11

Advancing to CanaanAdvancing to CanaanAdvancing to CanaanAdvancing to Canaan

Lesson 28Lesson 28

Cities of RefugeCities of Refuge

The Death of MosesThe Death of Moses

Joshua, the Son of NunJoshua, the Son of Nun

Lesson 28Lesson 28

Cities of RefugeCities of Refuge

The Death of MosesThe Death of Moses

Joshua, the Son of NunJoshua, the Son of Nun

22

Have not I commanded Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a thee? Be strong and of a

good courage; be not good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou afraid, neither be thou

dismayed: for the LORD dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest.whithersoever thou goest.(Joshua 1:9)(Joshua 1:9)

33

44

On the mountaintop, On the mountaintop, he . . . he . . .

On the mountaintop, On the mountaintop, he . . . he . . .

gazed on the scene before him--the gazed on the scene before him--the

Mediterranean Sea to the west, Mt. Hermon to Mediterranean Sea to the west, Mt. Hermon to

the north, the tableland of Moab to the east, and the north, the tableland of Moab to the east, and

the desert of their long wanderings to the souththe desert of their long wanderings to the south

he reviewed his life of hardship since he left he reviewed his life of hardship since he left

Egypt as a prince, his life as a shepherd , the Egypt as a prince, his life as a shepherd , the

burning bush, the mighty miracles of God for the burning bush, the mighty miracles of God for the

Israelites, and his sin that marred his recordIsraelites, and his sin that marred his record

55

He also was given a view of the He also was given a view of the

Land of Promise--every part of the Land of Promise--every part of the

country was spread out before him, country was spread out before him,

clear, distinct and beautiful to his clear, distinct and beautiful to his

vision. “ In this scene it was vision. “ In this scene it was

presented, not as it then appeared, presented, not as it then appeared,

but as it would become, with God’s but as it would become, with God’s

blessing upon it, in the possession blessing upon it, in the possession

of Israel. He seemed to be looking of Israel. He seemed to be looking

upon a second Eden” (PP 472).upon a second Eden” (PP 472).

66

There were mountains clothed with cedars There were mountains clothed with cedars

of Lebanon, hills gray with olives and of Lebanon, hills gray with olives and

fragrant with the odor of the vine, wide fragrant with the odor of the vine, wide

green plains bright with flowers and rich in green plains bright with flowers and rich in

fruitfulness, here the palm trees of the fruitfulness, here the palm trees of the

tropics, there waving fields of wheat and tropics, there waving fields of wheat and

barley, sunny valleys musical with the barley, sunny valleys musical with the

ripple of brooks and the song of birds, ripple of brooks and the song of birds,

goodly cities and fair gardens, lakes rich in goodly cities and fair gardens, lakes rich in

"the abundance of the seas," grazing flocks "the abundance of the seas," grazing flocks

upon the hillsides, and even amid the rocks upon the hillsides, and even amid the rocks

the wild bee’s hoarded treasures.the wild bee’s hoarded treasures.

77

Moses saw the chosen people established in Moses saw the chosen people established in

Canaan, each of the tribes in its own Canaan, each of the tribes in its own

possession. He had a view of their history possession. He had a view of their history

after the settlement of the Promised Land; after the settlement of the Promised Land;

the long, sad story of their apostasy and its the long, sad story of their apostasy and its

punishment was spread out before him. He punishment was spread out before him. He

saw them, because of their sins, dispersed saw them, because of their sins, dispersed

among the heathen, the glory departed from among the heathen, the glory departed from

Israel, her beautiful city in ruins, and her Israel, her beautiful city in ruins, and her

people captives in strange lands. He saw people captives in strange lands. He saw

them restored to the land of their fathers, them restored to the land of their fathers,

and at last brought under the dominion of and at last brought under the dominion of

Rome. {PP 475.1} Rome. {PP 475.1}

88

He was permitted to look down the He was permitted to look down the

stream of time and behold the first advent stream of time and behold the first advent

of our Saviour. He saw Jesus as a babe in of our Saviour. He saw Jesus as a babe in

Bethlehem. He heard the voices of the Bethlehem. He heard the voices of the

angelic host break forth in the glad song angelic host break forth in the glad song

of praise to God and peace on earth. He of praise to God and peace on earth. He

beheld in the heavens the star guiding the beheld in the heavens the star guiding the

Wise Men of the East to Jesus, and a great Wise Men of the East to Jesus, and a great

light flooded his mind as he called those light flooded his mind as he called those

prophetic words, “There shall come a Star prophetic words, “There shall come a Star

out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out

of Israel.” Numbers 24:17. of Israel.” Numbers 24:17.

