Knowing what is ours to do

View of the Promised Land

from Mount Nebo, Jordan

Theories differ as to why Moses didn’t cross over into the Promised Land with his people. He had been guiding thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of grumblers and complainers for 40 years.

They complained about lack of water, and God gave them water. They complained about not having food, and God gave them food. They complained about Moses' leadership, and God strengthened Moses’ ability to lead. For forty years.

Some theorize Moses was being punished for his temper – like when he threw down the tablets with the Commandments on them. He was angry at how quickly the people had reverted to the pagan practices of their slavery days.

Others feel Moses had completed his job. There was simply no need for him to travel any further. His contract with this group was over.

I think it was God putting a reassuring arm around Moses' shouder and saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Here, take a look at where your people are going. And you, Moses, got them here. You guided and nurtured and encouraged them till they grew in readiness – prepared mentally, spiritually, and physically – to go forward under Joshua’s leadership. You have done a great job. I know it wasn’t easy most of the time. But here are the results.”

Traveling with the Carroll - Fischer Holy Land trip, we stopped at Mt. Nebo in Jordan, from which Moses is believed to have viewed the Promised Land. It presents quite a view in all directions.

I had always imagined their trek was mostly flat – through land like the desert in Arizona. Not so. Those escapees had a lot of ups and downs, mountains and sand dunes, to traverse during those four decades. Their route wasn’t at all simple or direct.

So perhaps one lesson for us is to discern, like Moses, what God has given us to do, and to do it to the best of our ability; and to discern what God has not given us to do, and to let whatever-that-may-be go with grace and peace.