That is Enough

Today's reading - Deut 3-4; mark 11:20-33

At that time I pleaded with the Lord: “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”
But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. (Deuteronomy 3:23-27)

Sometimes I read scripture and miss the simple messages that are there. Maybe I am distracted or just plain dumb... ok, don't say it :-). The children of Israel have completed their time of wandering and Moses is giving them their final instructions (the rest of Deuteronomy) before they cross the Jordan River and receive the promise of a home. Without a doubt this was a time of celebration, but also a time of fear and for Moses... regret.

It would seem that even after all this time had passed, that he would have come to terms with the fact that because of his disobedience, he would not be allowed to cross over and see the Land. But, we read in Deuteronomy 3 that he was still hoping against hope that God would change His mind. (we have seen Him change His mind severaal times, so maybe Moses thought He might do that in his case) In verses 23-27, we see him pleading his case to God... "Let me go over and see the good land". Seems like a reasonable request from a man that had given his entire life to serving God and caring for His people. Doesn't it?

If I were Moses, I would probably get upset and start talking about fairness. (revelation about me) As humans, we are all about what is fair. Our sense of fairness is based on our own experience. So, let's think about this... 1. God had taken care of Moses for all these years, 2. God had given him victory over his enemies, 3. God had worked amazing miracles through his hands, 4. God had given him a long life, 5 and on and on. What is fair? Does getting everything we want make God fair? Does not getting everything we want make Him unfair? Does getting what we deserve make Him fair? Does God even have to be fair? Questions worth thinking about....

In this case, God says to Moses, "That is enough, do not speak to me anymore about this matter". He had heard all He wanted to hear from Moses about this matter. He says, My mind is made up, let's move along to another topic. Had Moses been disobedient? Yes. Had he been unfaithful? Yes. Had God shown him mercy? For sure. Fair? Absolutely, God is always fair. We see bits and pieces and make judgements. He knows everything, He sees everything and He knows what is right. But He is also merciful... Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. He says to Moses, I will show it to you. Even though you won't get to go there, I will let you see it.

It must have been a moment filled with every emotion. Standing on top of the mountain, looking at what God had promised His people. Filled with joy to know that the days of wandering were over. Knowing that your friends and family were finally home. Sorrow of knowing that they would go without you. Sorrow to think that your sins had prevented you from getting in on the reward. Moses must have had many thoughts pass thought his mind as he made the climb up the mountain and saw the Promised Land. (read Deut 34)

So what is our lesson in all of this? What do we get from this story? 1. We face consequences from our actions... definitely. 2. God is generous... absolutely. 3. God is fair... unquestionably. 4. Even when we are unfaithful, He is faithful... yep. 5. Does He sometimes get tired of our whining... seems that way. 6. Does He give us more that we deserve... you know it. 7. He is God and we are not... truth! May we gain wisdom and understanding as we travel through the wilderness with Moses and make the last hike up the mountain to see what God has in store for us. Blessings.