99

He beheld Christ’s humble life in He beheld Christ’s humble life in

Nazareth, His ministry of love and Nazareth, His ministry of love and

sympathy and healing, His rejection sympathy and healing, His rejection

by a proud, unbelieving nation. by a proud, unbelieving nation.

Amazed he listened to their boastful Amazed he listened to their boastful

exaltation of the law of God, while exaltation of the law of God, while

they despised and rejected Him by they despised and rejected Him by

whom the law was given. He saw whom the law was given. He saw

Jesus upon Olivet as with weeping He Jesus upon Olivet as with weeping He

bade farewell to the city of His love.bade farewell to the city of His love.

1010

As Moses beheld the final rejection of that As Moses beheld the final rejection of that

people so highly blessed of Heaven--that people so highly blessed of Heaven--that

people for whom he had toiled and prayed people for whom he had toiled and prayed

and sacrificed, for whom he had been and sacrificed, for whom he had been

willing that his own name should be willing that his own name should be

blotted from the book of life; as he blotted from the book of life; as he

listened to those fearful words, “Behold listened to those fearful words, “Behold

your house is left unto you desolate” your house is left unto you desolate”

(Matthew 23:38), his heart was wrung (Matthew 23:38), his heart was wrung

with anguish, and bitter tears fell from his with anguish, and bitter tears fell from his

eyes, in sympathy with the sorrow of the eyes, in sympathy with the sorrow of the

Son of God. (PP 475.2) Son of God. (PP 475.2)

1111

1212

He saw the land spread out before him.He saw the land spread out before him.

He saw the land blessed by God--like a He saw the land blessed by God--like a

garden of Eden.garden of Eden.

He saw the rebellion and apostasy of He saw the rebellion and apostasy of

Israel.Israel.

He saw the baby Jesus and his life.He saw the baby Jesus and his life.

He saw the death of Christ.He saw the death of Christ.

He saw the apostles and the spread of He saw the apostles and the spread of

Christianity.Christianity.

1313

He saw him opening the gates of He saw him opening the gates of

heaven to welcome Jesus after his heaven to welcome Jesus after his

resurrection.resurrection.

He saw the last great struggle to He saw the last great struggle to

destroy those who keep God’s law.destroy those who keep God’s law.

He saw the second coming, the He saw the second coming, the

righteous dead raised, the living righteous dead raised, the living

saints translated.saints translated.

He saw the earth made new.He saw the earth made new.

1414

Then, like a tired Then, like a tired warrior, he lay warrior, he lay down to rest.down to rest.

Then, like a tired Then, like a tired warrior, he lay warrior, he lay down to rest.down to rest.

1515

Moses was shut Moses was shut out of Canaan to out of Canaan to teach a lesson teach a lesson

that should never that should never be forgotten.be forgotten.

Moses was shut Moses was shut out of Canaan to out of Canaan to teach a lesson teach a lesson

that should never that should never be forgotten.be forgotten.

1616

God requires exact God requires exact obedience, and men obedience, and men are to be aware of are to be aware of

taking to themselves taking to themselves the glory which is due the glory which is due

to to their Maker.their Maker.

God requires exact God requires exact obedience, and men obedience, and men are to be aware of are to be aware of

taking to themselves taking to themselves the glory which is due the glory which is due

to to their Maker.their Maker.

