Browse Bible Study Resources

Sunday Worship 4 July 2021 : The Conclusion of Life and Ministry

Text: Numbers 27:12-14
4 July 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. The Call to Ministry

a) Moses was called to Ministry late in life
b) He was a shepherd and 80 years of age when God called him   (Exodus 1-3)
c) There were many struggles in Moses’ heart and mind as he pondered what it means to answer the Lord’s Call to ministry

2. The Commencement of Ministry in Egypt

a) It began tentatively
b) It grew in strength
c) It grew further in depth

3. The Continuation of Ministry in the Wilderness

a) Many problems arose
b) Much intercessory praying was done
c) Multiple significant lessons of faith and life were learned

4. The Conclusion of life and ministry

a) God intimated to Moses that he would conclude his life and ministry
b) Aaron and Miriam had already passed away
c) The challenge was to prepare for the next generation to take over

REVELATION FROM THE LORD

1. Revelation from God was deeply prized

a) Call to Ministry
b) Counsel from God in ministry
c) Communion with God at Mt. Sinai

2. Revelation from God concerning the end of life and ministry

a) At Mount Abarim (a mountain range in Jordan)
b) Mount Nebo was the highest peak in this mountain range
c) Moses was allowed to see the land of Canaan which the Lord was giving to the children of Israel   (Numbers 27:12a)
d) After he had seen this, he will be gathered to his people (death)    (Numbers 27:12b)

3. Reason why Moses was not going into the Promised Land

a) Moses had rebelled on one occasion
b) This incident took place in the Wilderness of Zin    (Numbers 27:13; Numbers 20:1-13)
c) God had instructed Moses to speak to the Rock   (Numbers 20:8)
d) Moses was angry with the children of Israel
e) He struck the Rock twice instead of speaking to it   (Numbers 20:11)
f) God’s word to Moses
“Because you did not believe Me,
To hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel,
Therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land
Which I have given them”   Numbers 20:12

RESPONSE FROM MOSES

1. Initial Response from Moses

a) He pleaded with the LORD    (Deuteronomy 3:23)
b) He asked to cross over and see the good land beyond Jordan    (Deuteronomy 3:25)

2. God’s Reply to Moses

a) “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me on this matter.”   (Deuteronomy 3:26b)
b) “Go up to the top of Pisgah”   (Deuteronomy 3:27a)
i) Pisgah means “summit”
ii) Mount Nebo is in mind
c) “Lift your eyes toward the west, the north,
the south and the east;
“Behold it with your eyes,
for you shall not cross over the Jordan”   (Deuteronomy 3:27)

3. A sad remark

a) The anger of the LORD

“But the LORD was angry with me on your account,
And would not listen to me”   Deuteronomy 3:26a

b) Acceptance of the LORD’s word

Moses accepted what God had said to him

REVIEW OF MOSES’ LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Did Moses’ Ministry end in failure?

NO!

2. A significant Post-Script entry at the end of Deuteronomy

“10 But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, 12 and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.”   Deuteronomy 34:10-12
a) No other prophet like Moses
b) The LORD knew him “face to face”
c) Signs and wonders
d) Mighty power

CONCLUSION

1. Commencement and Conclusion of Life and Ministry

a) This is Natural
b) This is to be Expected and Accepted

2. Commentary of Life and Ministry

a) Factual
In terms of Deeds and Achievements
b) Faith
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him”   Hebrews 11:6

3. Challenges Continue

a) To learn vital lessons from the past
b) To learn from the distinctive life of Moses