan. This could be understood from the fact that Caleb, who was a partner and colleague of Joshua in the expedition to spy Canaan was among the congregation at this time. He did not protest against the choice of Joshua or rally a faction to oppose his leadership, like some rebellious folks would do. Even after the death of Moses, the entire congregation still encouraged Joshua to lead them and pledged their full loyalty to him (Joshua 1:16-18). This humble and meek response to leadership change is worthy of emulation by all believers.

 

MOSAIC LAW DELIVERED TO THE PRIESTS AND PREDICTION OF ISRAEL’S APOSTASY

(Deuteronomy 31:9-30; Exodus 31:18; 32:16; Deuteronomy 10:4; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:4; 2 Peter 3:17)

Gradually, the Lord led Moses to the climax of his ministerial responsibilities. Now, he was directed to put finishing touches to the writing or completion of the book of the Law (The Pentateuch) and deliver same into the custody of the priests and elders. This divinely guided and inspired task and its accomplishment was no doubt, uppermost in the heart, mind and programme of God, who owns the Word and the world. It highlights the importance of writing or recording messages during church programmes for easy recall in future (Isaiah 30:8; (Habakkuk 2:2). Having completed the book of the law under divine inspiration, Moses was instructed to deliver same to the care and custody of the priests and the elders who would preserve it for posterity. The significance of God’s word to man cannot be over- stressed. The word of God speaks for itself: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). God’s word is important to humanity and serves as a bridge that connects or links us with our Creator. It saves, strengthens, upholds, transforms, heals, corrects, restores, revives, quickens, protects, preserves, provides, promotes, prospers, perfects, prolongs life, delivers, develops our faith and finally takes us to heaven. In view of the important role the word of God plays in our lives, ministries and destiny, we are expected to cherish it, own it, read and study it, meditate on it, pray over it, personalise and apply it, honour it, promote it and spread it everywhere. One of the instructions God gave Moses concerning the law was that it should be read publicly to all Israelites once in seven years. This teaches present-day believers that apart from regular individual and family devotional activities, consistent voluntary and wholehearted fellowship with fellow brethren is scripturally prescribed, ordered and expected (Hebrews 10:25). In view of this divine expectation, we should ensure that we are regular and punctual to church programmes and activities.

 

MOSES’ TESTIMONY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND SONG OF DELIVERANCE (Deuteronomy

32:1-52; Psalms 95:1-11; 89:1,2; 90:1-17)

God gave Moses a song to sing to be a witness for Him against the children of Israel whenever their rebellion sprang up. The song was meant to warn them apostasy. It was first delivered orally and thereafter, in of the fatal, inevitable consequences of going into writing to the elders and officers as the representatives of the people. These officers were expected to transmit the song to the various families and households they represented for their learning and compliance. Songs that inspire our hearts to worship and glorify the almighty God are wholesome in our assemblies. Believers should avoid carnal and worldly songs or music that only appeal to the flesh. The writing and delivery of the song of Moses is very relevant to believers of all ages in their relationship with God. As God desired an unbroken fellowship with the children of Israel, so are believers expected to remain attached to the Vine. As God had zero tolerance for non- conformity to His law in the time of the writing of the song, so is He now. He still frowns at the slightest tendency of turning away from His word. As God’s blessings and continuous presence were conditional then, so are they now. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 28:1,2). As God foretold Israel’s future apostasy then, so is the word of God clear on the possibility of many falling away from the faith in the last days. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12, 13). Finally, just as God promised to judge their backsliding severely, so is He ready to adequately punish those who turn their backs on Him (Psalm 9:17)

 

Questions for review:

  1. What challenge can believers receive from Moses’ concern for Israel’s welfare even at the approach of death?
  2. What can believers learn from Moses’ words of encouragement?
  3. Mention important lessons from the life and ministry of Moses.
  4. What is the role of the congregation in ensuring a smooth transition in leadership?
  5. Briefly explain the benefit of the word of God to humanity.
  6. What is humanity’s duty or responsibility to the word of God in view of its indescribable significance?
  7. Briefly explain the relevance of the writing and delivery of the song of Moses to believers.

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