1717

By Nebo’s Lonely By Nebo’s Lonely MountainMountain

Sing to to tune of “From Greenland’s Icy Sing to to tune of “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” #445Mountains,” #445

By Nebo’s Lonely By Nebo’s Lonely MountainMountain

Sing to to tune of “From Greenland’s Icy Sing to to tune of “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” #445Mountains,” #445

1818

By Nebo’s lonely mountain,By Nebo’s lonely mountain,

    On this side Jordan’s wave,On this side Jordan’s wave,

In a vale of the land of MoabIn a vale of the land of Moab

    There lies a lonely grave;There lies a lonely grave;

And no man knows that sepulchre,And no man knows that sepulchre,                

    And no man saw it e’er,And no man saw it e’er,

For the angels of God upturned the For the angels of God upturned the sod,sod,

    And laid the dead man there.And laid the dead man there.

1919

That was the grandest funeralThat was the grandest funeral

    That ever pass’d on earth;That ever pass’d on earth;                

But no man heard the trampling,But no man heard the trampling,

    Or saw the train go forth—Or saw the train go forth—

Noiselessly as the daylightNoiselessly as the daylight

    Comes back when night is done,Comes back when night is done,

And the crimson streak on ocean’s cheekAnd the crimson streak on ocean’s cheek                

    Grows into the great sun;Grows into the great sun;

2020

Noiselessly as the spring-timeNoiselessly as the spring-time

    Her crown of verdure weaves,Her crown of verdure weaves,

And all the trees on all the hillsAnd all the trees on all the hills

    Open their thousand leaves;Open their thousand leaves;                

So without sound of music,So without sound of music,

    Or voice of them that wept,Or voice of them that wept,

Silently down from the mountain’s Silently down from the mountain’s crowncrown

    The great procession swept.The great procession swept.

2121

Perchance the bald old eaglePerchance the bald old eagle                

    On grey Beth-Peor’s height,On grey Beth-Peor’s height,

Out of his lonely eyrieOut of his lonely eyrie

    Looked on the wondrous sight;Looked on the wondrous sight;

Perchance the lion stalkingPerchance the lion stalking

    Still shuns that hallowed spot,Still shuns that hallowed spot,                

For beast and bird have seen and heardFor beast and bird have seen and heard

    That which man knoweth not.That which man knoweth not.

2222

But when the warrior dieth,But when the warrior dieth,

    His comrades in the war,His comrades in the war,

With arms reversed and muffled drum,With arms reversed and muffled drum,                

    Follow his funeral car;Follow his funeral car;

They show the banners taken;They show the banners taken;

    They tell his battles won,They tell his battles won,

And after him lead his masterless steed,And after him lead his masterless steed,

    While peals the minute-gun.While peals the minute-gun.

2323

Amid the noblest of the landAmid the noblest of the land

    Men lay the sage to rest,Men lay the sage to rest,

And give the bard an honour’d And give the bard an honour’d placeplace

    With costly marble dress’d,With costly marble dress’d,

In the great minster transept,In the great minster transept,                

    Where lights like glories fall,Where lights like glories fall,

And the organ rings, and the sweet And the organ rings, and the sweet choir singschoir sings

    Along the emblazon’d wall.Along the emblazon’d wall.

2424

This was the truest warriorThis was the truest warrior

    That ever buckled sword;That ever buckled sword;                

This, the most gifted poetThis, the most gifted poet

    That ever breath’d a word.That ever breath’d a word.

And never earth’s philosopher,And never earth’s philosopher,

    Traced with his golden penTraced with his golden pen

On the deathless page truths half so sageOn the deathless page truths half so sage                

    As he wrote down for men.As he wrote down for men.

2525

And had he not high honour,—And had he not high honour,—

    The hill-side for a pall,The hill-side for a pall,

To lie in state, while angels waitTo lie in state, while angels wait

    With stars for tapers tall;With stars for tapers tall;                

And the dark rock pines, like tossing plumes,And the dark rock pines, like tossing plumes,

    Over his bier to wave,Over his bier to wave,

And God’s own hand, in that lonely land,And God’s own hand, in that lonely land,

    To lay him in the grave?To lay him in the grave?

