Old Testament - Deuteronomy 34 - May 21, 2022

 5/21/2022 – Deuteronomy 34

The Israelites are now at the boarders of Canaan. V 7 tells us that Moses is now 120 years old and “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated”, and then we learn that Moses climbs to the top of the mountain Nebo where the Lord showed him all of the land that He had sworn to give unto Isaac and Jacob and their seed. (v 2) He told Moses: “I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.” (v 3)

V 6 says that Moses was buried “by the hand of the Lord” in the land of Moab. But the Book of Mormon account in Alma (remember that Nephi had gotten the Brass Plates that were with Laban as it had the Old Testament scriptures in it, and evidently some verses were different from the Bible translation we use today.  Here Alma’s writing is from the Plates of Brass: “The scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself.” (Alma 45:18-19)

This record of the Israelites journey from Egypt and its idol worship was a time of schooling for them. The Lord worked to teach them that obedience to his commandments always has its own rewards. So at this time, when Moses knew he was about to leave the Israelites, he reminded them yet again of the spiritual obligations that the Lord had giving them.  And just like the Lord, Moses reinforced that they could choose to ignore the Lord’s commandments, or to follow the Lord’s commandments. They were the ones who would determine whether they would receive a cursing or a blessing> Moses knew that they must choose. Life for us today is no different. We cannot stand uncommitted before the Lord. We all will eventually be judged by the Father according to our deeds and our thoughts. It’s my desire to live in a manner that would cause me to go forward, and hopefully, upward.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pearl of Great Price - Moses 6:24-52 - January 19, 2022

 1/19/2022 – Moses 6:24-52 The Old Testament tells us just a little about Enoch, but the Book of Moses greatly increases our understanding of his life, his ministry and his teachings. Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam. In those seven generations, many had left the teachings of the Lord. It was when Enoch “journeyed in the land among the people” (v 26) that “He heard a voice from heaven, saying, Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off.” (v 27). I read this and I feel the warning to us that we are not to rely only on our ‘earthly vision’. The Lords rewards are not always immediate. But if we keep the commandments, keeping our eyes focused on the ultimate reward that the Lord holds in store for us, THEN we will be able to “see afar off”.  In v...
Read more

Pearl of Great Price - Moses 7:16-47 - January 29, 2022

  1/29/2022 - Moses 7:16-47 I didn’t realize I was repeating Moses 6 until I was finished with it the 2nd time. But what was beautiful to me is that studying the same scriptures a second time simply brought more thoughts and understanding and desires to be sure to return to my Father in Heaven….to finish my earthly life with the same goals that I started it. I LOVE studying the scriptures! There were now so many people on earth who had chosen not to follow the ways of the Lord. V 16: And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.”  V 18: “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” V 19: “And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.”  Zion was est...
Read more

Pearl of Great Price - Moses 6:40-56 - January 27, 2022

 1/27/2022 – Moses 6:40-59 [I’m still in Moses 6—haven’t figure out I’m reading this again) Enoch has seen and spoken with the Lord, and he follows the Lord’s instructions no matter what they entail.  President Monson once said: “It’s not enough to wish, it’s not enough to dream, it’s not enough to promise. We must do.”  And that’s just what Enoch did! He is going into areas where there is much evil. When the people there ask about him, he tells simply and honestly: “I came out of the land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a land of righteousness unto this day. And my father taught me all the ways of God.” (v 41) Enoch answers their questions, he teaches them many things about God, but he keeps the profound spiritual things the Lord has revealed unto him to himself. The people he is teaching, are not ready to receive a higher law or standard. In v 46 Enoch tells them that his people keep a “book of remembrance” that they have written, according to the pattern given by th...
Read more