Numbers 27:12, 13 And the LORD said to Moses, Get you up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.… Death a penalty even in the adopted family of God, though turned into a blessing to the believer. Some of the alleviations of the penalty suggested by this command to Moses. Through faith in Christ we may enjoy - I. A CLEAR VIEW OF THE GLORIOUS FUTURE OF THE CHURCH. As Moses saw the land, not yet possessed, but already "given," so may faith anticipate the goodly heritage of the future. Illustrate Joseph's death-bed (Genesis 1:24); David's anticipations of an age of glory under Solomon; the bright glimpses of the future with which nearly every one of the minor prophets concludes. II. A RELEASE FROM THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THAT FUTURE. Moses was spared from the wars of the Lord in the conquest of Canaan. And Christians, though willing, like the aged Dr. Lyman Beecher, to "enlist again in a minute," "to begin life over again, and work once more" ('Autobiography,' 2:552), are spared from the conflicts of the "perilous times" of the future. III. AN ASSURANCE THAT THE WORK OF GOD WILL BE EFFICIENTLY CARRIED ON WITHOUT us. Not even a Moses is essential to the Church of God; Joshua will do the work as well. IV. AN ADMITTANCE TO THE COMPANY OF THE PIOUS DEAD. "Thy people," who died in faith, and now live with God. With brighter hopes than any heathens, or even than Moses, we may say, "I go to the majority." V. A PEACEFUL DEPARTURE SUCH AS OTHER LOVED ONES HAVE EXPERIENCED. "As Aaron thy brother was gathered." We have seen "the end of their course" (Hebrews 13:7), and may expect grace for dying hours such as they enjoyed. - P. Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. |
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