2626

In that strange grave without a name,In that strange grave without a name,                

    Whence his uncoffin’d clayWhence his uncoffin’d clay

Shall break again—O wondrous thought!—Shall break again—O wondrous thought!—

    Before the Judgment Day;Before the Judgment Day;

And stand, with glory wrapped around,And stand, with glory wrapped around,

    On the hills he never trod;On the hills he never trod;                

And speak of the strife, that won our life,And speak of the strife, that won our life,

    With the Incarnate Son of God.With the Incarnate Son of God.

2727

O lonely grave in Moab’s land!O lonely grave in Moab’s land!

    O dark Beth-Peor’s hill!O dark Beth-Peor’s hill!

Speak to these curious hearts of ours,Speak to these curious hearts of ours,                

    And teach them to be still.And teach them to be still.

God hath His mysteries of grace,God hath His mysteries of grace,

    Ways that we cannot tell;Ways that we cannot tell;

He hides them deep, like the hidden sleepHe hides them deep, like the hidden sleep

    Of him He loved so well.Of him He loved so well.

Cecil Frances AlexanderCecil Frances Alexander

2828A

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2929

Before the Israelites went Before the Israelites went over into the land of Canaan:over into the land of Canaan:

Before the Israelites went Before the Israelites went over into the land of Canaan:over into the land of Canaan:

Miriam died at Kadesh--Numbers Miriam died at Kadesh--Numbers

20:120:1

Aaron died on Mount Hor--Aaron died on Mount Hor--

Numbers 20:22-29Numbers 20:22-29

Moses died on Mount Nebo--Moses died on Mount Nebo--

Deuteronomy 34Deuteronomy 34

3030

Yet Michael the archangel, Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the when contending with the

devil he disputed about the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not body of Moses, durst not

bring against him a railing bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)

3131

As Christ and the angels As Christ and the angels approached the grave, Satan approached the grave, Satan

and his angels appeared at the and his angels appeared at the grave, and were guarding the grave, and were guarding the body of Moses, lest it should body of Moses, lest it should

be removed. As Christ and his be removed. As Christ and his angels drew nigh, Satan angels drew nigh, Satan

resisted their approach, but resisted their approach, but was compelled, by the glory was compelled, by the glory and power of Christ and his and power of Christ and his

angels, to fall back.angels, to fall back.

3232

Satan claimed the body of Moses, Satan claimed the body of Moses, because of his one transgression; because of his one transgression; but Christ meekly referred him to but Christ meekly referred him to

his Father, saying, “The Lord his Father, saying, “The Lord rebuke thee.” Christ told Satan rebuke thee.” Christ told Satan

that he knew Moses had humbly that he knew Moses had humbly repented of this one wrong, that repented of this one wrong, that

no stain rested upon his no stain rested upon his character, and that his name in character, and that his name in the heavenly book of records the heavenly book of records

stood untarnished. Then Christ stood untarnished. Then Christ resurrected the body of Moses, resurrected the body of Moses, which Satan had claimed. (1SP which Satan had claimed. (1SP

342; published 1870)342; published 1870)

3333

Moses passed through death, but Moses passed through death, but Michael came down and gave him Michael came down and gave him

life before his body had seen life before his body had seen corruptioncorruption. Satan tried to hold the . Satan tried to hold the

body, claiming it as his; but Michael body, claiming it as his; but Michael resurrected Moses and took him to resurrected Moses and took him to

heaven. Satan railed bitterly against heaven. Satan railed bitterly against God, denouncing Him as unjust in God, denouncing Him as unjust in

permitting his prey to be taken from permitting his prey to be taken from him; but Christ did not rebuke His him; but Christ did not rebuke His

adversary, though it was through his adversary, though it was through his temptation that the servant of God temptation that the servant of God

had fallen. He meekly referred him to had fallen. He meekly referred him to His Father, saying, “The Lord rebuke His Father, saying, “The Lord rebuke

thee.” (EW 164; published 1882) thee.” (EW 164; published 1882)

3434

Satan exulted that he had Satan exulted that he had succeeded in causing Moses succeeded in causing Moses to sin against God. For this to sin against God. For this transgression, Moses came transgression, Moses came

under the dominion of death. under the dominion of death. If he had continued faithful, If he had continued faithful,

and his life had not been and his life had not been marred with that one marred with that one

transgression, in failing to transgression, in failing to give to God the glory of give to God the glory of

bringing water from the rock, bringing water from the rock, he would have entered the he would have entered the

promised land, . . .promised land, . . .

