Deuteronomy 3:23-29

The Voice

The conquered Ammonite land on the eastern side is given to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. But this allocation does not occur until these tribes help their brothers conquer the land on the western side of the Jordan.

Moses: ²³Then I pleaded again and again with the Eternal on my own behalf. ²⁴“Eternal Lord, You’ve only just begun to show me, Your servant, how very great and powerful You are. What other god in heaven or on earth can do the great and powerful things You do? ²⁵Please let me cross the Jordan and see that good land and those beautiful highlands and Lebanon.” ²⁶But the Eternal was angry with me because of you, and He wouldn’t listen to me.

The Lord answers so many of Moses’ other prayers, so why can’t forgiveness and pardon be extended to Moses now? Why is this man of God banned from entering the promised land? At a time when the people need water in the desert (Numbers 20:2–13), even though in their lack of faith they complain bitterly, the Lord mercifully decides to provide water for them. He chooses to give them a miracle through Moses, who is supposed to command a rock (only verbally) to bring forth water. But Moses is enraged with the people. First he castigates them for being “rebels” and then strikes the rock twice with his staff. This act of disobedience will keep Moses from entering the promised land, and in this case, no appeal is possible.

Moses: The Eternal said to me, “That’s enough! Don’t ever bring this up to Me again! ²⁷You can go up to the top of Mount Pisgah and look to the west and north and south and east to see the land from there. Take a good look, because you’re not going to cross the Jordan River. ²⁸So instruct Joshua, and strengthen and encourage him, because he’s the one who will lead the people into the land you see and make it their territory. He will conquer it for them.” ²⁹And that’s why we’ve stayed here in this valley by Beth-peor at the foot of Mount Pisgah.