提要
摩西為以色列各支派祝福後，就照著上帝的命令，以一百二十高齡，獨自登上尼波山，即使事關他的生死他也沒有抗拒上帝的旨意。摩西已忠心的完成上帝呼召他做的工，現在他要預備見主。
上帝不容許摩西進迦南，作為對他罪的審判（民20：12；27：14）。不過上帝讓他得從遠處觀看應許之地。摩西不只精力猶存，他的視力也仍清楚（3節）。在晴朗的天氣，憑肉眼可以從尼波山頂上看到白雪皚皚的黑門山峰以及耶路撒冷周圍的山丘，甚至能看到死海的南端，不過西邊及地中海就不在視野範圍內。上帝一定行了神蹟使摩西能看到應許之地的全貌。摩西得見這塊上帝應許賜給以色列的產業也一定興奮、喜樂極了！他雖渴望親臨應許之地，但現在能與上帝如此親近，並且馬上就要進入一個更好、更榮耀的境地，也一定使摩西心中充滿極大的平安。
「於是耶和華的僕人摩西死在摩押地，正如耶和華所說的。」（5節）還有誰的死能比摩西之死更詳和、更快樂﹖上帝不只在摩西生前尊榮他，在他死後也抬舉他，因為上帝親自埋葬摩西（6節）。以色列民從來不知道摩西的墳墓何在，但這也是為他們好。人們常傾向於高抬偉大的領袖，特別是在他們死後將其奉如神明。以色列民如果把摩西視為偶像，一定會使摩西憎惡，因為終其一生，他都強烈的在反對偶像崇拜。
摩西的工作由約書亞接替。上帝已賜給約書亞智慧的靈裝備他，使他能領導這樣一群百姓。摩西也公開的按手在他身上，明示權柄和責任的轉移。百姓尊敬摩西和他的選擇，因此他們也聽從約書亞（9節）。
儘管約書亞相當能幹，他畢竟不像摩西。摩西真是以色列最偉大的先知（民12：6~8），也是歷史上最偉大的人物之一，然而，他也曾經是個膽怯的牧羊人，對主說：「我是什麼人，竟能去……將以色列人從埃及領出來呢﹖」（出3：11）。藉著上帝的大能，摩西改變了，他愈來愈勇敢，也愈來愈有信心。透過他，上帝行使出許多大神蹟，當然，包括出埃及的神蹟。
摩西與上帝有一種人所不知的親密關係，因為「耶和華與摩西面對面說話，好像人與朋友說話一般」（出33：11）。他向以色列頒佈上帝的律法和約，又說遙指耶穌的預言。他真是上帝的代言人。即使在他死後，上帝仍然派他在上帝的國度裡工作。摩西有幸在應許之地的變像山上站在耶穌身旁（太17：1~4），有一天，他還要再度得榮，就是當眾聖徒齊唱「上帝僕人摩西的歌」時（啟15：3）。
直到耶穌基督降生以前，沒有人超越摩西（參來3：1~6）。希伯來書的作者解釋說，摩西為僕人，在上帝的家盡忠，但「基督為兒子，治理上帝的家」（來3：5~6）。耶穌成全了摩西所頒佈的律法；祂也帶來更美的、充滿恩典和真理的新約（來8：6；約1：17）。
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Overview
After blessing the tribes, Moses, at the age of 120, climbed Mount Nebo alone, as God had commanded him. He did not resist which he had been called was faithfully completed and now he was prepared to meet the Lord.
God did not permit Moses to enter Canaan as a judgment for his sin (Num.20:12; 27:14). God did, however, allow him to view it from afar. Moses not only had vigor, but his eyes were still strong (v.7). From the top of Mount Nebo the naked eye can see quite a distance on a clear day, from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Hermon to the hills around Jerusalem, and even to the southern part of the Dead Sea. However, the Western or Mediterranean Sea cannot be seen; for this God must have miraculously given Moses an extra vies. What a thrill and a joy it must have been for Moses to see the land God had promised as an inheritance for Israel. He had longed to enter that Promised Land, yet now he must have had a tremendous peace, being so close to God and about to enter a better, more glorious land.
“So Moses the servant of the Lord died… according to the word of the Lord” (v.5). Could there ever be a more peaceful and happy death? God not only honored Moses while he was alive, but in his death also, for God Himself buried Moses (v.6). The people never knew the site of his grave, but this was for the best. People tend to elevate great leaders, especially after their dearth; in some cases it gets carried to the point of idolatry. Moses would have been abhorred if they had done this to him, for in all his life of service to God, he had fervently fought against this very thing.
The task was now taken up by Joshua. God had also equipped him to lead the people by giving him the gift of wisdom. This was essential for leading such a people. Moses had publicly laid his hands on Joshua to show the transfer of authority and responsibility. Since the people respected Moses and his choice for a successor, they heeded Joshua (v.9).
Though he was quite capable, Joshua was not like Moses. Moses was truly the greatest of Israel’s prophets (Num.12:6-8) and one of the greatest men in history, yet at one time he was a timid shepherd that confessed: “Who am I that I should go… and… bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex.3:11). By the power of God, Moses was changed and became bold as he exercised his faith. Through Him, God brought about many great signs and wonders, as well as the miracle of the exodus.
Moses had an intimate relationship with God that was unknown to others, for “the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex.33:11). He gave Israel the wonderful gift of God’s Law and covenant and gave words of prophecy, which pointed to Jesus. He was truly God’s agent and spokesman. Even after his death, God still had work for Moses to do in His kingdom. He was privileged to stand beside Jesus in the promised Land on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt.17:1-4), and one day he will again be honored when the saints sing “the song of Moses, the servant of God” (Rev.15:3)
Until the coming of Jesus Christ, no one was superior to Moses (see Heb.3:1-6). The writer to the Hebrews explains that Moses was faithful as a “servant”… “But Christ as a Son over His own house” (Heb.3:5-6). Jesus fulfilled the law that Moses gave; He also brought with Him a new and better covenant, one full of grace and truth (Heb.6:8; John 1:17).
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Prayer
Holy God, we thank You for the privileged access we have, through Jesus, into Your presence. Oh that we might draw so close to You that we, like Moses, could talk with You “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” |