3535

and and would have been would have been translated to Heaven without translated to Heaven without

seeing deathseeing death. Michael, or . Michael, or Christ, with the angels that Christ, with the angels that buried Moses, came down buried Moses, came down from Heaven, after he had from Heaven, after he had remained in the grave a remained in the grave a

short time, and resurrected short time, and resurrected him, and took him to him, and took him to Heaven. (4aSG, p. 57; Heaven. (4aSG, p. 57;

published 1864)published 1864)

3636

Notwithstanding the fact that Moses Notwithstanding the fact that Moses was the meekest man that lived upon was the meekest man that lived upon

the earth, on one occasion he drew the the earth, on one occasion he drew the displeasure of God upon himself. . . . The displeasure of God upon himself. . . . The

undeserved reproaches of the people undeserved reproaches of the people which fell upon him led him for a which fell upon him led him for a

moment to forget that their murmuring moment to forget that their murmuring was not against him, but against God; was not against him, but against God;

and instead of being grieved because the and instead of being grieved because the Spirit of God was insulted, he became Spirit of God was insulted, he became irritated, offended, and in a self-willed, irritated, offended, and in a self-willed, impatient manner struck the rock twice impatient manner struck the rock twice saying: “Hear now, ye rebels, must we saying: “Hear now, ye rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock?” . . . fetch you water out of this rock?” . . .

(CC 109) (CC 109)

3737

Moses revealed great weakness Moses revealed great weakness before the people. He showed a before the people. He showed a

marked lack of self-control, a spirit marked lack of self-control, a spirit similar to that possessed by the similar to that possessed by the

murmurers. He should have been murmurers. He should have been an example of forbearance and an example of forbearance and patience before that multitude, patience before that multitude, who were ready to excuse their who were ready to excuse their

failures, disaffections, and failures, disaffections, and unreasonable murmurings, on unreasonable murmurings, on

account of this exhibition of wrong account of this exhibition of wrong on his part. The greatest sin on his part. The greatest sin

consisted in assuming to take the consisted in assuming to take the place of God. (Ibid.)place of God. (Ibid.)

3838

Patience and gentleness under Patience and gentleness under wrong were not characteristics prized wrong were not characteristics prized

by the heathen or by the Jews. The by the heathen or by the Jews. The statement made by Moses under the statement made by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he

was the meekest man upon the earth, was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the would not have been regarded by the

people of his time as a commendation; people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity or it would rather have excited pity or

contempt. But Jesus places meekness contempt. But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His among the first qualifications for His

kingdom. In His own life and character kingdom. In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious the divine beauty of this precious

grace is revealed. (MB 14) grace is revealed. (MB 14)

3939

Moses was a type of Christ. He Moses was a type of Christ. He received the words from the mouth received the words from the mouth

of God, and spoke them to the of God, and spoke them to the people. God saw fit to discipline people. God saw fit to discipline Moses in the school of affliction Moses in the school of affliction and poverty, before he could be and poverty, before he could be prepared to lead the armies of prepared to lead the armies of

Israel in their travels from Egypt to Israel in their travels from Egypt to the earthly Canaan. The Israel of the earthly Canaan. The Israel of

God who are now passing on to the God who are now passing on to the heavenly Canaan have a Captain heavenly Canaan have a Captain who needed no earthly teaching, who needed no earthly teaching,

as did Moses, . . .as did Moses, . . .

4040

to perfect him for the work of to perfect him for the work of a divine teacher and leader to a divine teacher and leader to guide his people into a better guide his people into a better

and heavenly country. He and heavenly country. He manifested no human manifested no human

weakness or imperfection; yet weakness or imperfection; yet he died in order to obtain an he died in order to obtain an

entrance for us into the entrance for us into the promised land. (1SP 343)promised land. (1SP 343)