Deu 3:24 | KingComments | STEP | Moses recalls how he begged the LORD if he could still enter the land. He does not speak here about his failure and the punishment of God, but about his desire to enter the land. After encouraging Joshua with a view to conquering the land, in Moses that deep desire to enter the land with the people will have risen. He did not speak his question in rebellion. He has not asked to enter the land to be a leader, to assert himself. His question did not arise from envy of Joshua. To him it is about the land itself. He spoke with great admiration about the inheritance that the LORD has prepared for His people and called it “the fair land” and “that good hill country”. He fully appreciates the land of God. Just like Moses, the Lord Jesus looked forward to that land. It was to Him “the joy set before Him” ( ). Do we give Him the occasion to introduce us into that land as the true Joshua? Moses appealed to God to finish what He had begun. Moses had already been allowed to see so much of Him, especially in the conquest of the kingdoms of Sihon and Og; now he would also like to see the completion of His endeavor here. God had said that he was not allowed to cross over. Nevertheless, he asked if he could cross over. Had not the LORD turned-about earlier on a matter through a prayer of Moses? Cast your mind back to God’s intention to exterminate the people after the sin with the golden calf, and after the refusal to enter the land. On the basis of Moses’ intercession, He had forgiven them then ( ).

‏ Deuteronomy 3:24

Moses’ Prayer for Grace

Moses recalls how he begged the LORD if he could still enter the land. He does not speak here about his failure and the punishment of God, but about his desire to enter the land. After encouraging Joshua with a view to conquering the land, in Moses that deep desire to enter the land with the people will have risen.

He did not speak his question in rebellion. He has not asked to enter the land to be a leader, to assert himself. His question did not arise from envy of Joshua. To him it is about the land itself. He spoke with great admiration about the inheritance that the LORD has prepared for His people and called it “the fair land” and “that good hill country”. He fully appreciates the land of God. Just like Moses, the Lord Jesus looked forward to that land. It was to Him “the joy set before Him” (Heb 12:2). Do we give Him the occasion to introduce us into that land as the true Joshua?

Moses appealed to God to finish what He had begun. Moses had already been allowed to see so much of Him, especially in the conquest of the kingdoms of Sihon and Og; now he would also like to see the completion of His endeavor here. God had said that he was not allowed to cross over. Nevertheless, he asked if he could cross over. Had not the LORD turned-about earlier on a matter through a prayer of Moses? Cast your mind back to God’s intention to exterminate the people after the sin with the golden calf, and after the refusal to enter the land. On the basis of Moses’ intercession, He had forgiven them then (Num 14:20).